Wednesday, May 09, 2007

Consumption: A Big Role in Climate Change

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recently published their report on the costs and benefits of various methods of offsetting the rise in greenhouse gas emissions, which are up 70% isnce 1970. The IPCC chair, Rejendra Pachauri, told reporters: "Human society as a whole has to look for changes in consumption patterns." BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | Climate change 'can be tackled' Well, thank goodness consumption is no longer the elephant in the room! Changes in how we transport ourselves, what we eat, what we build, and what we buy must be made to reduce climate emissions. Now, will the government listen???

Things are looking considerably better than at this time last year, before the Step it Up movement rallied support around the magic number of 80% emissions reductions from 2000 levels by 2050. Decision makers around the US are joining the chorus of voices signing loudly for solutions. For a look at the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment, click here, and also see what US mayors have been up to. I am cautiously optimistic, how about you?

1 comment:

Addison Lande said...

we need to leave in ten minutes. i have not felt like this in a long time. it is not exactly a "good" feeling but what is? we can't attain happiness through consumption. the only way is to avoid the ways of death, the deadly mindsets:

"if it can't be completely known, it won't be known at all."

"if it can't be completely free, it won't be free at all."

"if it won't be the same when i decide to change, i won't change at all."

these are dangerous. they infect. i am afraid of infection. i've seen them in my past and in my family. i see them in myself. i catch them and hold them and then take them apart. there's a thud in the house and once i have received a response, "yes it is okay I am okay" i go back to what i am doing.