Here we are, staring at the barrels of another dry, hot, smoky summer and fall. we already have record-setting heat 90- and even. with 100 degree temperature Recorded Plus our first red flag warning, yet it is only the beginning of April. Snowpack is melting weeks earlier than last year, and is one of the lowest in 70 years. Our atmosphere is accumulating carbon dioxide, vested interests are relentlessly backing down against climate action, our democracy is being torn apart by propaganda campaigns and fraudulent politicians, and the fracture between major countries is deepening as we see more Global cooperation is needed.
Fire warnings have already been issued in the Sacramento Valley due to dry and windy conditions. Source: National Weather Service, Sacramento
Despite the many warning signs of climate change, our national leaders seem to be doing… BupcaseAs my grandmother used to say. (Translation: Nothing, nada, zilch.) Our leaders are slowly leading us, our children, and our grandchildren to an increasingly difficult life on a warming planet.
If this frustrates you, you are not alone. Politico conducted a survey of 1,000 adults in 13 countries in December, and they summarized the response: “The world is on fire and our leaders are failing.”
Yes, our leaders are failing us. And in the face of that vacuum at the top, we can become anxious and depressed. The New York Times recently reported on climate anxiety, a disorder that affects young and old people who worry about the future but feel powerless to change it. The author describes a woman who struggles to reduce her emissions while social and economic norms push her in the other direction. She diagnoses her condition: “I feel like I’ve developed a phobia for my way of life.” Others may also feel apathy or resentment about the pressure that comes with so little help. Is it fair to feel guilty for living the way we grew up? Not at all
A video from Gates notes shows that people in this situation can become so frustrated that “moral license” leads them to behave counter-productively and generate even more emissions than usual. Does this resonate with anyone? It’s a small, defiant victory to crank up the engine of a big SUV, turn the heater up, and eat a giant hamburger or steak. And you know what, we all have to be careful.
But… to the extent that you can channel that frustration and anger into productive actions, it can do a world of good. The latest IPCC report (yes, there is one more!) has a chapter on the impact of consumer behavior on emissions trajectories for the first time. You can read Carbonbrief’s summary here. The report estimates that if people take action to reduce their energy use in conjunction with behavioral and technology changes, greenhouse gas emissions could be reduced by 40-70% from baseline scenarios in 2050. The potential impact of “demand-side” changes is particularly large when it comes to the food, transport and construction sectors.
The IPCC reports that when consumers use less energy (LED or low energy demand scenarios), this can significantly reduce the need for decarbonization and our reliance on unproven technology. Source: CarbonBrief
The choices we make and the actions we take make a bigger difference during this energy transition than at almost any other time. Because our politicians don’t agree we want them to take action, our decision to eat less beef, install heat pump water heaters, cut our flights, or commute via e-bike sends a message. . By aligning our actions with our values, we reduce our own emissions and add to the base of economic data that will affect regulations and investments. Rapid growth and investment in plant-based meat, non-dairy milk, electric vehicles – this would never have happened without the proactive behavior of early consumers.
You do not need to spend much for this. You can save money by blowing up and reducing meat, comfortably turning down your thermostat, or going to the gas station less often. The used clothing market is booming. People are starting to consider repairs when buying new electronics, which saves money over time. And these actions can also make you happy, because they have an unmistakable effect.
The paralysis of our leaders due to accelerating environmental damage can leave us frustrated, fed up, anxious, angry, sad and even angry. Furthermore, companies that are making money from the status quo want you to feel hopeless and apathetic. Don’t give them satisfaction. We can align our actions with our values, show that we care about climate change, and slowly transfer our lives to a culture that is easier on our planet. This will help our leaders take action. I am fortunate to hear almost every day from people who are making changes they are excited about. I hope you will try affirmative action.
Notes and References
1. Palo Alto has upcoming workshops on EVs and e-bikes. Mountain View residents can visit this site to get personalized recommendations for reducing your use of fossil fuels, and participate in Earth Day celebrations to learn and try and learn about EVs and more. Acterra is hosting “Eco-Friendly Cuisine Palooza” with great plant-based food and cooking demonstrations in Menlo Park on Saturday, April 16.
Current climate data (February 2022)
Global Impact, US Impact, CO2 Metric, Climate Dashboard
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