writeaboutwarming

September 27, 2009 – Lester Brown is one of the unsung heroes in the battle to mitigate climate change. Founder of the World Watch Institute, and current president of the Earth Policy Institute, he has been at the leading edge of the movement to reduce waste and teach respect for the environment for decades. His most recent book, Plan B 4.0: Mobilizing to Save Civilization, will be reviewed in this blog at a later date. The title, by the way, is not grandiose. It says what it means and means what it says. So my heart was indeed gladdened when I read Brown’s recent article, “On Energy, We’re Finally Walking the Walk.” (I now link to the Earth Policy Institute, where you can find the article in its entirety.) Brown gives us a fact-filled overview of how far we have come in the last two years, and tells readers about the ambitious goals we must set for ourselves to get the job done. What job, you ask? The job of suf- ficiently slowing our production of pollution so that we avoid t...

September 21, 2009 – Last week, I recommended a couple of radio stations to you that broadcast what I believe are important shows about global warming. While I did not discuss Radio Ecoshock, a Canadian program originating in Vancouver with host Alex Smith, I will now. First let me say that Smith does a superlative job of not interrupting his interviewee’s, and of selecting the most important questions in need of asking. Back in June of this year, he hosted a show he called “American Climate Change.” The show was broadcast on June 18, two days after the release of a “State of the Climate – National Overview” report by NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the United States. The report was released, with some degree of fanfare, by Dr.’s Jane Lubchenco, Thomas Karl, and Jerry Melillo. Each made lengthy comments with regard to the various impacts of global warming described in the report. (Let me suggest you visit http://www.ecoshock.org/ if you would care to hear ...

September 13, 2009 – I’ve happened upon a terrific new source of climate change information - and inspiration! - I’d like to share with you. It’s called http://www.climateradio.org/ , and with Copenhagen fast approaching, the time for listening is NOW. The programs originate from England, so for Americans, Climate Radio offers the opportunity to hear what not only the British, but also countries that are part of the EU, have to say about the upcoming climate negotiations. The current program – The 300-350 Show – focuses largely, though not solely, on what are described as Climate Camps. These are places activists can go to learn about climate change and to enact civil disobedience. Described as a grassroots movement, the camps can be found in Europe, North America, and Australia. At some point in the near future I will devote an article to this growing phenomenon. Other programming examines closely the ideals, goals, and fears of representatives from the 200 nations that will par...

September 6, 2009 - In emailing with a friend this week, I was reminded by her of the sometimes infuriating response of people who have willfully remained ignorant about climate change. (An aside: do you sometimes get the feeling that, in the minds of conservatives, anyone who is alarmed about global warming is “just” a tree-hugger and, as such, linked with hippies and war-protestors and lawbreakers and touchy-feely “make love, not war” kinds of stuff? All of which is supposed to provide a good excuse for their obstinacy? Yah – me too.) Not that she responds that way, but I guess members of her family do. I’m at the point of shrugging and saying “Get out of my way, I haven’t got the time for you.” Not particularly gracious, I’ll grant you, but the time for conversation has run out. Arguing with ignorant people is just a waste of time. Those of us who understand what is at stake need to remember the importance of persistence. We’ve elected a good man as President; now our place ...

August 30, 2009 – Speaking of the cancer epidemic: so few people seem to be aware that there is no ONE thing causing the enormous increase in cancer since World War II. Instead, it is the cumulative effect of pollutants and synthetic chemicals unleashed on us and the environment that is causing widespread cancer, not just in our country, but throughout the world. I just read an excellent article on Health.com, and I’d like to share with you some of the very important points they bring up, along with some of my own thoughts on the matter. (The article can be found at http://living.health.com/2009/03/15/how-to-detox-your-body/ , and I accessed it today at 10:17 a.m.) The article begins with rather ominous words, which the author treats in a curiously upbeat fashion: “Every day we put potential toxins into our mouths, breathe them into our lungs, and track them into our homes without ever really knowing where they’ll end up – or how much damage they’ll do when they get there. In fact...

August 23, 2009 – Are you conserving energy at home? It really comes down to a matter of habit, one that we all need to form. All the light bulbs in your home should be compact fluorescent by now. I know, I know: so many of today’s light fixtures require specialty bulbs, which aren’t made as CFL’s. Do what you can: remember your garage lights and your outdoor lights. Turn the lights out when you leave a room (turn off everything electrical when you leave a room!). As you replace worn out appliances, replace them with energy star models. The biggest “gas guzzler” in the house is your refrigerator. Take the time to ask questions when you buy a new one, and make sure the salesperson understands that energy consumption is a major consideration, as far as you’re concerned. Don’t’ put your old model in landfill! Vietnam Vets, or a similar organization, will find it a good home. Don’t use the A/C on days you don’t need it. Some folks just close up the house once it gets hot and don’t...

August 17, 2009 – Optimistic, persistent leadership. The kind that refuses to recognize failure as a plausible outcome. The kind that does not allow “no” for an answer, particularly when the future of humankind depends on “yes.” The kind of leadership provided by people who never, ever give up. Not even when the saltwater is up to their necks in Washington, D.C., and the wildfires are burning out of control in all 50 states. Future generations are calling to us, demanding their right to enjoy the gift of life. We already know that it will be an impoverished existence, lived on a sorely abused planet. There is a great deal that needs doing, and it falls to each of us to do all we are able. Optimistic, persistent leaders will show us the way. Finding them is the first challenge. Fortunately, as we know from very recent experience, inspiring leadership is near at hand. This means we must be watchful and ready to act, not only to enable the inspiring leaders of tomorrow to take their place...