What is your climate- and/or energy-related New Year’s resolution?
I’ll tell you mine:
I am resolved to redouble ClimateProgress’s efforts in 2011 — literally — to provide much more high-quality news and analysis on climate science, climate solutions (aka clean energy), and climate politics along with media criticism and denier debunking. I’ll have more to say in January about CP’s expansion plans.
What are you going to do?
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I am going to get rid of my 13 year old clunker. Its not easy because that was my mid life crises car, but I’ll replace it with an electric bicycle. I really had wanted to make my way to DC for earth day but at the moment it looks like I’ll have to look for something local. I will display bumper stickers and such because that’s part of the “ground war”. Today I will be digging through the cushions looking for change so I can get a lapel pin when witts end gets them in. I like those because they may direct some to check out this blog. It is very important that people learn.
I will try the same :)
If nothing happens we can start praying and wishcasting, because at some point it will become impossible to organize the system change we need to counter dangerous survival threatening climate change.
As so many thankful people on this blog have said over and over again, thank you, Joe, for all that you do. If humanity ever gets out of this mess, future historians will rank you right up there at the top of those people who made a difference. As for myself, I resolve to keep spreading the word about climate change and its impacts on our world through my work as a retired meteorologist in the Transition Towns movement here in central Maine and to support those in politics and other positions of power who understand the problems and will work to correct them while continuing to “refudiate” the garbage that is put out by deniers to the best of my ability. I also resolve to try to keep from getting hopelessly depressed about where we’re actually going instead of where we should be going. There are still many good things that humans have done and still do that can be celebrated. There are also all the young people just coming into the world, both in my family and around the world, that are still innocent of the travesties perpetrated by the current generations in power. Those are the tnings that keep me going.
I’m going to send climate science research papers to my senators, so they can’t honestly pretend they weren’t warned.
I’m also going to try to get my community to take direct action, and maybe see if we can’t start a campaign to convince a local coal plant to switch to deep geothermal.
CNN Poll: Americans more optimistic about the world in 2011
Washington (CNN) — Americans are looking forward to the new year with much more optimism about the state of the world than they did a year ago, according to a new national poll. http://edition.cnn.com/2010/US/12/31/poll.americans.optimism/
So much for the just world hypothesis … it’s all true people live in a fantasy world with a lifestyle destroying the actual habitat. Resources are very limited and the fossil digging species will learn it the hard way, maybe by becoming extinct. Anarchy, chaos and collapse of the civilization awaits … just look at the history of the biggest empires.
I will make sure the co-op apartment house I live in gets new T5 lights in general areas and better insulation.
I will try to get us to buy more into an wind power cooperative we are already part of, enough to cover all electricity of the building. New renewables need support.
If I set my foot on an airplane I will plant trees to a sum similar to the price of the ticket, as jet fuel untaxed my conscience tells me to tax myself. Petrol is taxed heavily in sweden so the government assumes the responsibilty to clean up those emissions, have doubts they do that but they are better than most other governments in cleaning up.
Happy New Year 2011
My resolution is to continue to change one habit to a low energy alternative every three months. Though it sounds slow, it takes 2-3 months for a new habit to stick, and it is surprising just how quickly the benefits mount up.
Things I have changed include: line drying clothes, 2 minute showers, cycling to work no matter what weather, hypermiling, wearing slippers in winter (and setting the thermostat lower), turning the lights off when no one is in a room, going local for entertainment, growing food, etc.
I am also working on getting this message out into the local community so my second resolution is to step up these efforts.
Many thanks for all your hard work over the last year and I look forward to what you bring us in 2011.
My resolution: Continually look for ways to be more productive and effective in helping mainstreamers understand our climate, energy, and overall sustainability challenges. This includes not just the obvious things, like making better use of graphics and creative writing to reach people, but tactical issues, like taking an enlightened view when deciding which battles are, or aren’t, worth fighting.
Given that I agree with @drgrist tweet that “The fight over EPA authority is going to be the signal fight of the next year. Real test of core principles for Obama.”
Given that my Congressman has a PhD in Applied Math and a history with wind energy,
I am going to work to put as much local pressure as possible on Jerry McNerney to use his office to defend science and protect the EPA.
I am going to redouble my efforts to ensure that my friends, family, and coworkers don’t get away with throw-away denier statements around me and make sure that I speak up to inform them of the basics. They will know this is a significant issue for our children’s and grandchildren’s generations.
Resolved: to continue to feed my healthy addiction to Climate Progress! and other superb climate change blogs (DeSmog Blog, Climate Science Watch, Grist/David Roberts, Mother Jones’ Blue Marble Feed, Dot Earth, Coal Tattoo, Jeff Masters’ Wunderblog, and others)
Resolved: to put aside pent up anger and frustration towards deniers and strive for a deeper understanding of denialist motives and needs to allow for a more effective approach in persuading fellow human beings that we are in trouble unless we take meaningful and swift action
Resolved: to take more concrete steps to foster sustainability in my own community, a progressive suburb of DC — e.g. our town may soon be entering into a power purchase agreement (PPA) for solar energy!
