Choices

Climate issues are new to me in terms of training and background. Beginner’s mind is a perpetual state. It does mean that there are plentiful resources to educate myself - and one of the best is Yale Climate Connections. Some weeks there are tales of doom and gloom but there are also many positive stories that point us in good directions.

A recent article suggests three options going forward

• Countries can work together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to decrease global warming

• Governments and other organizations can do what they can to protect the livelihoods of those affected by the changes that are already happening and we can’t prevent them

• We can ignore the need to change and deny the problem. Our children and our ecosystems

  will pay the price

Their chart shows the seriousness of the consequences. The planet’s temperature is increasing because of human action. We can’t reset the thermostat.

Some of the risks seem unstoppable. The efforts have to be long term and sustainable. There are clearly economic costs but there are also encouraging signs that renewable energy is more viable and more accepted. While the US is the largest emitter of greenhouse gases, Canada is far from innocent. Our first nations people can teach us much about thinking of the generations to come rather than remaining fixated on our own comfort and welfare.