89% of the global population want stronger action on Climate Change.
I recently wrote a blog discussing an article in the Guardian newspaper. It was about a survey that showed 89% of the global population want stronger action on Climate Change. It seems, strangely, that most people in the survey believed they were in the minority.
Not So!
However, this article is strong evidence that we don’t talk about Climate Change. We don’t talk about it in our families, nor at work, we do it rarely in the press, and politicians seem to do it least of all. (This may be my bias, but worldwide, politicians appear to consider this as an issue low down on their list of priorities.)
Why this silence on perhaps the most important issue of our age? I have discussed this before at some length and I don’t want to talk again about why we as individuals do very little to change this situation. Nevertheless, an article on Climate Silence by Climate Outreach has said that in their opinion “A big part of the silence is the absence of a sense that the problem can be solved.”
Are We a Bunch of Sheep?
Do We Need to Follow the Flock ?
Or can we look for the good news and act independently? There is so much good news out there that it should give us hope. I can’t say that there is no bad news, particularly with the present administration in the United States being so blind to the situation. What I can say is that if we all get involved and if we all pressure our governments to act, then there is a fighting chance we can make things better. The situation we are in also requires each one of us to make different decisions about our lifestyles, choices that take the future of humanity into account.
So, it is really very simple. If we talk about Climate Change, if we get involved and act, and if we change our lifestyles to something that will in the long run make us happy, then our children have a chance for a better future. It needs many millions of us to do this. But each one of us is important.
The news that gets me up in the morning
Good News – if we look, we will see it everywhere
- “Columbia cuts deforestation by a third as government targets deforestation and illegal mining.”
- Last year Pakistan installed an incredible 22 gigawatts of solar power (that is more than Canada has ever built, and more than the UK has installed in the last 5 years combined!) It is also solving energy poverty at the same time. (Katherine Hayhoe, climate scientist)
- Chinese scientists have made a nuclear-powered breakthrough using thorium. This is a power source that is much safer than the traditional uranium. It can also be found easily, and China considers there is enough available for the next 60,000 years. Apparently, the scientists believe it has the potential to be used in small power generators, potentially opening the door for different uses. Obviously, there is still a lot of work to be done but it looks interesting. You might not like the idea of nuclear, I don’t, but we may need it.
- The EU has voted to criminalise environmental damage by including Ecocide in a European Law. This, they hope, will be used to target the gravest crimes against the environment. The fact that they have recognized this after a long hard fight gives me hope.
- Women’s Empowerment. We know that giving women more power and possibilities will help fight Climate Change. A UN report shows that over the last 30 years women’s rights have improved globally: women in parliament have almost doubled, child marriage rates have fallen, more women have access to maternity leave and other benefits, more girls are in school than ever before, legal protections have expanded. It is still far from perfect, but change is happening.
- Progress on caring for our Oceans. (Do see the new David Attenborough film Ocean if you can. It is quite inspiring.) The UN Conference on the oceans has just taken place in France. Its principal accomplishment was that a number of countries either ratified or committed to ratifying the High Seas Treaty which will help achieve an agreed target of protecting 30% of the world’s seas by 2030. If you watch the film you will see just how important this is for feeding our global population and protecting our environment.
- A report by Rewilding Britain shows that Nature is our best solution in the fight against Climate Change, and suggests that 12% of the UK’s carbon emissions could be captured by restoring landscapes over 30% of Britain. Rewilding projects are increasing all the time globally.
- For example a wonderful rewilding project in central Kazakhstan is restoring 750,000 square kilometres of land that is allowing the population of Saiga antelope to blossom and plant life to recover. All of which helps reduce carbon emissions and increases the health of the land.
- In addition Nestlé has recently announced that their largest brand Nescafe last year sourced 32% of its coffee beans from farmers using regenerative farming, significantly reducing their carbon emissions and improving the health of their soil.
- Cities are fighting back too!
Green Cities Working to Reduce Emissions
Have a look at the C40 Cities if you haven’t before. It is very exciting. This is a group of major cities throughout the world that are collaborating to create a better and more environmentally stable future. The mayors of these cities are working together to learn from each other about raising climate ambition and increasing awareness globally.
What Can We Do?
As I said, the news about the challenges facing us is certainly not all good. On the other hand, there is plenty of progress, both in countrywide ideas and in smaller communities.
The other good news is that WE can influence what happens. We may feel small but we can make other people think differently, we can use our purchasing power, we can improve our lifestyles, and we can vote. All we have to do is educate ourselves so we really understand the situation, and then ACT.
If you would like advice on how to do this, please contact me. I would be happy to help.
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Photos by Kristina Flour, Andrea Lightfoot and Danist Soh on Unsplash