Lost somewhere amidst the swirling torrent of news surrounding the current COVID-19 madness lies another disaster, lurking just beneath the surface as our society grapples with a major crisis.
If you are familiar with the way the news industry operates, it is easy to see why one issue is ignored in favor of covering the more immediate threat. Still, this problem demands discussion.
In my last post, I explored the means and the reasoning for conspiracy theories without dwelling on a singular one of them. I intend to do that today.
The issue of climate change has been discussed ad-nauseam for the better part of twenty years and has mostly devolved into the same brand of partisan bickering that has plagued Washington for generations. That approach remains counterproductive. When we cannot discuss common issues we face without the rage of name-calling and defensive posturing, we dismiss the commonality we all share.
For the last few weeks, we have largely set aside our differences to embark on a united quest to defeat the virus that still ravages our nation and world. That is an encouraging development, but problems don’t disappear because we happen to be focusing on a bigger and more immediate threat.
The various means of combating the climate issue have been scattershot at best, largely hinging on a vocal faction of internet provocateurs and political mudslingers. Because of these disparate actions, the discussion has become sloppy and unfocused.
By now, I assume that I don’t have to explain the science behind the reality of climate change. Either for or against action, most of us understand at least the fundamentals of how the system operates.
We have only one home. And we must act to protect it.
It is time for the debate to move beyond whether climate change is a real issue. The events of the past few years have made a striking case for the obvious. There exists a litany of possible tools we can use to make a sizeable dent in our carbon emissions. Whether to score political points or to gloss over a lack of knowledge about the issue at hand, politicians on both sides have turned to sound-bites and conspiracy theories in an effort to defeat the discussion itself.
While our Congress stands resolute in the fight against the coronavirus, we need to collectively demand they get to work on real solutions for climate change. There are bills moving through committees as we speak, some stronger than others. One potentially bipartisan bill hasn’t garnered the attention it deserves. This plan calls for a fee to be imposed on carbon-based energy sources, to be redistributed to taxpayers in an effort to encourage investment in clean energy sources and carbon sequestration initiatives. This idea brings the fossil fuel industry in on the solution.
Climate change seems to be all bad news lately and its weight can become overwhelming if we let ourselves succumb to defeatism.
The good news is that we don’t have to sit around and wait for Congress to pass laws. There are a variety of measures we as citizens can use to protect and preserve our one home. I will list a few of the more meaningful devices here in no particular order.
-Drive less. Combine trips. Work from home if you can. Take mass transit, ride your bike, or walk if possible.
-Demand more efficient vehicles when you visit the dealer. Ask about hybrids and electric vehicles.
-Eat less meat. Even substituting pork or chicken for steak once a week can have a profound impact. Look for locally-grown produce.
-Plant more trees. Carbon Dioxide provides fuel to trees to flourish, but it doesn’t plant them itself.
-Beware of power vampires in your home—devices that still use electricity even in power-off mode as long as the cord is plugged in. Look for the Energy Star logo when shopping for appliances.
-Limit single-use plastics. Leave the flimsy plastic bags at the store and bring your own hemp or canvass bags that are more durable and carry more groceries.
If everyone used these common-sense approaches, we could make a sizable dent in our carbon emissions.
Combating climate change will be expensive, but not as expensive as doing nothing. I liken this reality to a household water heater. Imagine, for instance, that your water heater seems to be malfunctioning, so you call a plumber to inspect the unit. He tells you that you need to replace it. Do you ignore him or her because of the cost, or do you take the advice from the professional knowing that the equipment could explode and cause twenty thousand dollars-worth of damage?
The vocal crowd of online deniers often cite some fringe conspiracy to draw attention away from the issue. Claims that all scientists and world governments have secretly banded together to impose hefty taxes and indenture the working-class have circulated online for years and remain bogus. Science revolves around asking questions, not deciding on an agenda. The only agenda is to protect our world. Improving our home should not be a partisan issue.
Don’t be fooled by the doubters, many of which have their own agenda. Listen to climate experts and scientists instead of politicians and television personalities who don’t have your best interests at heart.
The pandemic we battle today can provide a road map for beating back the climate problem. While it isn’t quite the catastrophe many pundits claim it to be, it is a pressing issue that needs our attention. Doing nothing would likely be costlier and more deadly than the virus. If we can apply the same resolve we focus on defeating the disease to climate change, we can take the steps necessary to make our one home a better place to live for us and our posterity.