Climate Change and the Illusion of Separation
As I write this article, the year 2023 has been a year of unprecedented weather events on planet Earth.
The variety and volume are great.
From forest fires, heat waves, floods, droughts to shattered temperature records on both land and in our oceans. In addition, glaciers are melting faster than expected and both the Arctic and Antarctic are losing volume and the permafrost is thawing much faster than anticipated. In July 2023, we also passed the hottest month in recorded history and there is growing concern from some in the scientific community about the ocean current (Amoc) collapsing at some point.
NOTE: I've included several links at the bottom of this article if you are interested in learning more about the items mentioned.
Wow, that's a lot to take in and hopefully a massive wake-up call for everyone.
While some may want to live in denial and believe climate change isn't real or isn't that bad, unfortunately it is real and its trajectory is not headed in the right direction.
Climate change is a disaster on a global scale that is unfolding before our eyes and scientists are telling us that what we are seeing today is merely a taste of what is to come if we don't course correct now.
Given the scale of the issue, it can bring many to ask, "Who is responsible?" and “Who is going to fix this?"
Who is Responsible for Climate Change?
While we may want to blame others, particularly slow to change governments, big greenhouse gas emission producing corporations, and multibillionaires with private jets and mega yachts, there isn't one person, one government, one agency, or one company who is responsible for climate change.
We, individually and collectively as a species (both past and present) created and continue to create this mess through our choices and actions (whether we are consciously aware of our impact or not).
We are not victims. It’s time to let that mindset go.
Who is Going to Fix Climate Change?
Just as we may want to blame others for climate change, we may want to look to others (individuals, governments, companies, new technologies, etc.) to fix climate change.
There isn’t one person; one government; one agency who is going to resolve climate change.
There is no magic technology, no saviour from above, no knight in shining armour or superhero that is going to magically fix things.
The Illusion of Separation
When we look to others to blame and to others fix climate change, we are caught up in the illusion of separation.
When we look to others, we deny the interconnectedness; the ripple effect of our choices and actions - past, present or future - whether consciously or subconsciously on everyone and everything.
We fail to see how every choice, action and thought creates the world we experience.
To help address and ultimately resolve climate change, we both individually and collectively as a species need to see past the illusion of separation.
We need to resolve climate change
We, individually and collectively created this mess.
We, individually and collectively as a species need to focus our efforts on fixing it.
Not tomorrow, next week, next year, or someday, but now.
Each of us has a role to play
How?
It starts with taking ownership of the issue.
Climate change didn't just magically happen.
Our ancestors and each of us contributed to the climate change effects we are now experiencing by the choices and actions we made.
Every day, our current and future choices and actions along with those of our offspring are impacting not only the current human population (and all life forms), they are impacting countless future generations.
By taking ownership of the issue, we can take the next step(s) to do what we can to help resolve or at a minimum limit further climate change.
Yes, it can be scary
Changing in our lifestyle and changing our perceived comfort (even in small ways) can scare us. We can feel like giving that up is too much to ask.
Yes, it can be overwhelming
The amount of change (including global systemic changes) required to change our climate change trajectory can appear to be overwhelming and seem impossible but it isn't.
Yes, our brain might push back at first.
Given the two main functions of the brain and our reward wiring, we aren't always the best at thinking 20, 50, 100, 1000 or 10000 years ahead, but we can.
We also each have a unique combination of engrained beliefs and mindsets that may bring up resistance to change as well, but we can create new beliefs and mindsets.
We can be easily manipulated with effective marketing, social pressure, fake news, greenwashing, etc. (despite believing we can't be). This manipulation can push up against our desire to be more climate friendly. For example, buying the latest tech product even though our current tech is fine, or the latest fashion despite a closet full of clothes and the ability of fake news to sow climate change confusion, doubt, denial, etc.
The good news is understanding these factors can help us recognize potential resistance and move beyond it.
Yes, it can seem like it’s too late and we are doomed.
The news cycle is heavily focused on doom and gloom stories over positive because "bad news sells". Being exposed to that type of news can be deflating, but if you look for it, you will find there are lots of companies, start-up’s, organizations, etc. that are making strides in helping to address climate change.
The climate stats are discouraging, but it's not too late. We still have a window to help avoid the worst of it.
We can’t let our challenges hold us back
Even though we clearly have some challenges, we can’t let that hold us back.
Why?
If we don’t change our ways, the climate and the resulting impact on all life will not get better.
Mother Earth’s climate will continue to respond to how we treat it.
Together we can create a shift
It's up to each of us to do our part.
Yes, you are one person amongst over 8 billion people on this planet and I understand how that can make you (and me) feel like our individual actions won't matter, but to do nothing is a crime and denies the collective power we have when we work together.
By working together to reduce our impact on the climate, we can create a massive groundswell of change.
By each one of us taking action on what we can do to help, others will see what we are doing and ideally will be inspired to make changes too.
Individual responsibility and action is not intended to take the pressure off or absolve the big greenhouse gas emitting companies and governments from taking responsibility for their roles and to address climate change. But our individual and collective choices and actions play an important part in helping to ensure change at that level.
