Thanks for this. I just thought that perhaps a ray of hope comes from China, despite the fact that it’s technically one of the highest emitters. First, they make almost everything we use, so a huge portion of their output is ours. Second, China is a global leader in clean energy technologies. https://amp.theguardian.com/world/2023/jun/29/china-wind-solar-power-global-renewable-energy-leader . They’ve met their clean energy targets 5 years early, and Xi Jinping has promised carbon neutrality by 2060. Yes, they use a lot of coal, but we have to keep in mind that they’re also in a state of Cold War with the US and the West, which hampers their ability to act more boldly. But I think in general, China is a trailblazer, and we can look for examples there of how to make the changes we need. Hell, China would help us here in Canada in a second to transition to clean energy if only we asked.
I feel this and I really struggle with these emotions. Especially in terms of what actions or activities I’m choosing to participate in or not as an individual.
It really has been so depressing to read what’s coming out of COP. Your piece sent our family down a YouTube memory lane of Davos highlights of those who have called out the hypocrisy over the last few years. It all begins to feel hopeless. As you say, anger is not an unreasonable response. Would love to know how and where to vent that anger productively. Comes back to the role and future of democracy, doesn’t it?
"the hope that we can mobilize those feelings and the interests of the many to remake a society in which we collectively insist on a more just, equitable, and sustainable path for all of us."
That's what's happening, David. Expecting a SMOOTH mobilization would be the height of naivete. There are too many conflicting positions to even idealize "smooth". And who's decided that "the feelings and interests of the many" are the driving forces. Sadly, but practically, the lumpy and bumpy process we've got is the one that will work.
Whether or not it will "work in time" is the decision of any forecaster with enough credibility or naivete to take on the task.
Humans will likely survive as a species, but it’s unlikely that liberal democracy’s will or that the infrastructure associated with our current society will continue function.
Even with out climate related disasters, we are struggling to maintain our city’s infrastructure while continuing to stack up huge amounts of debt just trying to keep everything afloat. This is only going to get much much worse as climate related disasters start to stack up. BC spent half a billion dollars fighting wild fires in 2023. It’s unlikely that this is a one time cost.
how long is this going to be sustainable? At the same time we can’t even agree that climate change is happening, let alone agree on the best course of action to deal with it. We are not pulling in the same direction.
That's entirely fair. I don't anticipate it being smooth. But the slower we go, the rougher it's going to be. We aren't prepared for extreme weather, refugee crises, infrastructure collapse, insurance, or worker transition. It's pretty gnarly.
Thanks for this. I just thought that perhaps a ray of hope comes from China, despite the fact that it’s technically one of the highest emitters. First, they make almost everything we use, so a huge portion of their output is ours. Second, China is a global leader in clean energy technologies. https://amp.theguardian.com/world/2023/jun/29/china-wind-solar-power-global-renewable-energy-leader . They’ve met their clean energy targets 5 years early, and Xi Jinping has promised carbon neutrality by 2060. Yes, they use a lot of coal, but we have to keep in mind that they’re also in a state of Cold War with the US and the West, which hampers their ability to act more boldly. But I think in general, China is a trailblazer, and we can look for examples there of how to make the changes we need. Hell, China would help us here in Canada in a second to transition to clean energy if only we asked.
I feel this and I really struggle with these emotions. Especially in terms of what actions or activities I’m choosing to participate in or not as an individual.
This is an important feeling for people to work through and even more important that we do it with kindness for each other.
As things get worse, we’re all going to have to get better at the human skills of bonding and understanding.
More will be asked of those of us who can give and we should make ourselves ready to do so.
It really has been so depressing to read what’s coming out of COP. Your piece sent our family down a YouTube memory lane of Davos highlights of those who have called out the hypocrisy over the last few years. It all begins to feel hopeless. As you say, anger is not an unreasonable response. Would love to know how and where to vent that anger productively. Comes back to the role and future of democracy, doesn’t it?
typo in your titles
Fixed, thank you.
"the hope that we can mobilize those feelings and the interests of the many to remake a society in which we collectively insist on a more just, equitable, and sustainable path for all of us."
That's what's happening, David. Expecting a SMOOTH mobilization would be the height of naivete. There are too many conflicting positions to even idealize "smooth". And who's decided that "the feelings and interests of the many" are the driving forces. Sadly, but practically, the lumpy and bumpy process we've got is the one that will work.
Whether or not it will "work in time" is the decision of any forecaster with enough credibility or naivete to take on the task.
Humans will likely survive as a species, but it’s unlikely that liberal democracy’s will or that the infrastructure associated with our current society will continue function.
Even with out climate related disasters, we are struggling to maintain our city’s infrastructure while continuing to stack up huge amounts of debt just trying to keep everything afloat. This is only going to get much much worse as climate related disasters start to stack up. BC spent half a billion dollars fighting wild fires in 2023. It’s unlikely that this is a one time cost.
how long is this going to be sustainable? At the same time we can’t even agree that climate change is happening, let alone agree on the best course of action to deal with it. We are not pulling in the same direction.
Maybe Hopes and Prayer’s will work?
That's entirely fair. I don't anticipate it being smooth. But the slower we go, the rougher it's going to be. We aren't prepared for extreme weather, refugee crises, infrastructure collapse, insurance, or worker transition. It's pretty gnarly.
"Gnarly"...is a good description of human evolution in both the biological and metaphysical senses.