Hello all.
Most of the people who receive these messages are keenly aware of
the dangers facing humans if the rapidly heating climate is not addressed in a
major way in the very near future. The world's leading climate scientists
issued the results of their scientific studies in a special issue of the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report in 2018. This
report stated that the people of planet earth have until 2030 to take the
actions which will result in a 50% reduction in the amount of greenhouse gas
emissions. If this goal is not achieved, the earth will heat more than
1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degree Fahrenheit). This increase in temperature
will move us from bad to terrible relative to the impacts on
humans.
To put this effort in perspective, the reduction in CO2 emissions
because of the economic slowdown relative to the current virus problems is
estimated to be 5% to 8%. In order to meet the IPCC goals we will need to
reduce emissions by approximately that amount every year until 2030.
These goals are difficult but can be reached if the proper actions
are taken. Current greenhouse gas reductions are encouraging, but are
very far short of what is needed to meet the necessary impacts on the heating
of our planet. Plans have been developed for actions that will meet these
greenhouse gas reductions and will also produce millions of new jobs.
Dr. James Hansen, one of the most respected climate scientists in
the world, has co-authored, with Daniel Miller, an excellent piece describing
the proposal on a Carbon Fee and Dividend now before the House of
Representatives (HR 763). I feel the Fee and Dividend approach has the
highest possibility of success of any action now being considered. I strongly
recommend that everyone read the article at the following link. https://thehill.com/opinion/energy-environment/515624-a-socially-and-environmentally-just-way-to-fight-climate-change?utm_campaign=Hot%20News&ut
.
I know many of the people who receive these messages are good
climate citizens. You have reduced your climate footprints by doing all
of the right things. This is great and it is important -- but it is
not sufficient. There is still a vast majority of people who are not
taking any steps to reduce their climate impact. Also, industry and
agriculture are not sufficiently motivated to make the changes needed. In
order to make the necessary changes happen, major actions are required by our
political leaders.
The list of climate effects happening now on our planet is
sobering. The ice on Greenland and Antarctica is melting at an alarming
rate and this has the potential of sea level rise of many feet. Heat
kills more people than any other climate event and rising land temperatures are
causing massive heat waves in ever increasing locations. This heat is
also causing large areas to become deserts. Storms are becoming stronger
and more frequent and severe weather is making it more difficult to raise the
food necessary to feed the increasing populations. Climate refugees are
becoming a major problem for many nations and will get much worse.
Wildfires are becoming more frequent and more devastating. The list goes
on..
It is critical that elected officials understand these threats to
future generations and are prepared to take action to deal with the climate
crisis.
The single most important action you can take to deal with the
climate crisis is to VOTE. The current election is going to be critical
in determining whether the greenhouse gas reduction goals will be met by 2030
and therefore the future climate direction for many years to come.
Please look at all candidates and determine whether they
understand the climate problem and are prepared to take the necessary actions
to send us in the proper direction. We must vote for the best people to
deal with this at all levels of government. In addition to our votes, it
is important to discuss this issue with others and attempt to have them
understand how important this vote is.
For those of you who have attended one of my talks you may
remember my final slide. It states -- " No matter what your cause,
it is a lost cause unless we control the climate crisis." This is
now more true than ever. Climate is, by far, the most important issue of
these times and this election will be critical in determining the future of our
families, our communities, our nation, and our planet.
The climate crisis is real and it is happening now. Please
vote for the candidates who will help us out of the crisis and also encourage
others to do the same.
Stay safe,
Rod
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