No More Climate Change

I think we've reached a point where all the news about climate change is counterproductive. At this point, every report that confirms record high temperatures or record low ice cover is just confirming what we already know and is completely unnecessary. We can see for ourselves that climate change is real, and anyone who refuses to believe that at this point simply isn't convinced. The other concern I have about the news is that if we talk about how quickly climate is changing and how bad it is going to be, people are just going to give up and accept that as an inevitability.

We need to talk more about how to fix it? We had similar problems with acid rain and ozone depletion, both of which have seen significant improvements after they were addressed. So, how do we fix this climate change problem? Transition to a carbon-free economy is a good start, but what do we do about other gases, like methane and nitrogen, and the feedback loops from lower surface area ice coverage? How can we get all these gases out of the air quickly?

Here's a step to take: how quickly can we restore lost wetlands in rural and urban areas that have been lost due to industrial agriculture and urban development? Wetlands serve a double benefit, as they not only buffer against short term extremes, but are also great at taking carbon out of the air over the long term. What else can we do?

No more talk about record temperatures. Let's talk solutions.

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Say no to coal in Canada

How is it that in 2016 parts of Canada are using the same dirty energy source as 18th century manufacturing plants?

There are many compelling reasons to phase out coal power and replace it with renewables:

1. Health: Coal is responsible for more than 800,000 deaths a year globally and millions more illnesses, including asthma. Ontario saw health benefits estimated at $3 billion a year after it closed coal power plants.
2. Air quality: Burning coal is the leading source of mercury emissions in North America, and also releases sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and toxic particulate matter into the air, increasing the frequency and severity of smog. After Ontario closed its last coal power plant in 2014, Toronto had its first summer in 20 years with no smog advisories.
3. Climate change: Phasing out coal is one of the fastest, easiest ways to fight climate change. Just one 150-megawatt coal-fired power plant can produce more than a million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per year. That’s about the same as 200,000 cars produce.
4. Renewables: Investment in coal power is delaying the much needed transition to renewable energy, especially solar and wind, which can provide clean electricity and economic and job opportunities.

Phasing out coal is a win-win-win, for our health, the environment and the climate.

Good idea. The fastest way to reduce carbon footprint is to install a home grid tied solar system. The fastest way to make progressives lose interest in a subject is to suggest they spend their own money to provide a solution.

Unfortunately, installing a personal solar system has nothing to do with "tax dollars" and everything to do with taking personal responsibility for your carbon footprint. Sharing your opinion is not enough, you actually have to do something besides chirping to save the planet for future generations.

Martin N., are you wilfully neglecting the fact that some people (also those who pollute the most, on average) have a lot more disposable income than others, and that many have none whatsoever, once essentials are (almost) met?

Not to mention that you are only addressing part of the problem; housing forms and urban planning are also issues, including transport, of course.