You will save the Earth by sharing and/or tweeting (corny right?)
We all know there is merit in having different opinions and ideas, but is climate change really something to disagree over? For any important issue I think it's essential everyone is at least on the same page. Yet, while only 56% of Canadians hold the belief climate change is a product of human activity1, perhaps the most significant support a person can give is to be aware of our changing climate. And as the pragmatic scientists of our age gaze with wide eyes at our civilization as it continues to increase its debt to the planet smoke plume after smoke plume, it entices me to wonder, “Why is it so difficult to convey the credibility of this established scientific theory?”
The Wrong Focus?
We all have that one person in our family (there are a few in mine). You see them approaching at a gathering, solo cup in hand, wearing a smile that says, “I’m looking to instigate.” Your stomach tightens as you brace yourself for the sarcastic question you know is coming: “So, how’s all your tree hugging going?”
They have set the bait; it’s just up to you to decide whether to take it. At this point, you you have two options: Avoid confrontation by politely nodding along as they unleash their opinions, or engage in a heated debate that ends in uncomfortable silence at the best and upturned tables at the worst.
Neither of those options is appealing. But, there is a third, one that can lead to a far better outcome.
Today, we are facing a serious global challenge wherein everyone should be aware of climate change. It affects you, me, our loved ones and the future generations. We only have one planet to live in, one home, which caters all our needs. Certainly, it is a privilege to be in an environment accurately conducive to live in; thus it should not be taken for granted.
This fall, world leaders will gather in Paris at the 21st United Nations Climate Change Conference. Climate experts see this as a critical meeting that could make or break our chance at fighting climate change. As it stands, 34 nations have submitted their INDCs (Intended Nationally Determined Contribution). Japan, a top emitter of greenhouse gas emissions and the 3rd largest economy in the world, home of the Kyoto Protocol, has ignored the end-of-March deadline. So what’s the hold up?
Most of us know about the relentless California drought, at least in passing – we’ve seen the harrowing before/after pictures, heard the pleas of the mayor to the city to use less water, read about the lowering of the water table and the dry reservoirs. The incredible severity and length of the current drought are incontrovertible – California is entering its fourth year of record-breaking low rainfall and high temperatures, and this past year has been the state’s hottest and driest. This problem is unbelievably urgent – only twenty percent of the state’s water requests stand to be met by the state’s water management system for 2015-16.
Spring is slowly creeping up upon us and with it comes the hidden “treasures” that winter has covered up. These treasures range from a whole assortment of garbage and recyclable objects. Now just like the spring cleaning one embarks on inside one’s home, outside the home is no different. It is time to get your clean on, Earth scale.
In the United States, the average individual produces around 2 kg of garbage a day, equating to around 725 kg for the year (Environmental Protection Agency 2014). Canada’s annual per capita total is slightly higher with 729 kg of waste generated (Giroux Environmental Consulting 2014).
How do you define love? If you ask me, love is selfless to that point wherein one would give everything without asking anything in return. Being generous demonstrates love. When we love, we continuously express affection and care to show what we truly feel. We help our loved ones become better persons. Also, we do not wish them harm; instead, we protect and provide for them. Have you experienced this kind of love? I have. I feel the love of our Mother Earth.
Canada’s premiers are meeting up in Québec City on April 14th to discuss climate change issues. This is an opportune moment for the public to show up with their message: YES to climate protection, NO to expanding Canada’s tar sands and pipelines and YES to just, green, renewable energy.
If you agree with this message please join in the march on April 11th, 2015 at 1PM in Québec City. Buses are being provided at a range of locations which you could organize to be on, for more details check out: http://act-on-climate.ca/transport/
Can you ever think of a day in your life wherein you didn’t need electricity? Maybe just when you had camping trips when you were a kid. But then your flashlights still needed batteries and even your walkie-talkies to communicate with other campers. Electricity was one of the best inventions that everyone should be thankful for. Thank you, Benjamin Franklin for flying a kite on that certain day!
In the 1980’s numerous universities and other institutions around the world did away with their investments in South African companies in response to the brutal Apartheid regime. Those actions helped generate public pressure which ultimately led to the downfall of Apartheid in 1990 and the transition to democracy in South Africa. This is the most famous example of divestment, or intentionally getting rid of stocks, bonds, and investment funds for ethical reasons.
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