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Today is the International Day of Climate Action! In a little while, I'm going to walk to my town's demonstration in support of reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide to 350 parts per million or below, the target that many scientists now believe is the maximum atmospheric CO2 that won't lead to catastrophic climate change. If you are interested, check 350.org now to see if there is an action going on in your area and whether you still have time to make it.
Three hundred fifty parts per million of CO2 is an extremely ambitious target; we currently have nearly 390 ppm and rising. Some say it is too ambitious, that by setting this as the goal we are basically telling people to give up and enjoy their emissions-intensive lifestyle while they can because the world will come crashing down around them whatever they do. They say that we need to set more moderate goals so people don't give up hope. There is some truth in this; I am honestly unsure whether we can reduce our greenhouse gas emissions to achieve 350 before it is too late. It may be a doomed quest, but it is one we must follow.
Time for a Lord of the Rings metaphor! Frodo and the rest of the fellowship knew from the start that taking the Ring through Mordor and dropping it into Mount Doom would be exceedingly difficult, and it only seemed more hopeless as Frodo and Sam drew closer to their goal. The temptation was there to give the Ring to someone else or just bury it under a rock somewhere it would take Sauron a little while to find it. They could go back to the Shire and enjoy a few years of happiness before Sauron's forces reached them, maybe even living out their lives in peace before the darkness overtook their children. Still, they took the Ring to Mordor because dropping it into Mt. Doom was the only way that Sauron's power could be destroyed. Near the end, when even Sam had given up hope of actually surviving, they still persisted. Somehow, against all odds, Frodo and Sam succeeded. It took iron wills and hardship and more than a little bit of providence, but they destroyed the Ring.
That is what we must attempt also, striving onwards past all reasonable hope. We will attempt the impossible, and that makes us mighty. (Mixing my fandom references!) I am hardly a carbon emissions saint; I am far too fond of long distance travel by both air and car, and my dwelling in a small town means that I often end up driving fairly long distances when I want something other than the retirees and knick-knack stores available within walking distance. Still, I try to consider the impact of my actions, and I want to get better at reducing my energy usage and driving. I demand action of my elected officials and buy locally grown food when possible. Things add up. Perhaps it will be enough. Together, we will take the Ring to Mordor, though we do not know the way.
Three hundred fifty parts per million of CO2 is an extremely ambitious target; we currently have nearly 390 ppm and rising. Some say it is too ambitious, that by setting this as the goal we are basically telling people to give up and enjoy their emissions-intensive lifestyle while they can because the world will come crashing down around them whatever they do. They say that we need to set more moderate goals so people don't give up hope. There is some truth in this; I am honestly unsure whether we can reduce our greenhouse gas emissions to achieve 350 before it is too late. It may be a doomed quest, but it is one we must follow.
Time for a Lord of the Rings metaphor! Frodo and the rest of the fellowship knew from the start that taking the Ring through Mordor and dropping it into Mount Doom would be exceedingly difficult, and it only seemed more hopeless as Frodo and Sam drew closer to their goal. The temptation was there to give the Ring to someone else or just bury it under a rock somewhere it would take Sauron a little while to find it. They could go back to the Shire and enjoy a few years of happiness before Sauron's forces reached them, maybe even living out their lives in peace before the darkness overtook their children. Still, they took the Ring to Mordor because dropping it into Mt. Doom was the only way that Sauron's power could be destroyed. Near the end, when even Sam had given up hope of actually surviving, they still persisted. Somehow, against all odds, Frodo and Sam succeeded. It took iron wills and hardship and more than a little bit of providence, but they destroyed the Ring.
That is what we must attempt also, striving onwards past all reasonable hope. We will attempt the impossible, and that makes us mighty. (Mixing my fandom references!) I am hardly a carbon emissions saint; I am far too fond of long distance travel by both air and car, and my dwelling in a small town means that I often end up driving fairly long distances when I want something other than the retirees and knick-knack stores available within walking distance. Still, I try to consider the impact of my actions, and I want to get better at reducing my energy usage and driving. I demand action of my elected officials and buy locally grown food when possible. Things add up. Perhaps it will be enough. Together, we will take the Ring to Mordor, though we do not know the way.
