eleventh.transmission
Arts, Culture, Media, Activism
ARTICLE
Global Warming
Small Musings on a Big Subject
by Lia Robinson
British journalist and activist, George Monbiot, calls climate change the moral issue of our times. At a recent book
release in Calgary, he stated that it is not enough to be well meaning; morality demands more. The sustainable
amount of carbon emission per person per year is 1.2 tonnes. Britain produces 9.5 and Canada is right behind
the United States – the largest emitter at 19 tonnes. China, home to roughly a billion people, is currently at 2.7
tonnes per person per year. Despite the depressing figures and prevalence of information on the outcome of too
much warming of the earth, Monbiot proposes that changes can be achieved without too much chaos. Positive
changes will not bring civilization crashing down, but not changing will. In his recent book “Heat”, Monbiot
outlines the solutions he believes are possible to attain, although it would require considerable political will and
therefore the will of the people is needed to pressure their governments to act. As Monbiot says, “The government
needs to be forced to close the gap between rhetoric and action.” The objection to change is usually with the
concern of economic collapse. Change would result in major changes to how we get our energy and how we use
it, but in the end the economic consequences are far greater if we do nothing at all. It is in our own self interest to
be involved. For Monbiot it is about imagination, envisioning a different kind of world for ourselves. Indeed, it is the
dreaming of something different that makes it a possibility. Monbiot maintains his optimism because he can see
the solutions. He is not the only one. Ross Gelbspan, author of “Boiling Point”, also calls for big changes, and he
too believes they are possible to achieve. “The Weather Makers” by Tim Flannery gives good advice and
information on climate change. All of these authors are giving you reasons to care, reasons to believe. I have
been reading these books and it is inspiring and interesting; they have spurred me to dedicate myself to the
issue. I know that by informing myself I will see the complexity of the situation and find the place within it where I
can affect change.
Welcome to global warming and climate change. Welcome to one of the truths we do not want to hear. Al Gore
thought more people should hear about it, and in naming his book and film “An Inconvenient Truth” he makes a
critical point: It is inconvenient to hear the truth, especially if we believe that it will significantly change the way we
live. Although Gore admits that the situation is overwhelming, he believes that the revolution is still possible. The
reasons you do not know enough about the issue are influenced by the media and corporate interests. The
media is not giving you important information for a variety of reasons, but remember Gil Scott-Heron’s words, “the
revolution will not be televised”. We have to decide to make changes, most governments, corporations and
media outlets will not do it or us. Do you believe the revolution is possible? Have we given up on being one of the
leaders or being a supporter? Is the problem so big we would rather look the other way and wait for fate? Each
generation has had its overwhelming issues, perhaps it is all relative, but this time more than any other it will
affect every person in the world.
It is hard to imagine a revolution here in Calgary, an economy doing exceedingly well due to the oil and gas
industry, some of the biggest polluters in the world. It is hard to get perspective on weather in a city that has
always had bizarre weather, probably due in part to being so close to the mountains and at the entrance to the
prairies. It is true that the temperate zones such as Calgary’s will be affected last, although there will be other
problems such as water scarcity. Global warming will hurt the most vulnerable first, those in the developing
countries of Africa, South America, and Asia, but not because global warming is discriminating, but because
these places have the least amount of resources to protect themselves from disasters. As for North Americans,
we have the ability to make great changes; I only hope the revolution will not come too late.
The message is scary and intimidating. Facts are facts though; our world is changing quickly, but this time more
than any other, we have power. We can negate the disasters; we can change the depth of the disease that
threatens our continued existence. I want to be inspired and keep the hope alive that we can come together and
make the necessary changes in order to survive the massive changes that are in front of us. There are other
pressing issues, but ultimately this one supersedes the rest, because our survival is at stake. I believe in the
strength of individuals; there are many who contribute greatly to this world, and there are organizations making a
difference. As a collective species however, we have often we chosen war over peace, destruction over creation.
We often refuse to look back and learn from our violent histories, preferring to blunder forward, ignorant pawns in
our own self fulfilling prophecies.
It comes down to making a choice before it is made for you. Start at the beginning, push the feelings of being
overwhelmed aside, and educate yourself. Be aware first and then choose to act in any way you can. It is up to us.
What will we choose?
All work copyright
the respective
owner. Nothing
may be reproduced
without consent.