Resolved: to be a proud, card-carrying Climate Hawk!
Thanks Joe, we look forward to more good stuff in 2011!
Resolved:
Tonight I will be guzzling bio fuel and not drive my car. Happy New Year
I can, therefore I must.
This is the year to take my prior efforts in carbon neutral energy technology and put them into full use, and become a source for those around me. My biodiesel manufacture, automobile conversions, the fledgling hydro project, solar hot water, biomass, ethanol still, all will take the next step from working prototype to full installations and use. My friends and associates know I’ve done these, it’s time to really show their utility and necessity.
CSC
I will continue to make my poorly written comments in hopes that people with better writing skills, and more knowledgeable people will amplify and clarify those points.
For example in my local paper today we learned that we have had a record cold December in Northeast Georgia. Someone posted a link to a denialist weather site (weatheraction.com) a link to Monckton was my clue. I clicked the link and wasted 5 minutes discovering what should have been immediately obvious. Sneaky, those denialists!
http://www.onlineathens.com/stories/123110/new_763654510.shtml#comment89428
Joe, perhaps someone could compile a list of skeptic and denialist websites, and post it here.
We have links to good ‘A’ list sites here.
There are many not-so-good, but still not skeptic or denialist sites. The ‘B’ sites. Another list.
We have to change one mind at a time.
My resolution is that I am taking four months this summer and travel to all 50 states and see this great country and talk to people and when I talk to people the number one question I will ask is how do we deal with climate change. What do everyday day americans think of all this mess we have gotten ourselves into. I will let you knpw my results
My resolution is to cut my carbon footprint 50% this coming year. The project is already underway: zero jet travel, energy saving changes to the house (doors, windows, insulation, white roof, new heat pump, 80 cool/60 heat thermostat settings), replace the 23 mpg car with one (used) that gets about twice that, reduce meat consumption to twice/week and buy only local produce, buy all clothing from resale shops.
I expect to do all this and be able to show people I haven’t reduced my circumstances to Stone Age living standards, that a more sustainable lifestyle need not be insufferably meager and uncomfortable.
I’m unresolved.
I don’t know whether to continue spending 2-3 hours a day addressing nonsense on blogs and, much more time consuming but also much more enjoyable, reading up on the science and politics in places like this (thank you, and I look forward to enjoying your redoubled efforts Joe, though where you will conjure the time from I don’t know) so as to be informed enough to address the endless misinformation, or to stop and make more time for my family and my job.
Life is much less stressful if you ignore reality, but then that’s the biggest problem we face.
Continue translating content from SkepticalScience into German and spread the information about climate change as far and wide as possible.
http://www.skepticalscience.com/translation.php?lang=6
I’m planning to take on the local media. If a “think tank” which doesn’t reveal its funding gets an op-ed piece, or is even quoted in a story, I’m going to be all over the reporters/editors. For whom is the writer actually speaking? Who funds them? Are any foreign interests funding them? How do you know (or not know)? Why publish something from, or quote, such a shadowy organization which refuses to disclose for whom they really work?
Alreay on it! The first set of double pane energy saving windows replace the 6 wasteful ones in our master bedroom and then it’s on to the living room. The Camry is ten years old and is reaching 200,000 miles. I’m on the list for the Nissan Leaf and plan to be driving it in 2011 well be for that year is out. I’ll continue to narrow cast on my Facebook account the lastest best climate science available, debunk the BS, share the news about the exciting renewable technologies that will save our @@sses and plan for some upcoming shows on our Pacifica affiliate KPFT here in the declining oil capitol and emerging EV capitol of the world, Houston, TX.
PS: I overlayed my standard incandescent light bulbs on the Christmas tree with LED lights. They look fantastic! The energy reduction was approximately 94%. Lighting the tree the old way took 350 watts. Now it uses only 21 watts and is far brigher and cheerful then the old incandescents were.
I’m taking some museology classes at the local university so I can start a global warming museum. It will have displays of previous extinctions and those animals currently on the brink, as well as the soon-to-be extinct American consumer. It will have a special room or the deniers, with soft music and comfy couches and an earthquake simulating floor.
Happy new year to all of you who recognize denial for what it is, and thanks, Joe, for this blog.
I plan to buy a Nissan Leaf (charged with green power) and reserve my gasoline car for a few long trips per year.
In my hometown, there is a university which has an area called, “the Green” where young people gather to hear politicians/ other experts talk about various issues. Why aren’t more climate hawks going to universitys and laying out to young people what’s at stake? To me, this seems vitally important! It’s the young peoples’ future which is at stake and when they realize what’s happening, they will go home and blast their parents such that even GOP Ostriches will wake up!
