To believe climate change or not to believe

At a recent family festive gathering, I was inclined, over a glass of red, to engage with some of those gathered about the issues of limits to growth and climate change. 

As a passionate reader of the climate science literature and a concerned advocate in my normal circles, I was surprised at the lack of understanding and was faced with the challenge that I was a “climate believer”, which is the alternate term used when one is not a “climate denier”. 


 Now this term sits very uncomfortably on my head, as I no longer believe in the cultural myths from my childhood, including those of red chubby men or bunnies in hats or virgin births. As an adult, I choose not to wear this tag of “believer” of any unknown, rather to define my level of understanding or, in the case of the stock market, open heart surgery, or wine making, my lack of understanding. Pondering on this dilemma, I came across the term “Climate Literate” which I now assume. 


 Certainly, I am literate in several areas, although not always a specialist. I am literate in the English language, and literate in skills to run a small business, and somewhat literate in aspects of the solar industry. Over the past five years, I also have read extensively about climate changes on the planet, both the writings of climate scientists as well as those who deny the climate science. 


 In the future, in such social situations, I will refer to myself as “climate literate” and offer to pass information to those who do not yet have such literacy. It is not now a matter of belief, urban myth, or fairy story that we are influencing the climate - although I do accept that science should always be updating the information and revising as new data comes to hand. 


 Knowledge is knowledge at that time, and facts are the best available based on peer reviewed research done under controlled situations. At this time, in 2012, the most accepted knowledge derived from an overwhelming majority of scientists is that the climate is changing rapidly as a result of our actions, and that this carries significant risks. 


 It is about time that we stopped “believing in fairy stories” and that we all seek to become climate literate, learners not believers, planet carers not climate deniers.


Image Decorations taken by Author 

Act Now and Spread the Word

This week, I attended some of the Sydney Writers festival events, including an evening session in Sydney Town Hall called "You've Been Warned" which was a joint presentation and Q&A by three Authors, Paul Gilding, Naomi Oreskes, and Curt Stager who discussed the issues around climate change and the current political climate where delay and denial are given place.

After the excellent discussions, one of the questions related to what the individual could do to play their part in the changes that are essential and urgent, to at least minimise the impact of a warming planet. The answer that came was good, and pointed to the role that we all have to play in our own communities, but there was no time to elaborate on how.

We all consider these issues when we vote, in choosing what to read, and we listen to others, but that's only part of what we can do. Action is important and that can start anywhere.

We each have a talent, and so that's the first place to start with change. Look at your work, and how that can change. Does you office recycle, or could you suggest lighting improvements? If you are in a trade, how could that change, eg use sustainable paints, or think of your next vehicle in terms of reducing fossil fuel use? Could your factory fit solar panels, or change the hot water system? If you work with others, such as a teacher, or health worker, set an example of how you travel and how you consume.

But most of all, tell others what you are doing and why! Act now, and spread the word. Actions can start small, like turning off devices at night, or taking the bus, or eating less meat. But actions only begin to impact when you tell others, and share what you are doing. A friend recently told me that she only buys wine from her local area, because she knows that it takes so much energy to transport heavy bottles. Each of us can find personal ways to change, and to make a point through individual actions. And speaking about our actions is empowering, and an important part of the process to change the perspective of others in the society.

OPPORTUNITY Knocks

Opportunity knocks once, and if the door isn’t answered, moves on to another door. We all have those moments in our personal histories, where we took on a challenge, or where we sat still, debating whether this opportunity was real, not moving and later regretting.

In 2010, Opportunity is knocking loudly, for the many countries on this planet, that will lead and dominate the future. And we, in Australia (and the US) are still in debate mode.

Thomas L Friedman, quoting Peggy Lui in his New York Times OP-ED, says it all:
“There is really no debate about climate change in China,” said Peggy Liu, chairwoman of the Joint U.S.-China Collaboration on Clean Energy, a nonprofit group working to accelerate the greening of China. “China’s leaders are mostly engineers and scientists, so they don’t waste time questioning scientific data.” The push for green in China, she added, “is a practical discussion on health and wealth. There is no need to emphasize future consequences when people already see, eat and breathe pollution every day.”

