A Hurricane Damaged House

( Climate Change Makes Hurricanes Stronger)

Can we trust our politicians to have our best interests at heart?

In an act of exceptional stupidity, the leader of the opposition in the British Parliament has said that the Conservatives would repeal the Climate Change Act if they won the next election. This Guardian article quotes the chief executive of the UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association which represents finance institutions with £19 trillion pounds in assets. “The green economy is the second fastest growing sector globally. We cannot afford to dismantle this landmark law. The Climate Change act mandate gives investors the confidence to back the UK’s green economy.”

The President of the United States of America called Climate Change a “con job” in a recent speech to the United Nations according to PBS News.

The same organisation has spoken about Trump’s actions since coming to office “Experts say Trump’s moves to step away from global climate action, ramp up domestic oil and gas production and remove incentives for electric vehicles are worrisome as the planet continues to heat up.” His actions regarding America’s beautiful National Parks might also be called worrisome although perhaps that is not the word I would use.

Some governments are wavering

Even the EU, which until recently has been very proud of its green policies to protect the environment, is “moving away from its green agenda,” according to the Olive Times.

There are many other politicians globally that are making alarming statements and passing laws that put our futures at serious risk. One prominent example is President Lula of Brazil who initially set to with a will to save the Amazon rainforest, but who now seems to be heading in a different direction. Of course there are politicians who truly care, like the new leader of the Green Party (in England and Wales), Zack Polanski. There are others.

Right now though, it is very easy to lose faith in our politicians. They seem unable or unwilling to commit to dealing with Climate Change. Their populations have a different view.

A recent global survey showed that over 80% of the world population want their leaders to take stronger government action on the climate.

Are we on track to meet our global emissions targets by 2050? Current commitments made by governments fall far short of the targets. If there are inadequate emissions reductions, we will be heading for about 2.5° C of heating by 2050. That is not good.

The UN shows effects on our climate at varying degrees of warming. At over 2° C warming they say “2.3 billion people would be exposed to deadly combinations of heat and humidity at least annually… droughts in Europe will more than double…. All the world’s tropical coral reefs will disappear… Animals will go extinct, sea ice will melt and food supplies will be at risk…”

We really don’t want to go there.

What Do We Need from Our Governments?

My belief is that we need them to commit to a vision of the future that will meet the requirements of generations to come. That is not the only thing. We need certainty on our path forward, and laws that encourage investors to commit to a low carbon sustainable lifestyle. It is important to know that our politicians will stick to their word, and we need to see actions that uphold that word. That includes the removal of fossil fuels from our energy mix, the fast-tracking of renewable energy, and a food system that boosts soil health and encourages biodiversity. And we need global politicians to support each other in achieving a healthier planet.

Do we have examples of what is needed?

Native Americans

The Seventh Generation Principle

This Principle is based on an ancient Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) philosophy that the decisions we make today should result in a sustainable world seven generations from now. The Native American Confederacy and their law (according to this article) has been around for a very long time and may have been a contributing influence to the American Constitution.

As I mentioned in a previous blog, this principle has been taken up in the Well-Being of Future Generations Act in Wales which means that thought must be given to the long-term planning implications of any political act on future generations.

I find this an exciting thought, if we could persuade our governments that they must think of the long-term results of their actions. Probably we could save a great deal of money this way too.

Right now most governments and their leaders seem to be failing in their task of providing a convincing guiding light towards a sustainable future.

Apparently there are eight countries that have already achieved net zero carbon emissions, and whose governments are fairly committed to that principle. Those countries are small, have a limited industrial sector, low carbon emissions and often considerable tree cover.

For bigger countries, especially the industrial ones, it is obviously much more difficult. Many governments have not yet got the message that this is an existential crisis for humanity.

China is trying

Some appear to be making a big effort. China, the world’s biggest carbon emitter appears to be working very hard at reducing its emissions. It seems that from this year those emissions may actually be falling. Their government has made huge investments in wind and solar energy and has a booming electric cars market. There is however still much that can and must be done.

This is the time of year when the UN prepares for its COP30  (Climate Change Conference) to be held in Brazil in 2025. They are presently collecting global governments’ commitments to carbon reductions. This give us a much better idea of how hard governments are working to combat Climate Change.

This article shows that carbon emissions continue to grow in most parts of the world. In spite of the fact that populations want their political leaders to commit to dealing with the situation, their response is very far from adequate.

Chimpanzees (Much loved by Jane Goodall who sadly died this week)

Should our politicians be working towards a more sustainable world?

Jane Goodall thinks they should!

“The health of the planet should be at the heart of every economic conversation.” Jane Goodall.

Can we as individuals make a difference here?

Yes, yes and yes. There is a place for all of us to help create a better future. We need everybody to do what we can, governments, business, private investors, farmers, communities and individuals. Each has their own powerful contribution to make.

Pope Leo XIV, speaking at the Raising Hope Conference in Rome recently called for greater action from citizens the world over on Climate Change, saying there was no room for indifference or resignation.

There are many millions of us and together we could be very powerful. If only we would act.

What can we do?

• If we live in a Democracy we can vote. Find out which party cares most about the Climate and the Environment and vote for them. Help them get into office.
• We must put pressure on our governments to do more. Our children’s future depends on it. These days with voting so unpredictable, politicians need all the votes they can get. Tell them what you think!
• Attend marches
• Write to your political representative and do it regularly
• Write to your Prime Minister or President and tell them to put the Climate at the top of the list
• Attend meetings on the Climate and ask questions
• Talk to politicians in local Councils or organisations. Tell them how important you think the Climate is.
• Talk to potential candidates and ask them what they will do about the Climate. If they are not interested, tell them you won’t vote for them
• Write to people like the BBC and ask them why they are not doing more to educate people about the global situation

There are many more things you can do as an individual. For example talk to shops and businesses about why you will or will not buy from them.

It is clear that many governments are backing off from their commitments to our future. But they need our support to stay in power. It is our route to a better future. TELL THEM WHAT YOU THINK!

To quote Jane Goodall “ The greatest danger of our future is apathy.” There is always something you can do.

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Photos by John Middelkoop, Boston Public Library and Fabiana Rizzi on Unsplash