During the 60′s, it was the young people who gathered at the Capitol and protested the Vietnam war. They never gave up– even when chased by police on horseback, swinging billy clubs at them. And the war ended. This is where our Strength lies– the Indomitable Young People.
Anyhow, my resolution concerning Catastrophic Global Warming is to spread the word more… send copies of stuff from this website to deniers.
I will keep working with, and donating to, Solar Electric Light Fund, because I truly believe that making sure the many people on this planet living in poverty will skip the dirty energysystems and move straight to renewable energysystems is of the outmost importance.
For people thinking about how to deal with this issue in terms of communication, there’s a book I’m reading for work that might be a useful read this year.
It’s called Creating a Climate for Change, communicating climate change and facilitating social change. Edited by Susanne Moser and Lisa Dilling.
It’s a collection of ideas/examinations relating to communicating the facts and challenges of climate change to all kinds of people from deniers to people who just are missing a couple facts, and some of the assembled pieces go into the psychology behind attitudes like flat-out denial of reality, as well as possible ways to approach people with that kind of attitude.
I don’t agree 100% with everything in it, and some parts are more useful than others, but overall it’s worth a read if you’re interested in those difficult conversations with people who’re allergic to admitting fault, or to being told that life isn’t perfect.
To fly less, buy less, eat less, work less.
My comments are not getting through for some reason… but
I resolve to teach my 20/30 something nieces and nephews skills they’ll in a world of climate catastrophe
LAST year I resolved to cut my carbon emissions 80% – so far I’ve made it to 60% by moving to a smaller house completely off the grid, switching from wood to propane heat, and getting a smaller car. The car is most of the carbon, so as soon as I can get a solar-powered-off-grid-electric I can make it to 80%. If I can convert from propane heat to active solar, I can make 90%.
Other resolutions:
I resolve to build our new organization (the Solar Gardens Institute, http://www.solargardens.org ), helping 100s of renters and low to moderate income people use community solar.
I resolve to help states adopt community energy laws across America.
I resolve to be kind and respectful to climate deniers, as the best way to be persuasive (okay, some resolutions get broken).
Joy
Catman, you write good! As for deniers’ websites, I have no clue. But there is a website, http://www.exxonsecrets.org/html/orgfactsheet.php?id=21 which tells how much Exxon Mobile pays deniers to spread their filthy lies. Whenever I read an article by deniers and look their names up on this website… it never fails: their names are on Exxon Mobile’s payroll list! (Also called, ExxonSecrets Factsheet: CATO Institute)
#15 Steve Wicke: What a great idea. I hope you carry a video camera and record the responses you get.
I will be purchasing energy efficient bulbs as gifts for my neighbors to replace the incandescent bulbs in their outdoor fixtures. It’s the ‘low hanging fruit’ that is so simple to address, but most people are oblivious. I plan to accompany the bulbs with information on how much energy/money can be saved. Most outdoor lights in my neighborhood stay on for many hours every night and lots of houses have 2 or 3 fixtures outside. If they are given free bulbs, maybe they’ll do it.
Heraclitus at 17 does have a point I understand. I took a break from climate blogs for a couple weeks and had fun dealing with christmas and the grandkids. But then when watching them playing and riding bikes I realized again why I do this. Its their future what I worry most about.
I offered my resolution earlier on 2010 Climate BS thread, here’s the gist:
In my journalism in 2011 I hope to help the public understand who the “puppet masters” that are pulling the strings of Fox, Limbaugh, Inhofe and the rest who push the Climate BS. We need a wider public understanding of the why and how their successful manipulation of public opinion on key issues like climate and energy.
And I’d like to explore how we as a society can respond when gasoline prices “suddenly” go up to $5 a gallon when action is taken to remove fossil fuel subsidies or increase environmental protection or put a price on carbon.
On a more upbeat note I cover international enviro issues and the story on climate is much better in Brazil, India, China, South Africa and many others who have taken strong action on renewables. The Maldives plans to be carbon neutral by 2020.
A healthy, happy new year to all.
I resolve to continue to make small but measurable steps to reduce my carbon footprint. To redouble my efforts in making climate change a subject of serious consideration for my local, state, and national representatives. And mostly to start a group (or join if there already is one) in our community to address the issue of climate change – what steps we can take to mitigate it and what steps we need to take to prepare for the inevitable changes it will bring.
And to spread the word about Climate Progress.
I will keep up the fight, educate where possible, improve to the best of my abilities. Continue to write letters, try to keep up with Joe’s Output and to be refreshed by the efforts of all the great dedicated commentates here on Climate Progress.
“The only battle that is worth fighting is the one you lose and lose and lose and finally WIN…”
Two Palms Up,
Leif
So much to do, so little time.
Ignorance needs to be addressed even in places you don’t expect. Check out the comments section from this Grist article, where you’d think people would know better, and you’ll see what I mean:
http://www.grist.org/article/2010-12-29-native-american-group-sues-to-block-californias-big-solar
Two suggestions: An organized effort should be undertaken to get university professors off their asses on this subject. Climate scientists are starting to wake up and get out there in public, but it should be a broader effort, and include all of the faculty. Maybe someone from CAP could start with university administrators and department heads. They are supposed to hold a public trust, after all, and not just turn out people for the career track.
