SLOW COOKING OUR EXISTENCE?
We need not accept the harm that we are inflicting on ourselves and the planet.
Source: https://data.giss.nasa.gov/gistemp/maps/index_v4.html. Courtesy of Wikipedia Creative Commons
The rise in global temperatures is hard to ignore. Fires, powerful and unprecedented storms, massive and extended drought, rising sea levels, animal and plant life dying off, increasing political upheaval in severely stricken countries... All the signs of global warming and a changing climate are visible to all. Humanity is affected by these catastrophes through pain, suffering and the heavy cost of repairing damaged infrastructures and economies. Our international, national, and local budgets continue to demand extra funding to deal with the magnitude of the damage from greenhouse gases that fuel the heating of our atmosphere and hydrosphere.
Politicians benefitting from contributions and outright bribes from the producers of these planet-warming gases are failing to take action to keep us from disaster. How do we best get their attention?
How should we approach those who refuse to see what is happening to the planet?
The weaker nations and peoples suffer the most. How should we approach those who refuse to hear the cry of the victims of these disasters?
In the United States, a country that normally tries to take the lead in addressing global-class challenges, progress is still hampered by short-sighted politicians held hostage by those in the fossil-fuel industry. Smart, educated people, who should know better, still accept the propaganda from those who produce global warming gases. In my inbox I receive “studies” from friends who are unable to wean themselves from political propaganda and who continue to support the fossil-fuel industry. Those resisters are sometimes basing their decisions on the performance of stocks in the fossil fuel sector and do not recognize that any short-term gains in their portfolios are not going to help us avert the deterioration of the planet and life as they know it.
The European Union is not standing idle in combating climate change. The EU Parliament has acted and produced legally binding targets to increase the production of renewable energy. This shift from fossil fuels is laudable, though it may not be enough or soon enough. It will require 42.5% of EU energy to be from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030. This measure did not win a unanimous approval and there are still political hurdles to overcome before the final bill enters into force. Nevertheless, the EU is tackling the issue head on.
To stop and reverses global warming, we must promote green fuels and green energy production. And we must do so for the sake of ourselves and our descendants. Let our descendants not look back at us as the creators of the hell in which they will live.
The following article, EU Parliament passes bill hiking renewable energy targets, gives more details on the progress being made by the EU.
Together, working for the long-term health of the planet we can shift away from fossil fuels and create a better future for us and those who will follow us.
Another on point article.
That is commendable on the part of the EU. I read the piece and am impressed with that large majority who voted in favor.
I am astounded at the short sightedness of American lawmakers but I also see the greed and power plays behind that ability to do what is healthy for the planet. I am angry with people who , as you noted, look only to their stock portfolios for advice on what is good for humanity. I have gotten so discouraged and saddened by those attitudes.
I mostly feel helpless to make any change. Sure, I do the things that I can do but even I get sucked in by the corporate presence. it's really hard not to in the world today. For example, I mostly walk or ride my bicycle to do errands and, for longer excursions, I drive a hybrid vehicle. But I could depend entirely on public transportation. It would be very difficult and time consuming since I live in a small town with limited access to public transportation but it COULD be done. Sigh. Or, I do shop locally but local is limited so , yes, I shop Amazon for the convenience. But there are other ways. Whatever. You get my drift.
Thanks for posting the EU article. There is a ray of hope there. In some part of the world , some powerful people are paying attention.