Hot on the heels of the news that Justin's folly will now cost taxpayers at least another $1.9 billion comes widespread acknowledgement that we may indeed be reaching the climate-change point of no return. For specific details about this, check out The Guardian and The Mound's post yesterday. As well, Owen's post is well-worth the read.
Also, you can watch the following newscast to get a greater sense of our peril:
Still, our politicos fiddle while the world burns. This is the inevitable outcome of the plague known as captured governments, of course.
There's a piece in today's Guardian by a climate science prof who contends averting climate catastrophe is a question of "power, money and political will." That is the root of the problem.
ReplyDeleteWere we to bring mankind back into harmony with - i.e. within the finite limits of - this planet, it would mean cutting our population by about two-thirds, cutting our consumption by perhaps half, and a radical decarbonization of our societies and economies. Could all of that be done? Yes, of course. Are we prepared to do it? I have seen nothing to indicate we might.
This degree of change would, of necessity, overturn the existing order. Imagine if we were to put the average Somali on an even footing with the average Canadian. That is a net-sum proposition. The have-nots can only be brought up to parity with the haves by sharply diminishing the haves - their consumption, access to resources, etc.
This professor put it all down to "cooperative internationalism" which, given the outsized predicament we've created for ourselves today, is difficult to conceive ever happening. Each nation is experiencing these changes differently to the others. Each nation, therefore, brings an agenda that may be compatible with like-minded states but entirely at odds with countries that have a much different experience.
The have-nots would probably, but not necessarily, welcome the advent of cooperative internationalism. It's the need to reach consensus with the haves that is probably an insurmountable challenge.
I just don't see how we'll get out from under this.
I have become quite the pessimist about the chances of change today, Mound. Your analysis suggesting that we would have to sacrifice aspects of our bloated Western lifestyles is, to me, something that kills the possibility of "cooperative internationalism." When people refuse to even stop idling their cars for environmental reaasons, how can we hope for any kind of real cooperation to avert total disaster?
DeleteTwo guys almost drowned in an elevator last night and the cause of death would of been climate change.
ReplyDeleteApparently we are not safe anywhere
I have been watching online the videos of Toronto's deluge, ffibs. 'Biblical' is perhaps not too hyperbolic to describe the deluge or, if you prefer,'weather event,' with more forecast through Thursday.
DeleteWe know what we have to do, Lorne. But, in Ontario at least, our politicians are celebrating a buck a beer.
ReplyDeleteAnd those who allow themselves to be diverted by such baubles are showing a massive failure of imagination of what would be possible, Owen, if only we had the will.
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