Second, the managers and stockholders of the oil and coal companies need to be shown to be exactly what they are: living embodiments of the dark side. This will work because it happens to be true, and because people relate to the struggle between good and evil.
For 2011:
I hope to share the film, The 11th Hour, with as many folks as humanly possible in the weeks and months ahead. It is easy to access:
- Free online – http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/11th-hour/
- An immediately available choice for Netflix subscribers
- Usually available at the local video rental shop
- CD purchase about $5 if ordered online from big box stores
Although it was released in 2007, every segment is still spot on. Beautifully produced; intriguing interviews with scientists, spiritual leaders of many faiths, and others from varied walks of life. Brilliantly assembled with images both breath-taking and haunting.
Well worth 95 minutes of your time. Consider purchasing a copy to donate to your local school or library as well. Additional interviews and “time capsules” at: http://www.youtube.com/user/11thhouraction
I will try to think “11th hour” each time I write “2011″…
Organize, organize, organize. Climate Progress provides the information and motivation and 350.org provides a user-friendly vehicle for finding like-minded people in our communities. After a first foray into this organizing a 10/10/10 service project, I resolve to do all that I can to help climate hawks organize into a coherent and persistent political force in 2011.
I plan to save up for an electric car, expand my garden and generally look for ways to cut back on the pollution that the industrial system produces on my behalf.
I’m sending invites to my neighbors to come to a “Living Lighter” party this month with the theme “Let’s Talk Trash.” This new year, I’ve resolved to try to go toward zero waste as much as possible, and figure if I have problems knowing the right place to dispose of “stuff” (and buy less “stuff” that needs disposal) that my neighbors probably do too–plus we’ll have fun figuring it out! I’ve invited a couple of “experts” to help paw through my trash…
Changing habits, one small step, one neighborhood, one community, one city at a time.
Call it Climate Chaos not Climate Change
I plan to do my part to debunk the fossil fuel lobby’s disinformation campaign and expose it for the cynical fraud that it is. I promise to engage the online “activist engagement” facet of this campaign directly, debunking their false claims, exposing the corruption behind their disinformation, and linking them to the truth: That climate change is a real threat to our future, that the fossil fuel lobby and their friends in government have been waging a disinformation campaign to confuse the public, and that their lies are denying us a renewable-powered economy.
And I too, will resolve to do all I can to help climate hawks organize into a political movement in 2011 (as Peter Sergienko said).
RC
Climate Hawk
I just discovered this site via link from I am not quite sure where. I would be a denier of the climate change/global warming THEORY.My resolution for the New Year is to channel Malthus and to by a piece of real estate on Walden Pond.
I resolve to snark. And, occasionally bring a wry smile to Joe’s lips.
I resolve to truly and completely change consciousness about climate change and all related issues, beginning with my own.
I resolve to take full responsibility for my part in what’s coming, to change my behavior and to make amends to everyone I can.
And to start drinking.
A New Year’s resolution we might all want to get involved with is recruiting Arnold Schwarzenegger, who will no doubt have a bit more free time on his hands in 2011, to become an even more dedicated leader in the climate crisis movement.
To continue to read CP- spread the word about the human disaster head caused by climate change. Make my small carbon footprint less.
And hope for the best- the floods in northeast Australia are most disarming- as is my New Years eve mid day temperature in Connecticut of 46 degrees.
Jo, thanks for all the hard work. Keep it up. :o)
This is how i will celebrate New Years
http://i.imgur.com/ge5uC.jpg
http://www.reddit.com/r/pics/comments/eu63h/this_is_how_i_will_celebrate_new_years/
I resolve to get arrested for civil disobedience while bringing attention to dying trees. Maybe chain myself to one in front of Drumthwacket, Chris Christie’s Governor’s Mansion in Princeton, New Jersey. Or just trespass in my tree costume. (2nd picture here: http://witsendnj.blogspot.com/2010/11/pricing-carbon-at-wesleyan-u-and.html)
A Few of My Climate- and Energy-Related Resolutions
1. I’d like to contribute a series of guest posts, early in the year, that address some key segments of society (with which I have credible experience) and that are compelling, fact-based, engaging, and action-oriented.
2. I’d like to help, in whatever ways I can, to credibly strengthen the ways in which sound and supported moral/ethical considerations, reasoning, and language inform — and are included in — arguments and messaging regarding climate change and what we ought to do about it. In other words, I’d like to help “bring to life” the very real and vital application of moral/ethical thinking to the climate change dilemma. Put another way, I’d like to try to help Donald Brown (and others) in the essential aim that they have.
3. I’d like to help “partner” with the college-age generation in the San Francisco Bay Area, i.e., at places like Berkeley and Stanford and etc.