And because runaway pollution in China means wasted lives, air, water, ecosystems and money — and wasted money means fewer jobs and more political instability — China’s leaders would never go a year (like we will) without energy legislation mandating new ways to do more with less. It’s a three-for-one shot for them. By becoming more energy efficient per unit of G.D.P., China saves money, takes the lead in the next great global industry and earns credit with the world for mitigating climate change.

So while America’s Republicans turned “climate change” into a four-letter word — J-O-K-E — China’s Communists also turned it into a four-letter word — J-O-B-S.

Do you hear opportunity knocking on your door? Is your business/country in debate mode or are you opening doors to the new energy era?

Climate Change = Opportunity, so fill in the missing letters in your part of the world….
OPPORTUNITY = J-O-?-? .


Pic Ex Flickr OPEN DOOR by yewenyi

The Baton is passed..

This week the world learned of the sudden death of Stephen Schneider, Stanford University Climate Scientist, and passionate advocate for global change. Stephen travelled the world, speaking out, sharing research and debunking theories that had no scientific basis. He also encouraged other scientists to speak about their work, their observations and the potential implications.

I met Stephen on several of his visits to Australia, and was inspired by his enthusiasm for life, and always amused by his humour and witty commentary. He was a man whose physical strength was failing, but his personal energy and passion was still strong and felt by everyone who met him.

There will need to be more than one emerging climate scientist to pick up his baton, so if that's you, then go for it, it's now passed to you..

Image cropped from Original Standford University News 2006

Clean Energy Real Estate: Position = Investment

The latest post on Watthead, authored by Garrett Brennan of Focus the Nation, includes the following:

"If we’re serious about solutions, we need people in power to get serious about investment in clean energy research, development and adoption, and then empower young entrepreneurs with tools to unleash their creativity. Climate change is NOT the defining issue of our generation. After all, today’s ‘millennials’ didn’t put all that global warming pollution up there. But building a clean and prosperous energy economy that averts the risks of climate change—and leading that effort in a way that inspires people in diverse communities across the country to take part in that collective effort—this is the defining issue of our generation."

Across the US, Focus the Nation are organising events for young entrepreneurs, professionals and future energy workers to engage in Clean Energy Forums. These types of movements need to, and will go global, under a variety of locally named and locally driven groups and will be across political boundaries, engaging a generation who already connect using the mediums of social online media.

Many previously prosperous and mature industries would be wise to take heed of the potential wealth to be derived from this creativity and that the "new energy economy" is already happening, in pockets and spaces around the globe. Change is upon us - embrace the change and get serious about opening doors for those who will drive the Clean Energy industries of the next decades, and in doing so, you also open the door to solutions that are needed to adapt and to minimise the risks of climate change.

Picture from Focus the Nation http://focusthenation.org/

Storms of Our Future

Last night, I attended a talk in Sydney by Dr James Hansen, highly awarded scientist and author (see his new book, Storms of My Grandchildren). James has a long career of researching and defining the changes in our climate and is a world authority on this topic.

It was a full house, yet still an informal occasion, where questions were invited. James spoke about the many challenges we face, and he also spoke about some solutions, such as a new Fee and Dividend way of promoting and rewarding energy efficiency. James is among many who are seriously concerned about the global decline in public interest in climate science, while at the same time, the data is showing more conclusively that the planet is warming. His key message was that we need to reduce the CO2 levels to 350 ppm, if we want to pass on a workable planet to the next generations. To do that, James sees that we must generate our power without burning fossil fuels, primarily coal.

For the planet, he spoke about nuclear power generation, but for Australia, he could see a future using renewable options such as large scale solar thermal, because of the ideal conditions for that technology to function.

