What is the accounting error? I'll get to it.
I've been paying attention to what is happening on the climate change scene, on and off over the last few weeks. Imagine my dismay when I read that the laws passed on limiting carbon emissions, omitted or viewed biofuel emissions incorrectly. Essentially, carbon emissions from smoke stacks count, but not carbon released from burning biofuels (e.g. a tree, or from a car using ethanol as fuel). The article makes a reference to this gross mistake as an "accounting error", it has the self-explanatory title of Scientists: Biofuel Laws May Harm Environment. Nice. According to the article, this is how the laws in Europe and in the Kyoto treaty are written. You've got to be kidding me!! And scientists have only realized this now??!!
But what does that have to do with my nieces in Trinidad? Or the roadside vendor who pulled his children out of school so they could beg for money from passing motorists? Not one damn thing.
That society is too busy trying to feed their children, repair flood damage from poorly constructed houses, or too busy aspiring to a "Bmer".
The link between their choices and actions, and the future of the world doesn't exist for them.
Until that happens, they will continue to make short-term decisions. These societies will continue to be a weak link in climate change initiatives.
Too harsh? I'll back off.
Having realized that all carbon emissions should be capped, regardless of source, maybe whatever needs to be corrected will be corrected, by somebody, sometime. And since the UN Conference on Climate Change is in December, maybe somebody will do something by then.
Again, in an effort to raise awareness of climate change, October 24, 2009 is the International Day of Climate Change. In support of that, check out 350.org. What is 350? According to 350 Science, "350 parts per million is what many scientists, climate experts, and progressive national governments are now saying is the safe upper limit for CO2 in our atmosphere." If that is too much reading, check out the cute animation 350 animation Some of the 350 events planned for Austin include a walk, supporting the development of an net-zero development in the Guadeloupe area and a green parade (350 events).
And what am I doing? My action so far to help my planet (besides recycling), is buying large yogurt containers instead of the small ones, to save on packaging...sigh.
I've been paying attention to what is happening on the climate change scene, on and off over the last few weeks. Imagine my dismay when I read that the laws passed on limiting carbon emissions, omitted or viewed biofuel emissions incorrectly. Essentially, carbon emissions from smoke stacks count, but not carbon released from burning biofuels (e.g. a tree, or from a car using ethanol as fuel). The article makes a reference to this gross mistake as an "accounting error", it has the self-explanatory title of Scientists: Biofuel Laws May Harm Environment. Nice. According to the article, this is how the laws in Europe and in the Kyoto treaty are written. You've got to be kidding me!! And scientists have only realized this now??!!
But what does that have to do with my nieces in Trinidad? Or the roadside vendor who pulled his children out of school so they could beg for money from passing motorists? Not one damn thing.
That society is too busy trying to feed their children, repair flood damage from poorly constructed houses, or too busy aspiring to a "Bmer".
The link between their choices and actions, and the future of the world doesn't exist for them.
Until that happens, they will continue to make short-term decisions. These societies will continue to be a weak link in climate change initiatives.
Too harsh? I'll back off.
Having realized that all carbon emissions should be capped, regardless of source, maybe whatever needs to be corrected will be corrected, by somebody, sometime. And since the UN Conference on Climate Change is in December, maybe somebody will do something by then.
Again, in an effort to raise awareness of climate change, October 24, 2009 is the International Day of Climate Change. In support of that, check out 350.org. What is 350? According to 350 Science, "350 parts per million is what many scientists, climate experts, and progressive national governments are now saying is the safe upper limit for CO2 in our atmosphere." If that is too much reading, check out the cute animation 350 animation Some of the 350 events planned for Austin include a walk, supporting the development of an net-zero development in the Guadeloupe area and a green parade (350 events).
And what am I doing? My action so far to help my planet (besides recycling), is buying large yogurt containers instead of the small ones, to save on packaging...sigh.
Comments
It even features an article by one of the creators of 350.org, one of the websites you talked about.
It's well accepted that industrial societies, and esp America and Europe are by far the major polluters and contributors both directly and indirectly to climate change. Developing nations are by far fractionally responsible ( though China is catching up, but even so they consume far less than their share of energy.The US has a small fraction of the world's population but consumes a full 21 % of the world's energy.
this article in the Guardian newspaper.
Well you know Trinis love to follow America LOL. I was shocked to see that so many people are now into prepackaged food, soft drinks, disposable food containers, cutlery etc. It creates the most incredible amount of non-biodegradable garage. No composting etc. they actually dump the animal fetiliser as wastes from farms into the sea, polluting the sea. But the foreign chemical fertiliser companies are active in exporting and selling their polluting chemicals to the farmers. A massive education programme is needed-but how does one undo decades of habit?
Re "The link between their choices and actions, and the future of the world doesn't exist for them.", I made that statement more from an emotional response to the aluminium smelter plant in T&T. I just couldn't believe that they went ahead with it.
Thanks for keeping me on my toes!
But don't worry, it will get automatic and now, my 2-year old reminds me about the bags, :)