4. I’d like to help shed clear light on the ExxonMobil problem — as part of the broader oil problem, of course, but focusing bright light in comprehensive, productive, and tactical ways that can help society “see” and “understand” ExxonMobil more clearly and that will help motivate society to insist on responsible change from ExxonMobil and the oil industry. Through information and action, I’d like to help (with other parties) prompt change at ExxonMobil, or, if ExxonMobil doesn’t begin to change responsibly and significantly, I’d like to help society gain enough understanding, motivation, and will to reject ExxonMobil and its products. I’ve been doing no small amount of homework on this, but I need to find others (organizations with platforms) who are interested in working together (formally or informally) to shed light on ExxonMobil and to begin a much more effective process of addressing that part of our problem.
5. I’ve written a book (having to do with economics and sustainability) and would like to find a publisher. Among other things, it deals with several of the underlying issues at the core of our climate and energy problems.
6. I’d like to team up with one or more of the main (and most serious) climate, energy, and sustainability organizations (having to do with the climate and energy problems, economics and sustainability more broadly, corporate governance and reform, the media problem, and related matters) — as a consultant and collaborator or as a full-time gig.
7. Although numbered “7″ here, one of my top priorities is to (hopefully) help bring more “actual action” and “life” — ultimately, effectiveness — to the movement, somehow, through more cooperation and creativity. Doing “more of the same” just won’t cut it, of course. With an understanding of how people “work”, how movements grow, and how societies change, and with creativity, we need to come up with approaches and actual actions that build on — and FAR surpass — those of last year and earlier.
8. I’d also like to write a thing or two for Huffington Post, if they’ll have me. But I have no idea who to contact, nor do I really want to send anything to an anonymous box from which I may never hear back. Does anyone have a name of someone at Huffington Post who will actually respond and may actually be interested?
As much as I think that Climate Progress is great, and has been great, I do like Joe’s resolve to redouble efforts — though remember, working smart is even more important than working (overly) hard. Bravo to Joe and Climate Progress!
Here’s to a great — and effective! — 2011!
Cheers and Be Well,
Jeff
That’s beautiful, Wit’s End. If I lived in New Jersey I’d go with you! :)
Jeff, I’d like to email you something concerning point #4 you made. So please don’t “spam” me when I write. OK?
(Awhile back, I was reading a lot about Gandhi, the satyagraha movement and trying to figure how we could fit the issue of climate change into the equation. Anyhow, I need to find the material and will get back with you. :)
I’d like to draw your attention to a New Year’s Resolution for 2010, kept by Warren Sender: he wrote a letter to the editor Every Single Day for the whole year.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2010/12/31/931929/-A-Year-of-Climate-Letters:-Greatest-Hits-Edition
To take less, give more.
Peace.
Weatherize/insulate my home, get more energy efficient appliances (mine are nearing 20 years old), white roof, look into possibility of geothermal heating/cooling/hot water. Also investigate best ways to finance these projects, talk them up to friends/neighbors.
Burning Down the House
I have an opportunity to write an editorial for the local paper. I would love to hear your thoughts on how to how to communicate climate change effectively.
Teach the young folks in my family to garden
I will thoroughly and relentlessly annoy “climate hawks” by not ceasing to point out that they can reduce their GHG footprint much more, and much more easily, and much more cheaply (indeed profitably), and with huge benefits to their personal health, by adopting a vegan diet than by all the energy efficiency and alternative energy strategies they might adopt combined.
Secular Alarmist, even with … ?
Oregano Moves Cows Toward Climate Neutral http://blogs.nationalgeographic.com/blogs/thegreenguide/2010/09/cows-methane-oregano-global-warming.html
or/and
Curry spices for cows and sheep could cut methane emissions http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/green-living/curry-spices-for-cows-and-sheep-could-cut-methane-emissions-2029761.html
I meant, SecularAnimist
I recently wrote my first article for skepticalscience.com:
http://skepticalscience.com/Did-global-warming-stop-in-1998-1995-2002-2007-2010.html
I have four more cooking and a photobucket slide presentation:
http://s1125.photobucket.com/albums/l588/villabolo/
57 Christopher Yaun…
Having successfully shepherded 3 children through essays for applications to private secondary school, college, and ivy league graduate/law school, here’s my general writing advice:
First, to start out just pretend you are writing an informal letter to a friend. Spew it all out – you can make it more coherent later. What is is you most want to impart to your friend?
Second, make it personal and real. How did you come to be aware of climate change? What are your worries about it? You aren’t going to make the definitive scientific case in an editorial, and brevity is critical – but by sharing your own experience, you might compel a reader to think about it. Give at least one concrete, specific detail. Is it sea rise? Water shortages? Extreme weather? Droughts and agriculture?
Admit there is much uncertainty about the pace and effects of climate change, but no doubt that it is occurring, and is very threatening for future generations. Advise anyone who is interested to visit…climateprogress.org? and check the side bar for basic information for novices.
