Last week, COP 25 at Madrid came to an end without an effective agreement to limit greenhouse gas emissions.
In the meantime, the climate crisis continues to accelerate at rates higher than ever. The alarming evidence is all around us: Zambia’s famous Victoria Falls has been shrunk to a trickle by drought. In May, it was almost 30°C near the Arctic Ocean, as atmospheric CO2 hit its highest level in human history. Santa Barbara, the home of Earth Day, has warmed 2.3°C or 4.1°F since the late 1800s, and now something many scientists have feared the most is occurring — Arctic permafrost (carbon-rich frozen soil) is melting at an alarming rate releasing methane and billions of tons of carbon it contains into the atmosphere.
If ever there was a time for urgent action it was in Madrid. But our leaders have failed us miserably. Justin Trudeau did not even attend!
Developing nations rightfully demanded real goals for GHG reductions in the here and now, while, in the main, developed nations were primarily concerned with fiddly standards regarding carbon offsets.
Federal Green leader, Elizabeth May, a long-time champion on the issue of a sustainable world, has justly criticized the federal government for a lack of near-term climate goals. While Justin Trudeau has committed Canada to carbon neutrality by 2050, he knows he will be long gone from the PM’s office by them. For now, he’s set a target for 2030 of reducing our carbon emissions to 30% of 2005 levels.
But what we really need is a much tougher commitment — so I fully support Ms. May and her Green Party goals to “double down” and reduce Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions to 60% below 2005 levels by 2030.
With the holiday season upon us, my wish is for decisive action on climate change in the New Year, not just for Canada, but for the whole world. That would be the greatest gift of all!
In the meantime, merry wishes to you all for the holiday season. I’ll be back blogging early in the New Year, so “talk” to you then!
Have you signed and shared my petition on the Empty Homes Tax? Please do, so that Vancouverites can find the housing they need!
Daily atmospheric CO2 [Courtesy of CO2.Earth]
Latest daily total (Dec. 12 2019): 411.80 ppm
One year ago (Dec. 12 2018): 408.64 ppm
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