This is a tough issue for me. In reality, the science speaks for itself. Global warming is real. Humans contribute to it. You can argue about the degree to which we continue, but you can't rationally argue that there is no contribution, nor can you rationally argue that it's not a big deal.So instead, global warming deniers are not relying on reason. They're relying on propaganda and emotional arguments. They're relying on mocking the science and using such buzz words as "alarmist."
And they're quite good at this.
So we have to be clear: it's not just about getting the science and the information out there. It's not just about winning the argument. It's about winning the argument in a way which is clear and obvious to people and hits them not just on an intellectual level, but an emotional one as well.
And in doing this, we need to present clear and simple alternatives for everybody.
The thing is that, to an extent, we're succeeding at this. Retailers are finding that if they promote their eco-friendly nature that it's profitable to them, so they're trying to change their image by becoming better corporate citizens. People are using the phrase "carbon footprint" in everyday language. This is all good.
But it's not enough. We need to truly transform how we look at this planet and how we interact with it and we need to find a way to do so which doesn't so much lecture people as encourage them to change in their own way. I constantly see people who want to find a better way of doing things, but don't have the resources or the tools to do so. We need to help them find those tools. Low-energy light bulbs and fuel-efficient vehicles are a start, but that's all they are. We shouldn't be thinking of 50mpg as fuel-efficient. We should be thinking of that as the absolute minimum standard for fuel efficiency. Until we change that mindset, we're not going to really solve the problem.
3 comments:
There's something I always wonder about.-I hear enviromentally minded people talk about recycling,driving more fuel efficient cars,using better light bulbs and other little things like that.-Isn't the real problem overpopulation?-How come nobody talks about that?
Couldn't agree more and I think that there is no better way to encourage a response, especially an emotional response, from the few left questioning the validity of the climate crisis than to witness as tens of thousands of Americans come together this Saturday, the 14th, to call for action that solves global warming.
What's going on in Montpelier:
Step It Up 2007
Who: Senator Bernie Sanders, VT Senate President Peter Shumlin, Burr
Morse, and other local business owners, the Association of Vermont
Recyclers, National Wildlife Federation, Vermont National Resources
Council, and the Vermont Public Interest Research Group.
What: The state's largest Step it up action with hundreds of
participants, exciting speakers, excellent visuals, music, free creemees
and more! Over 1200 events have been scheduled nationwide and over 60 in
Vermont to demand our leaders 'Step it Up' by pledging to cut carbon 80%
by 2050.
When: 12p.m. - 4p.m. Saturday, April 14, 2007
Agenda:
12:00 Morse Farm - 1168 County Rd - Montpelier
Guided nature walk, sugaring demos, Free Creemees and more!
1:00
first-hand accounts of how global warming threatens Vermont' skiing,
fishing and future from Burr Morse, local fishing guides, sports-store
owners, and high school students.
2:00 **Excellent Visuals**
Hundreds of attendees will March to the State House lead by
performance artist/percussionist the Junkman.
3:00 Vermont State House State Street - Montpelier
Speeches by Senator Bernie Sanders and Senator Peter Shumlin. Both
leaders will sign a giant pledge committing to support legislation that
can achieve 80% by 2050 cuts in carbon emissions
Where: Morse Farm 12p.m.-2p.m., and the VT State House 2p.m.-4p.m.
Why: Vermont and America's emissions of Greenhouse Gasses are on the
rise. Recent Reports from the IPCC and dozens of other peer-reviewed
research studies have said that if we do not cut carbon emissions 80% by
2050, Vermont and the planet's climate will pass a tipping point from
which it will never recover. But change is possible. Legislation
introduced by Senator Sanders and Supported by Senators Leahy and
Congressman Welch has the potential to cut America's climate foot-print
80% by 2050. And while action to-date is insufficient, the VT
legislature is debating 2 bills, S.94 and H.520 with the potential to
achieve cuts in global warming pollution in-line with the 80% goals. In
response, an unprecedented number of Vermonters are speaking out,
stepping up and making it known that they support action at the local,
state and federal level to cut carbon and avert a climate crisis.
Couldn't agree more and I think that there is no better way to encourage a response, especially an emotional response, from the few left questioning the validity of the climate crisis than to witness as tens of thousands of Americans come together this Saturday, the 14th, to call for action that solves global warming.
What's going on in Montpelier:
Step It Up 2007
Who: Senator Bernie Sanders, VT Senate President Peter Shumlin, Burr
Morse, and other local business owners, the Association of Vermont
Recyclers, National Wildlife Federation, Vermont National Resources
Council, and the Vermont Public Interest Research Group.
What: The state's largest Step it up action with hundreds of
participants, exciting speakers, excellent visuals, music, free creemees
and more! Over 1200 events have been scheduled nationwide and over 60 in
Vermont to demand our leaders 'Step it Up' by pledging to cut carbon 80%
by 2050.
When: 12p.m. - 4p.m. Saturday, April 14, 2007
Agenda:
12:00 Morse Farm - 1168 County Rd - Montpelier
Guided nature walk, sugaring demos, Free Creemees and more!
1:00
first-hand accounts of how global warming threatens Vermont' skiing,
fishing and future from Burr Morse, local fishing guides, sports-store
owners, and high school students.
2:00 **Excellent Visuals**
Hundreds of attendees will March to the State House lead by
performance artist/percussionist the Junkman.
3:00 Vermont State House State Street - Montpelier
Speeches by Senator Bernie Sanders and Senator Peter Shumlin. Both
leaders will sign a giant pledge committing to support legislation that
can achieve 80% by 2050 cuts in carbon emissions
Where: Morse Farm 12p.m.-2p.m., and the VT State House 2p.m.-4p.m.
Why: Vermont and America's emissions of Greenhouse Gasses are on the
rise. Recent Reports from the IPCC and dozens of other peer-reviewed
research studies have said that if we do not cut carbon emissions 80% by
2050, Vermont and the planet's climate will pass a tipping point from
which it will never recover. But change is possible. Legislation
introduced by Senator Sanders and Supported by Senators Leahy and
Congressman Welch has the potential to cut America's climate foot-print
80% by 2050. And while action to-date is insufficient, the VT
legislature is debating 2 bills, S.94 and H.520 with the potential to
achieve cuts in global warming pollution in-line with the 80% goals. In
response, an unprecedented number of Vermonters are speaking out,
stepping up and making it known that they support action at the local,
state and federal level to cut carbon and avert a climate crisis.
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