I usually warn people that they need to be prepared for a bad diagnosis, like that they have cancer, and will have to expect a strong emotional desire to deny the prognosis.
You may or may not want to mention the orchestrated and industry-funded denial campaign.
Then threaten a little…you don’t want your children asking – why didn’t you even pay attention enough to learn about the danger?
That’s probably too much, but you asked!
Good luck and Happy New Year.
Thank you, SecularAnimist (#59)! I thorougly agree! (And glad to have you back! Seldom hear from you anymore.) :)
Catman, with reference to #14 you may want to check out my photobucket presentation with reference to ‘Global Cooling’ and the ‘Cold Winter’ arguments. Once again:
http://s1125.photobucket.com/albums/l588/villabolo/
The first thing I want to do as the year closes is to thank you, hugely, Joe. You’ve produced the most reliable, effective, provocative, crusading, caring and thoughtful gathering place for all who care to visit, learn about global warming, and be motivated to change and demand change. You’ve been an inspiration, and a leader. I only hope your incandescent energy is sustainable–you are truly a force of (and for!) nature.
My New Year’s resolution is to turn to advocacy–to do more, as a writer and speaker, to fight the polluters and rouse the weary. I especially want to try and reach out to people who aren’t necessarily living and breathing this issue, who are perhaps intimidated by it, or tired of feeling worried and guilty. Harried parents, for instance, who will do everything in their power to protect their children–but haven’t connected on this issue yet.
I resolve to focus much more attention on the battles rumbling in Congress with respect to dismantling EPA and the Clean Air Act. That’s going to be a critical fight, the people versus the polluters, and we must make our voices heard. We’ve got to change the terms of the arguments. Pollution isn’t just dirty. It’s poisonous.
It would be great if you had a section on your site with an A-Z of denier-cynics and polluters. Name names, and give us a couple of graphs on each person, their argument, and how they’ve been debunked. An easy, fast, reliable and fact-based reference sheet. That way, when our college kids bring home books by “skeptics”, assigned by (I’m hoping) well-intentioned but ill-informed professors, we can at least switch on a bright floodlight.
Thank you again, Joe, with enormous admiration–and may you continue to lead the way, so that our children will someday be able to make New Year Resolutions that are not tinged with anxiety about the very air they breathe.
[JR: Dominique, that very kind. I hope you'll bring more of your slow love journey to CP.]
Hope….and messaging…
http://www.wimp.com/classicalmusic/
My wife and I are expecting our first baby this year – a big reason we will be seeking to cut our emissions to create new norms for their life.
I hope to spend more time focusing on community activities to help educate people about big picture energy issues by leading a class at a green general store here in Cincinnati, Park+Vine. I’m looking forward to the next big event to organize locally with 350.org – we had 75 people on 10/10/10 – I hope to double that, or better.
The neighborhood we live in is dramatically underutilized, much of it built around 1850 and will be serviced again by it’s first streetcar in 60 years starting in 2013. My personal goal is convince as many people as possible to choose living in a dense urban environment rich with history, to take public transit and keep their cars in park. I hope bank lending will return to help make this happen.
We bought a solar thermal hot water heater for our condo this year and will be looking into a PV electric system that we can assemble over the next four years to cover most of our electric needs.
Write to my local paper and call my representatives regularly.
My wife is vegetarian, and since we are hoping to raise our baby with the same diet, I will try to cut meat out of mine. We have many favorite local restaurants – maybe we can request a few more vegetarian selections on their menus?
I hope to take “Think globally, act locally” to new heights in 2011!
The following is a resolution signed and adopted by citizens of Charlestown, Massachusetts (now a Boston neighborhood in its north end) on December 4, 1773. This was 12 days before the Boston Tea Party. I tried adjusting it for the current effort to stop global warming but the results seemed too controversial, so I print the original here. These citizens were truly committed to change.
1. “Resolved, that it is one of the natural rights of man to dispose of the fruits of his honest industry himself.
2. “Resolved, that every British subject in special in whatever part of the extensive British Empire he is settled, has eminently by our happy constitution, as well as by nature, the sole right to dispose of his property either by himself or his representative.
3. “Resolved, that some violent attacks have been made by administration on the rights and privileges of the British subjects in the Colonies. That the retaining the duty on the tea for the express purpose of raising a revenue in America, and empowering the East India company to send their tea here for sale whilst subject to such duty, is a striking instance of their determination to persevere in these attacks and thereby reduce us to the most abject state of wretchedness and slavery.
4. “Resolved, That whoever shall be directly or indirectly concerned in landing, receiving, buying or selling said tea, or importing any tea from Great Britain while subject to duty, is an enemy to America and ought to be treated accordingly.
5. “Resolved, that we highly approved the wise, vigilant, and steady conduct of our brethren, and the inhabitants of Boston, at this alarming crisis, and beg their acceptance of our most cordial thanks for the same.