All that is well known, but one more point came out of the evening, and that was a brief discussion about the need for a "Churchill like" leader, who would engage the world and set a course for the future. And it made me think of a Winston Churchill quote that I came across last week which said “Sometimes doing your best is not good enough. Sometimes, you must do what is required.”

Dr James Hansen is a brilliant scientist, not by nature a public speaker, but he is "doing what is required". And maybe that's a question for us all, "what is it that we can do, that is required for our planet and our common future".

Image : Dr. James Hansen, of NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies, New York. Credit: NASA

Direction --> Money

Truman Semans published an article on Dec 18th, called "In Copenhagen, Follow the Money". In it, he says:

"Few of the Copenhagen negotiators understand economics, investment, and business well, or the contributions business can make to solve the problem, or the policy frameworks that would best encourage business to play this role."

Our focus over the past few months has been to look at what can be achieved by governments coming together to solve the climate crisis. And in some ways, this was a positive step, but mostly, it was a planetary talk fest.

Truman rightly points out that developed countries are unlikely to hand over the sums of money being sought by developing nations, and companies with existing or new IP are not going to give away that technology. So the outcomes being sought were not feasible in the current global political space.

To achieve the vision, the goals of a new energy economy, and to fast track this, business people must step in and drive the agenda. This is already happening in China, India and the US as BLWB's (business leaders without borders) see opportunities for major industries developing in water, waste and energy management. Many corporate partnerships across nations are already in place and more are on the drawing board.

Old money is blocking some of these initiatives, and it's time for them to change direction, or get out of the way. And for governments to support local initiatives that will best meet the needs of this new economy.

In Truman's words: "It is critical that the business community educate governments on the role that they can play and sell them on the enabling policies and financial mechanisms that are needed. "

Copenhagen over, now let's get on with what needs to be done.

2009 - one for the history books

All years are part of history but some stand out more than others - the years when countries announced independence, and the years when some great achievement happened. In a family, we remember the special years when life changed and we look back on our personal achievements at those times. My wish and personal New Years Resolution is that we, as a planet, will look back on 2009 as the turning point in the struggle for the health of our planet.

My hope is that we make the tough decisions to love our global home and that we each resolve to do everything we can to ensure that this planet is functional when we hand it to the next generations. I am heartened by the new global politics the land of the United, and about the people that are being chosen by soon to be President Obama, people like Obama's new science adviser John Holdren, and Nobel Prize-winning physicist Steven Chu. And hopeful that we in Australia are also making what seems like small steps in the same direction.

In this next year, I intend to focus more on entrepreneurship in Cleantech in Australia, to support and promote those who will drive the changes that we need, and my revamped GoBizGreen site now reflects this.
Thanks for reading this blog in 2008, and for 2009 I wish Health and Happiness for You and Your Family and for Our Shared Home.

When nature speaks up, who listens?

Today I attended the National Climate Change Monitoring Symposium at Sydney University, which offered a diverse range of speakers, and a glut of powerpoint presentations. There were, however, some highlights that stood out for me, in particular, the opening remarks of Dr Tony Press of the Australian Antarctic Division who spoke about the changes happening in the chemical composition of the Southern Ocean. He added that one of the biggest unknowns in the IPCC reporting is what is happening in Antarctica. Tony spoke about the dynamics of the deep water ocean in this region and the significance of changes in plankton communities.

Several speakers addressed the changes that were happening in this pristine environment and others looked further north, including to Australia's Great Barrier Reef, home to 6 out of 7 of the world's marine turtles according to Janice Lough. The reef also supports 66,000 Australians who provide services to divers, tourists, and to others who are still discovering organisms in its vast and vulnerable systems.

The day was full of snippets, representing years of study and intense work - often undertaken by dedicated professionals to monitor our planet. It was also a day to listen to why we so urgently need to change our way of living and working, so that the "kids and their kids" will have an Antarctic and a Great Barrier Reef, to visit, to enjoy and to study.


Pics ex Flickr Antarctica Gerlache Strait by Rita Willaert and Great Barrier Reef, Cairns, Australia by Leonard Lowe