This past year I think many people have begun to take climate change seriously. Things have happened that are making a big impact on our daily lives.
My neighbor province of British Columbia , Canada, has suffered this year. You know , the beautiful province with mountain scenery and forests. This summer they had major forest fires for most of the summer. Homes and businesses were lost. High temperature records were made. I live in the province to the west , Alberta, and we had heavy smoke for a good part of the summer.
This winter British Columbia has had torrential rain and major flooding. The major highway was washed out in many places. The two railroads were also damaged.
This is one place and it had some very obvious changes and they don't want any more.
Just this year we had a major conference on climate change. You know, the conferences that do nothing! Plans and promises are made but nothing happens to control warming. Most of these plans involve the big guys. Big business. Big industry. Big government. They all look after themselves to make it look like they are doing something when all the time they are creating more schemes to line their pockets. Carbon tax? Carbon trading? These are games to funnel money around.
Individuals have to do their part. Maybe that will bring about change. One thing I would like to suggest is that we have rationing. Let's say rationing on gasoline. Rations that would influence enough so that people would have to drive less and drive smaller cars. At times my neighbor across the street has five vehicles. Two of them are large trucks. This guy drives to Tim Hortons to get a coffee. He makes a special trip to the store for smokes. If we had rationing this guy wouldn't be able to get gas to drive those vehicles.
So it's just an idea I throw out . We have to get on climate change sooner than later.
Hello,
ReplyDeleteI think rationing gasoline would make people angry and crazy here. They would find a way to hoard gas, the stations would run out and there would be long lines. Our car gets good gas mileage and we do not drive every day. Take care, enjoy your weekend.
I don't know what it will take for people to realize that we all have to pull together. There will be things we don't like but that's what working together gives us sometimes.
DeleteThe thing that always puzzles me is that when we accuse big business and inefficient government, as we should, and try to hold them to account, these very organizations are made up of people like you and me. Businesses don't make choices, people do. What has happened to the morality of those who are willing to sanction and encourage environmental destruction? They are our neighbours, yet they are willing to inflict catastrophe on all of us, including their own children.
ReplyDeleteSometimes these people hide behind the business when they ignore the environment.
DeleteI despair. There are so many little things that could be done to put the brakes on climate change but as you suggest - these climate conferences the big guys have are just about pumping hot air. They don't really mean it. Did anybody talk about overpopulation at Glasgow?
ReplyDeleteP.S. You live east of BC - not west. Easy mistake to make.
Sharp eye! You caught me!
DeleteWe sure do. Our poor children and grandchildren! I can see a day when gas rationing will occur. I notice the number of coal mines in the world has increased tremendously in the last few years. Unbelievable really! The only way I can see this end is if someone invents something to recapture the carbon. Waiting for nations to do the right thing means we are doomed. Aren’t I a ray of sunshine today?
ReplyDeleteThe Alberta govt. is proposing new coal mines. This past year has really showed us that climate change is coming quickly.
DeleteIt’s scary. I guess every little bit helps but the will isn’r there for the big changes.
ReplyDeleteYou'd think that some of the large companies could lead in fighting climate change and benefit themselves.
DeleteI agree one hundred percent. It would also help if more communities had better public transit situations. I think rationing gas should be done, maybe it's coming in the future. Hope we will be around to see the world begin to get behind actual progress to deal with this existential threat.
ReplyDeleteThere will be food shortages . I wonder how much we will share? There's a tremendous amount of food wastage now.
DeleteI agree with you that people are just now getting the drift that climate change is real. It's like not installing smoke detectors and then when you're awakened from a deep sleep by smoke in your bedroom from a fire you can't escape and putting smoke detectors on your shopping list. Infuriating.
ReplyDeleteExcellent comparison.
DeleteThat's an even bigger challenge than getting printers to behave - at least the latter can (usually) be solved.
ReplyDeleteIt's going to hurt much more than anything else.
DeleteI really fear that human behavior is not going to change. Eight billion people who all need food water shelter and transportation have a cost that is unsustainable. Our beautiful planet will continue to suffer.
ReplyDeleteYou're right. tTere will be shortages of food and we'll start fighting over food.
DeleteFirst and fussy, last time I checked, Alberta was east of BC. That said, I think there's a lot individuals can do about climate, but they have to have the will and desire to act. Buy less. Waste less. Don't own/drive gas-sucking monster trucks/SUVs like that neighbor. Demand that companies do better in how they produce, package and sell products and hold them accountable for that. Vote in leaders who think long-term and make the climate the foundation for the economy, not an afterthought. Hold them accountable too! It's a start, and if everyone did such things, the power of numbers would move the dial.
ReplyDeleteIt's all as simple as you say but we aren't getting it. Good eye to catch my error! I wasn't thinking or editing was I?
DeleteI agree, not a bad idea at all but I think lots of people will oppose that idea. Freedom of choice, you know.
ReplyDeleteRed, thanks for telling it like it is. Here in Washington State, we experienced some of the same extremes seen in British Columbia. We’ve run into a conflict with human nature. Who wants to do anything about climate change if it means they must give up something they want? Your neighbor across the street sure doesn’t want to give up any of his vehicles. And, of course, he drives the big comfy gas guzzler to go get another box of smokes. What does it take to change these deniers? Well, about a thousand homes were lost in the winter wildfire in Colorado that swept through suburban areas between Denver and Boulder on December 30. I wonder if any of those folks have new thoughts about doing something about climate change?
ReplyDeleteThat fire in Colorado was amazing in that it happened at this time of year. That alone should tell people that there's something wrong.
DeleteRationing gas might help to bring about a quicker change to hybrid, electric, and more efficient fuel burning cars.
ReplyDeleteI have oversimplified my suggestion but there could be other similar things we could do.
DeleteClimate change is one of those things that many people talk about but most do little about it. The conferences on climate change are generally a lot of hot air and excessive use of resources. There are basic things that would help such as what DJan said about improving public transit. People would throw fits if gas was rationed but if we keep up as we have there may eventually be no choice.
ReplyDeleteI think thee will be much turmoil and unrest when shortages hit us.
DeletePurchase products that require minimum recycling, like detergent without a container. Shampoo without a bottle. Put trash in paper bags. You can think of many more.
ReplyDeleteYou've got it. Individuals can do many things to help reduce climate change.
DeleteWe have some very hard choices to make and I don't think many people have realised just how tough this is going to be.
ReplyDelete(I've answered you question about "fens" that you asked on my recent post if you want to check back to that comment).
Thanks. Our wetlands are different here. We have an average of 12 in of precipitation a year. So not many wetlands here.
DeleteI think a much simpler and better way would be to tax the gas so the price is several times more expensive than it is now. People will drive less naturally and the tax money collected could be used to help solve other global warming problems.
ReplyDeletethis would be a much more peaceful option.
DeleteI am not sure what the solution is, every conference they have is wasted time. :(
ReplyDeleteThe thing is that there are so many things that we can do that would help. We just have to get our butts in gear.
ReplyDeleteI do believe we have to all come together and work on this fundamental issue. But unless people are affected personally in a profound way, they don't seem to be paying attention. I don't know what it will take to get people to take this more seriously and take action.
ReplyDelete