Both individual actions and big actions need to happen in tandem. They like everything in our reality are interconnected - aka, separation is an illusion.
Ultimately, our individual changes are meant to help put into motion, the fundamental global systemic level changes we need to address climate change.
By more of us taking action, governments will respond (ideally) by creating policies, legislation to regulate non-climate friendly industries, subsidies for renewable energy and climate friendly companies (including Startup’s). Start-ups to large corporations will invest in technologies and products that move us to a better climate over time.
It's not impossible
Just as Dori in the movie Finding Nemo (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finding_Nemo) was able to encourage, demonstrate and help the fish trapped in the commercial fishing net free themselves, Dori's actions showed how massive change can start with one individual.
What seems like little steps of change can make a big impact.
There is power in numbers.
Not sure where to start?
In a nutshell, it starts by having a good look at how you are living today, from the choices you are making and the actions you taking, to see where you can begin to focus on transitioning to a low carbon (and methane) lifestyle.
As you begin to look, you will begin to see there are many opportunities to reduce your greenhouse impact.
From transportation, to your home(s), what you buy (and how much), what you eat and throw away, how and where and how often you vacation, to where you invest your savings (ie are the stocks in green, or fossil burning companies?).
Your voice can have a large impact too. Engage in a healthy way with your government at all levels. Your voice and your vote along with others can sway what they focus on.
Your time and engagement in aiding organizations and companies that are working on climate solutions can help too.
Commit to one change this week even if it seems like a small change. For example, turn your thermostat up/down a couple of degrees. The following week, look at another area. For example, commit to public transport 'x' times per week. Each week add something new and before you know it, you will be on your way to a much lower carbon (and methane) footprint.
While at first your changes may appear small in comparison in terms of the bigger picture of emissions spewed out each day by the big corporations, and lacking government policies, etc., your individual and collective changes along with those of others have an impact. Remember, companies exist because we buy their stuff. -- their fuel, their cars, their products. Our individual changes will collectively drive businesses change to meet the demands of consumers - aka, purchasing less equates to less emissions.
Our individual changes will collectively help drive government policies and laws.
It's important to remember that changing our choices and actions to align with a climate (and planet) friendly world doesn't mean we stop consuming altogether. It simply means we become aware of our consumption and whether it truly serves the health of this beautiful planet Earth that we and future generations call home.
While the changes I am talking about are small and major global systemic change is ultimately required to avert a climate catastrophe, it’s a start. It starts the conversation. It starts the process of waking up to how we individually and collectively have been living and treating our climate and our planet.
Ultimately, we individually and as a species are faced with a choice. Do we make big changes in lifestyle now, OR live for today and deal with the consequences 'tomorrow'?
Imagine the Global Impact...
Imagine the impact if just 10,000 people took action(s) to reduce their carbon (and methane) footprint.
What impact would that make?
Now imagine 100,000, then 10 million, 100 million, 1 billion people!
Imagine the shift we could make to address climate change.
Imagine!
How about you?
Are you ready to make some changes? Are you going to empower yourself and others or will you look to others to resolve climate change? Are you ready to help create a groundswell of positive change?
Let your choices be your voice for change and an example and inspiration for others to follow.
Do you have ideas for changes we can make at the individual, community, etc. level? Have you made changes already or are you planning to? I'd love to hear what they are. Feel free to reply to this email or reach out to me via the website here.
I've included many links below related to climate change and what we can each do to help. While there are many, my intention is not meant to overwhelm you. My intention is meant to empower you. Hopefully you find them informative and helpful as you take steps to reduce your carbon (and methane) footprint.
Til next time,
I hope you found this article and the links below helpful. If you did, please social share it. Together we can help create a better world for all.
Lisa
p.s. If you haven’t already, please subscribe to receive new articles as they become available.
Keep scrolling to see a list of climate related links from others.
