Devastating floods in Europe. Temperatures soaring to 45ºC in Canada. Mudslides in Japan. Cloud bursts in India. Floods in New York subways, central China and Uganda, and a sweltering heatwave in Morocco.
No, I’m not describing scenes from a science fiction film or an intro to an abstract report on climate change. This is real life in 2021. Chances are, you have recently seen these either in newspaper headlines, social media feeds, or even from your own home.
We have gone past climate projections, policy papers and arguments. As climate change accelerates and becomes deadlier, cities become more and more vulnerable. We need to move forward with early warning systems, coordinated response work, and of course, bold action to stop the climate emergency from getting worse.
Let’s be be perfectly clear: extractive industry, from fossil fuels to industrial agriculture, is the source of this misery. These industries may try to put the blame on the consumer, but it is their colonial business model which is to blame. Even faced with record floods, droughts, heatwaves and cold snaps, they appeal court orders to drastically reduce their emissions and greenwash with ‘net zero’ offsetting and other false solutions.
We must hold them to account. With 100 days till COP26, we need to tell world leaders to step up and fight to cap global temperatures at 1.5ºC above pre-industrial levels. This is what the climate crisis looks like:
Japan
Bangladesh
Austria
USA
It’s time for all of us to assert our rights, demand climate justice, and a dignified way of life.
Discussion
its not man made
We have been warned about this for at least 30 odd years, has anyone seen the film Aluna ??? No one took any notice. Politicians do not know what to do except blabber on. 1 We require local remedial actions that can be spread world wide. 2 What small actions now will create a better future ? Do not wait for blabbering politions to have constructive ideas. So as a gobby git what am I doing ? 1 I have a cooling system for the house that is a product of the greenery in the garden, yes it has to be grown and that takes time, but the sooner started the sooner effective. 2 I compost all food waste and grow some fruit (the trees are good for cooling) 3 When I have to much fruit I give it away And friends often give me food from their gardens. 4 I use a bicycle as often as possible. 5 I find ways to decrease my reliability on electricity. 6 I have designed a wind assist wingsail for ships ( this is big stuff ) I am also designing and will soon be building a new type of sail for small boats. I have researched this for about 10 months and the increase in propulsion is looking good. Note small local utility boats can be used for transport / fishing. 7 Some planning ahead is wise, like does the locallity possibly require a rescue boat. 8 Should the locality have a total fire ban for the summer months? 9 Know what to do in case of widfires - how to behave and survive. 10 I am viewing pre - electric technology, it is possible that during floods / fires that power supplies could fail. Most people have talents and abilities, now is the time to use them , be inventive, think! Robert