Ominous climate change trends
“2019 Doomsday Clock Statement – It is still 2 minutes to midnight.” from The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists 2019 Doomsday Clock Statement concerning the issue of global warming. It is from the Science and Security Board – Editor, John Mecklin.
Before we get carried away with the doomsday word, I see HOPE. I know the threat is here and it is time to wake up. The answer to picking up the pace of decarbonization is through grassroots organizations.
“The existential threat from human-caused global warming is ominous and getting worse. Every year that human activities continue to add carbon dioxide to the atmosphere irreversibly ratchets up the future level of human suffering and ecosystem destruction that will be wrought by global climate disruption. The key measure of improvement on the climate front is the extent of progress toward bringing global net carbon dioxide emissions to zero. On this measure, the countries of the world have failed dismally.
Global carbon dioxide emissions rates had been rising exponentially until 2012 but ceased growing from 2013 to 2016. Even if this emissions plateau had continued, it would not have halted the growth of warming. Net emissions need to ultimately be brought to zero to do so, given the persistence of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere for up to thousands of years. The ominous news from 2017 and 2018 is that world emissions appear to have resumed their upward climb.”
“There is still time to rescue the world from truly catastrophic effects of climate change. For such a rescue to become reality, however, progress toward decarbonization must pick up pace dramatically, and very soon.”
Grassroots groups to the rescue = Hope
In my opinion, the way we are going to make the changes we need to lower our carbon emissions is going to come from the people, not the governments. As Margaret Mead said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world: indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
I want to introduce you to one such group. Unify Toronto. Out of a group of people meeting through the Pachamama Alliance, this group was formed. They have organized many outreach efforts and are working with Paul Hawken’s Drawdown. Project Drawdown is the most comprehensive plan ever proposed to reverse global warming by 2050. Drawdown is that point in time when the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere begins to decline on a year-to-year basis. Drawdown Toronto is a group that has been formed this year to bring awareness and action into this part of the globe.
One current challenge coming up is called the Drawdown Eco Challenge. You get to choose your challenge. You can choose from Women and Girls, Materials, Transport, Food, Buildings and Cities, Electricity Generation or Land Use. In each sector there are different options to choose from. They can be a one-time action or something you are going to do daily or as often as you can. Feel free to join our Drawdown Toronto team and play along to make a difference. This is a way to generate more hope.
Another way to get involved is to attend a symposium called Awakening the Dreamer, Changing the Dream. These happen monthly and can be life changing. To register for the next one click here.
Hope to see you either online or in person as we make the changes that mother earth is waiting for.
Hope is still alive,
Charlene