6. “Resolved, that we will be ready on all proper occasions, in conjunction with our oppressed American brethren, to risk our lives and fortunes in support of those rights, liberties, and privileges, with which god, nature, and our happy constitution have made us free.”
Thanks to Joe and everyone.
PaulM @ 67:
One thousand thank you’s.
What a beauty-full gift you have shared with us.
May there be shining eyes all around you this year.
After seeing more than four years of our intense climate activism have insufficient impact to save the climate, we’re resolving to spend more time on our own Plan B: hunkering down for extending family survival.
We’re acquiring numerous permaculture books, and, although I’ve been gardening all my life, I’m going to study this subject in depth, then plant a more sustainable garden, including fruit and nut trees, etc.
We’re expanding and extending our food resources, and working on water resources. I’m studying healing with plants. We’re stocking up on non-electrical tools, a treadle sewing machine, a two-person hand saw, and many other pre-modern pieces of equipment. We’re preparing for a move to a less-populated area with tillable acreage. We’ll buy some freeze-dried food for emergencies.
My husband will get a gun permit, and a suitable supply of guns and other equipment. (Sadly, hunger can cause people to become unreasonable.) These will, of course, also be used for hunting, fishing, trapping, etc.
Who knows? All this may just buy a few years of time, but perhaps our end won’t be quite so miserable as we will be busy trying to survive. And, on a positive note, perhaps our “selfish genes” will be among those few that make it through the tough times down the road.
Even more positive, while working on Plan B, as time allows, we’ll be giving what’s left to the yet ineffective climate movement, trying to help it “grow a pair” so that it can defeat the big, heartless, short-sighted, self-centered, deceptive, evil, fossil fuel industry.
Happy New Year, everyone!
To finally sign up for online bill payment. Kind lame, I know, but should cut down on paper (recycling) and GHG pollution (marginally). Plus save time and make my wife happy!
Chris H. @ 68 – Congrats and best luck on the baby. I had the same pleasure in early 2010. Make sure to tell everyone you plan to raise him / her “green” – it does wonders in cutting down on unnecessary gifts and packaging. The in-laws don’t “believe” in AGW, but they have managed to focus on perviously-used clothes and clothes, for which I’m quite grateful.
meant clothes and _toys_
I’m not sure yet. I would very much like to find a way to counter the deniers. They have had their way, especially with the media, for too long. That’s why our old congress had too many deniers and new one is so much worse.
Websites like this one are great, but I’m afraid they are only reaching those who are already convinced. We need to find ways to get the media to recognize the falsehoods and call them out.
First of all, Joe, thank you for Climate Progress and all you do for the climate movement! Congratulations on your inspiring New Year’s resolution, and for your plan to ramp thing up in 2011. We all need to do this if we are going to get the job done that needs doing.
I’ve noticed over and over, in fact and fiction, that when one is fighting a very powerful force, such as is the case of the climate hawks vs. the fossil fuel ‘monster,’ it is often necessary to tap the strength of the beast in order to subdue it. Hence, I resolve to find a new way for clever climate hawks, in the US and around the world, to tap the monster’s strength and turn it inwards in a way that will bring defeat and preserve a livable climate.
Sorry to say, I’m betting that of all the good folks who read Climate Progress, only a small percent have yet been willing to get outside their comfort zones to push Obama, or anyone, as hard as is needed. We need more Wit’s Ends (#50)! All together, lets’ roll!
We’ll hope to see CP readers down the road. Please contact me if you have ideas.
Happy New Year, everyone!
Cheers,
Roger
I simply want to redouble my efforts to promote climate/energy change awareness while enjoying the remaining days of our moderate and stable climate to the fullest.
Stephen (#33),
I wish you luck with that. I actually believe that if the public really understood what had been going on then there would be a great deal of anger.
Here, I will try to explain more basic climate science to people via my own website and, perhaps, via other outlets. A happy new year to you all!
Cheers – John
Sport is global, think of the football world cup which consumed a lot of energy. Aircraft are packed to the rafters with travellers going global (we have all done it, will do again or long to), automobiles are selling and not everyone is opting for a 60 MPG option.
So it goes on, goods, and services bought and made in far off lands offset our emissions but ultimately do nothing for us as pollution is global even if Governments records state otherwise.
Just look at China’s energy requirements. China requires 3.3 TWH (terawatt that is) growing at 5-10% per annum as they produce all of our goods these days. In order to supply us with all of it they need 775 GW of power and even though as Joe says they intend to deploy Nuclear, Geo, Hydro, Wind and solar when you look at the facts of it they deploy a lot more coal than anything else. I am sure that India is the same and these two countries have 2.5 billon people to try and industrialise.
The USA amd Europe cosume roughly the same (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_electricity_consumption) electricity and more oil. I doubt it matters have much reporting is one on renewables vs fossil fuels and how it is made to look but unless second world world type energy conversion goes on its curtains for the world as we know it.
2011 or 2111 it aint gonna matter.
