Do you remember?
Do you remember those recent natural disasters that we saw and/or lived like the ice storm, the Saguenay flood, the 2003 heat-wave in Europe's, or the huge forest fires all over north America? These events happened in a context where the average temperature was up half a degree Celsius. Now, try to imagine what a 1.5 to 7-degree raise in temperature could do!
(As you know, I mentioned last week that the number of so called natural disasters tripled from the 80's to the 90's. But I also mentioned that this 90's number was 15 times that of the 50's!)
You might be tempted to say that I am just another fear-monger trying to scare you for reasons such as getting money for research, financing my cause or simply the need to be important. That's plausible. Let's see.
I am the spokesperson of the Québec-Vert-Kyoto coalition. That could get me to exaggerate the situation in order to give my group an overblown importance. I cannot get research funds but some of my colleagues could. I could also do it to further my career by becoming a heroic voice that people would be willing to listen to and even follow. This type of commitment apparently filled with abnegation is quite fashionable nowadays, especially in the context where politicians and business people are seen in a cynical way after the recent scandals.
Whether my involvement is sincere or not is beside the point. But I still strongly advise you to stay vigilant towards the information presented to you, be it from me or someone else. I especially want to warn you about those cases where what you read, see or hear will spontaneously seem in accordance with your values. It is then that we are keen to lower our guard and become more prone to manipulation, consciously or not, by a great number of people. It's when that happens and we get to learn about it that we will feel betrayed. And from that feeling, born out of our fear of this happening again, we will become cynical and more disconnected with society.
This point having been made, I can get to our main topic. These affirmations that I just made; are they true or not? Am I an alarmist or a realist? This is where you will have to do your part. It is your duty to seek information on the subject. Once that is done, I will be able to suggest some solutions to you. I already started last week by giving you some websites to help you evaluate your level of green gas emissions and find some suggestions about reducing them.
David Suzuki's nature challenge
This is the logical suite to last week's recommendations.
In addition to last week's websites is David Suzuki's, where you will find what is called "The nature challenge." This program will help you take concrete steps to reduce your green gas emissions and pollution. This website's goal is to awaken you to different means of transportation to reduce your emissions. This site is aimed at an urban population, though. I must warn you that this challenge entails the use of means others than the car. It promotes a greater use of bikes, public transportation, carpools and even walking! Have you ever tried it? You know, it's not that hard...
Their address is:
http://www.davidsuzuki.org/Climate_Change/
Their site, complemented by Canada's one ton challenge and the AQLPA's sites make for a very complete whole for those who look for ways to travel in a greener way.
Do you remember those recent natural disasters that we saw and/or lived like the ice storm, the Saguenay flood, the 2003 heat-wave in Europe's, or the huge forest fires all over north America? These events happened in a context where the average temperature was up half a degree Celsius. Now, try to imagine what a 1.5 to 7-degree raise in temperature could do!
(As you know, I mentioned last week that the number of so called natural disasters tripled from the 80's to the 90's. But I also mentioned that this 90's number was 15 times that of the 50's!)
You might be tempted to say that I am just another fear-monger trying to scare you for reasons such as getting money for research, financing my cause or simply the need to be important. That's plausible. Let's see.
I am the spokesperson of the Québec-Vert-Kyoto coalition. That could get me to exaggerate the situation in order to give my group an overblown importance. I cannot get research funds but some of my colleagues could. I could also do it to further my career by becoming a heroic voice that people would be willing to listen to and even follow. This type of commitment apparently filled with abnegation is quite fashionable nowadays, especially in the context where politicians and business people are seen in a cynical way after the recent scandals.
Whether my involvement is sincere or not is beside the point. But I still strongly advise you to stay vigilant towards the information presented to you, be it from me or someone else. I especially want to warn you about those cases where what you read, see or hear will spontaneously seem in accordance with your values. It is then that we are keen to lower our guard and become more prone to manipulation, consciously or not, by a great number of people. It's when that happens and we get to learn about it that we will feel betrayed. And from that feeling, born out of our fear of this happening again, we will become cynical and more disconnected with society.
This point having been made, I can get to our main topic. These affirmations that I just made; are they true or not? Am I an alarmist or a realist? This is where you will have to do your part. It is your duty to seek information on the subject. Once that is done, I will be able to suggest some solutions to you. I already started last week by giving you some websites to help you evaluate your level of green gas emissions and find some suggestions about reducing them.
David Suzuki's nature challenge
This is the logical suite to last week's recommendations.
In addition to last week's websites is David Suzuki's, where you will find what is called "The nature challenge." This program will help you take concrete steps to reduce your green gas emissions and pollution. This website's goal is to awaken you to different means of transportation to reduce your emissions. This site is aimed at an urban population, though. I must warn you that this challenge entails the use of means others than the car. It promotes a greater use of bikes, public transportation, carpools and even walking! Have you ever tried it? You know, it's not that hard...
Their address is:
http://www.davidsuzuki.org/Climate_Change/
Their site, complemented by Canada's one ton challenge and the AQLPA's sites make for a very complete whole for those who look for ways to travel in a greener way.