Pin this graphic if you liked this post
CLIMATE REFERENCES
WHAT IS CLIMATE CHANGE:
United Nations article – “What Is Climate Change?” – https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/what-is-climate-change
BBC News article – “What is climate change? A really simple guide” – https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-24021772
BBC News article – “What is net zero and how are the UK and other countries doing?” – https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-58874518
US Environmental Protection Agency article – Overview of Greenhouse Gases – https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/overview-greenhouse-gases
THE BAD NEWS:
Temperature
World Meteorological Organization article – “July 2023 confirmed as hottest month on record” – https://public.wmo.int/en/media/news/july-2023-confirmed-hottest-month-record
BBC News article “Climate records tumble, leaving Earth in uncharted territory – scientists” – https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-66229065
BBC News article "Europe and US heatwaves near 'impossible' without climate change" – https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-66289489
BBC News article "Climate change: Last year's UK heatwave 'a sign of things to come' " –
BBC News article – "Excessive heat: Why this summer has been so hot" – https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-66143682
UN Secretary-General 2023/JUL Youtube video – “Climate Boil” - https://www.youtube.com/live/JOe0_jFIE-4
Permafrost
PBS News Hour article “Driven by climate change, thawing permafrost is radically changing the Artic landscape” – https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/driven-by-climate-change-thawing-permafrost-is-radically-changing-the-arctic-landscape
Glaciers – Arctic – Antarctic – Greenland
NPR article – “Glaciers are shrinking fast. Scientists are rushing to figure out how fast” – https://www.npr.org/2022/02/08/1079227805/glaciers-are-shrinking-fast-scientists-are-rushing-to-figure-out-how-fast
NASA Global Climate Change article – “Arctic Sea Ice Minimum Extent” – https://climate.nasa.gov/vital-signs/arctic-sea-ice
The European Space Agency article – “Ice loss from Greenland and Antarctica hits new record” – https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/FutureEO/CryoSat/Ice_loss_from_Greenland_and_Antarctica_hits_new_record
CBC News article – “The Canary in the icefield" – https://www.cbc.ca/newsinteractives/features/the-canary-in-the-icefield
Oceans
PBS Terra video – "Is Earth's Largest Heat Transfer Really Shutting Down?" – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CXZi-gFgX4
BBC News article – "Will the Gulf Stream really collapse by 2025? (a different perspective on the Amoc)” – https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-66289494
CBC News article – “Our oceans are the warmest in recorded history. This is why it’s so concerning.” – https://www.cbc.ca/news/science/oceans-explainer-1.6937010
United nations Sustainable Transport Conference – Fact Sheet Climate Change – https://www.un.org/sites/un2.un.org/files/media_gstc/FACT_SHEET_Climate_Change.pdf
Costs - Blindspots
Canadian Climate Institute article – “The costs of climate change: A series of five reports” – https://climateinstitute.ca/reports/the-costs-of-climate-change
Ted Talk video – “The Blind Spots of the Green Energy Transition” by Olivia Lazard” (an excellent talk in my opinion) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=za6dE5JrNB0
THERE'S HOPE:
Good News Network article "Montana Youths Sue State Over Climate Change - And WIN - Citing the State's Constitution" – https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/montana-youths-sue-state-over-climate-change-and-win-citing-state-constitution
PBS Terra video – "Have We Made ANY Progress on Climate Change? Here's The Data, You Decide" – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFDnknU0h0s
The Earthshot Prize Youtube Channel – https://www.youtube.com/@EarthshotPrize
UN Environment Programme article links – "Climate change initiatives and partnerships" – https://www.unep.org/explore-topics/climate-change/about-climate-change/climate-change-initiatives-and-partnerships
United Nations Climate Action article – "Climate Initiatives for Action" – https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/climate-action-coalitions
DW Planet A video – What if we stopped making so much stuff? – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_22mKe_OLsg&t=472s
DW Planet A video – How the rich wreck the climate (and hot to stop them) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvPlCr_fPSA
United Nations video – "Don't Choose Extinction" – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DOcQRl9ASc&t=19s
United Nations Climate Action article “Renewable energy – powering a safer future” – https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/raising-ambition/renewable-energy
BBC article – “Climate change: How is my country doing on tackling it?” – https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-65754296
WAYS YOU CAN HELP:
UN article – The six-sector solution to the climate crisis – https://www.unep.org/interactive/six-sector-solution-climate-change
David Suzuki Foundation article – “Top 10 things you can do about climate change” – https://davidsuzuki.org/what-you-can-do/top-10-ways-can-stop-climate-change
Earth Day Org Article – “How to Act on Climate Change: A User’s Guide” – https://www.earthday.org/campaign/act-on-climate-change
UN Environment Programme article – “10 ways you can help fight the climate crisis” – https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/10-ways-you-can-help-fight-climate-crisis
BBC News article – “Climate change: Four things you can do about your carbon footprint” – https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-58171814
United States Environmental Protection Agency article – “What You Can Do to Reduce Pollution from Vehicles and Engines” – https://www.epa.gov/transportation-air-pollution-and-climate-change/what-you-can-do-reduce-pollution-vehicles-and
David Suzuki Foundation article – “Shifting Gears: Climate Solutions for Transportation in Cities, Metro Vancouver Case Study” – https://davidsuzuki.org/science-learning-centre-article/shifting-gears-climate-solutions-for-transportation-in-cities-metro-vancouver-case-study
United Nations Climate Action – Science, Solutions, Solidarity – for a livable planet – this link has many articles you may find helpful – https://www.un.org/climatechange
BBC article – “Who is really to blame for climate change?” – https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200618-climate-change-who-is-to-blame-and-why-does-it-matter
Sierra Club article – “Yes, Actually, Individual Responsibility Is Essential to Solving the Climate Crisis” – https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/yes-actually-individual-responsibility-essential-solving-climate-crisis
Columbia Climate School Article – “The Role of Individual Responsibility in the Transition to Environmental Sustainability – https://news.climate.columbia.edu/2021/05/10/the-role-of-individual-responsibility-in-the-transition-to-environmental-sustainability
DW Planet A – “How brands are getting your brain to buy more stuff” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkDVC_izIV0
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