"Almost 80% of the respondents, all from the authoritative #IPCC, foresee at least 2.5C of global heating, while almost half anticipate at least 3C (5.4F). Only 6% thought the internationally agreed 1.5C (2.7F) limit would be met.
Many of the scientists envisage a “semi-dystopian” future, with famines, conflicts and mass migration, driven by heatwaves, wildfires, floods and storms of an intensity and frequency far beyond those that have already struck."
@CelloMomOnCars I usually don't express this kind of emotion in public because I don't think it's a very productive narrative, but....
This feels defeating. I have changed my entire life for climate. I switched jobs, I volunteer WAY too many hours on local activism, I divested my retirement money from fossil fuels, I no longer own any fossil fuel powered appliances. The climate issue demands so much from so few people. We really need a groundswell of support everywhere to kick governments' ass.
You're awesome!
And you're not alone, there are lots and lots like us, from those quietly toiling the local ordinances to those getting arrested for holding up traffic.
Not that long ago, all the lines on that graph were substantially higher, and Carbon Tracker said we were headed for over 3C warming. Because of people like you, they now lie at lower temperatures.
"Most experts (76%) backed voting for politicians who pledge strong #climate measures, where fair #elections take place. The recommendation is powerful in a year when voters in countries including the US, UK, India, the EU, Mexico and South Africa and more all go to the polls."
“The science is there, but the lack of will of politicians worldwide is retarding climate action.”
@CelloMomOnCars It's really cowardly to blame others for our responsibilities. Who chose these politicians? Who travels by plane for pleasure? Who buys multiple cars? Who prefers buying plastic things to pay less? Etc.
We are the only ones responsible for what is happening! Politicians only do what they are asked to do. And we collectively ask them not to change our societies! We demand that they do not do what is necessary to maintain the habitability of the Earth. It's our collective choice!
It's well known that there is more appetite among the public than among politicians who face the powerful (and well funded) lobbies of the fossil fuel industry, the airline industry, the meat industry.
I have seen positive change happen at the local level because ordinary people showed up at town hall and supported the climate action that goes against the wishes of the powerful.
(Not saying you'll be successful every time, but sitting back you certainly can't win).
@CelloMomOnCars This idea comforts us by imagining that the population is not the problem, but the few exceptions cannot make our collective responsibility disappear. We all know that some people are nice, but our way of life is still a failure.
Think about it: 60% of Americans would like to ride a bike (to work, play, shops) but are afraid to do so. In most cities / towns, it's a handful of merchants who insist on the on-street parking that need to be replaced by bike lanes. Doing that replacement takes a council with serious spine.
Doing that would also free a lot of people from that metal box on four wheels.
I've been in those fights. Nothing like that JUST happens. Want to help? Show up at city hall when those kinds of decisions are made. Few people do, so your presence will have an outsized influence.
@CelloMomOnCars The problem is that the majority prefers to avoid any confrontation and agrees to submit. If the average person was like you, the world would be a much better place!
"A sense of despair is understandable, but it robs us of our agency, makes us vulnerable to mis- and disinformation, and prevents the radical collaboration we need.
But we are on the brink of positive societal #Tipping#Points. I believe that the children of children born this year will be the first fossil-fuel-free generation in modern history."
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