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"Accounting error"??? You've got to be kidding!!

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.

Comments

Greta said…
This post encourages me to find other ways to cut energy consumption. Some of my small actions so far to help the Earth are to use green cleaning products, change all my lightbulbs to the compact fluorescent kind, and believe it or not, to air dry laundry just like in Trinidad. I wish I could also compost kitchen scraps, but I need a backyard for that.
Austin Trini said…
Funny you should talk about air-drying laundry! I actually thought about that and bought wooden clothes pins like in Trinidad, but then I didn't get around to hanging a clothesline. I thought it would be good for large items that will dry quickly in the heat and breeze of Austin but takes a lot of energy in the dryer (like sheets). I just have to accept birdy poop! I was also thinking of making a list of the small things we can do, like you talked about. Thanks Greta!
Greta said…
Check out http://roomfordebate.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/25/rethinking-laundry-in-the-21st-century/

It even features an article by one of the creators of 350.org, one of the websites you talked about.
Austin Trini said…
Thanks for link! I took a read and we definitely don't have some of the issues some others have. Where I live, we have fences, so I could deface my backyard as I see fit! I liked the umbrella-type portable clothes dryer (costs $40-$80) at Home Depot http://tinyurl.com/GreenwayPortableDryer
Tira said…
We have been air drying laundry for 10 years now, and compost all our kitchen scraps, as well as buy local and fresh unpackaged food as much as possible. Have no lawn and entire garden is 100% organic. Many people aren't aware clothes dryers and lawn mowers/leaf blowers actually consume far more energy per household than if they had a gas guzzling SUV. Also lawn chemicals are a huge pollutant-both in manufacture and in run off.
Tira said…
Re "The link between their choices and actions, and the future of the world doesn't exist for them."
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.
Savi said…
Very interesting topic, Sally! As a family, here's what we do: I bicycle to work and the kids walk/cycle/ to school (easy for us because of where we live). We've replaced most of our lightbulbs with energy-saving bulbs. We recycle and compost - the local council now collects compostable material so no need for backyard composting anymore. Also, we've been moving more towards a vegan diet, though not completely as the kids like dairy and chicken and I don't want to force them to give that up. We could do more, though! First up is replacing our ancient, gas-guzzling central heating boiler, hopefully sometime next year.
Savi said…
I agree with Nicole that the developed countries are the worst polluters, but I don't think Trinidad is off the hook. I was shocked by some statistics I saw recently giving the per capita carbon emissions for all countries. Trinidadians emit 38.1 tonnes per capita! By contrast, Americans emit just over half that amount (19.9 tonnes) and the world average is 4.5 tonnes. The figures are from
this article in the Guardian newspaper.
Tira said…
Savi
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?
Austin Trini said…
Wow! What great comments you guys! So first off, we at home, are definitely not doing as much as we should be and one reason is because I have easily slid into the convenience and consumer addiction. I am sad to see that it is spilling into T&T. We use "green" materials on our lawns and carpets, but it hardly seems enough doesn't it?

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!
Unknown said…
Love this post as it helps build much needed awareness. There is lots we can do and this is a great post. We have changed out all our light bulbs to more energy efficient ones. Changed to a tankless water heater and use cloth bags at the supermarket. The last one is easy the most difficult because it is a new habit that must be developed. Sometimes I forget the bags in the car:-( but I am working on making it automatic.
Austin Trini said…
Hey, I know only too well about leaving those bags behind in the car!
But don't worry, it will get automatic and now, my 2-year old reminds me about the bags, :)

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