Kap, #54 said:
I’d like to draw your attention to a New Year’s Resolution for 2010, kept by Warren Sender: he wrote a letter to the editor Every Single Day for the whole year.
http://www.dailykos.com/ story/ 2010/ 12/ 31/ 931929/ -A-Year-of-Climate-Letters:-Greatest-Hits-Edition
Thank you so much, Kap, for a great idea! This is my NEW new year’s resolution: I will send out (or tack up) a paper concerning GW (either at a grocery store or send a letter to someone) EVERY DAY through out 2011. And if I miss a day (from trying to drive my car less) then I will put up extra papers when I do go out.
Thanks John #78. Given the wild weather of the last year some people are more open than ever to talk reasonably about climate change in my experience. And your amazing extreme weather pictures are a good starting point for those conversations.
IMO, it is apparent that one of the most obvious manifestation of global warming would be intensifying the extremes. While temperature average is only ~1C, the energy input has been astounding. (Total out put of ~190,000 Nuclear Power plants, each and every day.) That energy in turn gets concentrated thru increased evaporation, (~4%+), ocean currents, jet streams, high and low pressure systems, and on and on… The resulting weather systems snapping like the tip of a lengthening bull whip.
I will continue to ride my bikes pretty much everywhere I go, thus limiting the mileage in my alcohol fed, 35psi turbo cars to a few hundred miles a year. (yes deniers, it is possible to be be into (very) fast cars and not being anti-science/pro pollution).
I will continue to educate people on what is really going on with the weather/climate. As I predicted back in summer, we got an extremely cold start to the winter, and that means public support for climate action has continued its free fall and is now at an all time low in Scandinavia.
I was getting tired of journalists going out of their way to report on the cold local temps without spending a single sentence on the record setting global average temperature, so I emailed some journalists and provided some information. Lo and behold, a few days later, there were articles on the extreme NAO, the extreme warmth in Greenland and the fact that 2010 was on track to become the warmest on record, despite the natural cooling factors and despite years with denier predictions of imminent catastrophic global cooling (cGC).
I’m going to leave my car parked in the garage and ride a bike as much as possible. I have a cyclocross bike, an old british Raleigh DL-1, and a Raleigh Super Tourer that can can all be fitted with racks to carry stuff. Come to think of it, they even make a little trailer that my mountain bike could pull.
I’ll keep pushing for FCOAD fees.
Fossil Carbon Open Air Disposal
I will do more to help spread the word on the critical need to reduce emissions. I will also talk to our politicians and get them to state what they will do to reduce emissions.
The small things are also important so I will also reduce our use of energy at home.
I am going to keep asking for solid published information that will help the general public connect the dots.
One topic of interest at this time is learning more about the relationship, if there is one, between a warm Arctic and the gyrations of the jet stream further southward, including the blocking events. Best wishes to the climatologists and meteorologists who need to talk with each other for better understanding of those patterns.
Thanks to all for sharing the many thoughtful resolutions accumulating here.
1. I will resolve to react with curiosity rather than judgment to those who hold differing opinions and values.
2. I will spend more time outside.
3. I will endeavor to learn new skills, and foster greater competency at things I am already good at.
Dear Joan Savage,
Please keep asking!
The human-induced global predicament that looms before the human family today has been allowed to rampantly grow in my lifetime from a challenge that was manageable to a leviathan of a much more forbidding size. With every passing day, the worldwide challenges resulting from, and driven by, the overconsumption, overproduction and overpopulation activities of the human species become larger, more formidable and much more difficult to address and overcome. The demand characteristics of this unprecedented situation appear to require the active involvement of “all hands on deck”. We have to stop denying what is visible to naked eyes as well as ignoring that which we need to confront, and immediately begin changing the ‘trajectory’ of the predominant civilization from what is soon to become patently unsustainable to an alternate path marked by sustainable lifestyles and right-sized human enterprises.
1)Every day, send/tack up GW info.
2)Try to get speakers for our town (scientists)
3)Join a GW Group
Better late than never:
I will now follow through with my (formerly tentative) plan to run a series of 4-5 short seminars on a very basic “Introduction to the science of Climate Change”. I now have a venue & loan of a data projector & my program is beginning to take shape & a handful of interested ‘students’ ……….with all proceeds going to our astronomy club’s dark sky observatory.
Paulm @ #55 said:
“To take less, give more.”
which in our house we have interpreted for 2011 as to “use what’s in the cupboard” extending this to be a metaphor for substituting, reusing, adapting etc and to making more & more meals out of what we already have growing in our garden.
And similarly to “give more” = here in NZ Oxfam & Greenpeace
http://hot-topic.co.nz/greenpeace-speaking-truth-to-power
are both very actively involved in climate change issues including our Pacific neighbours, so I aim to increase my monthly donations to both.
And the way things are shaping up I am thinking the demand for Shelterboxes
eg. ref. Cororado Bob’s http://tmfishcamp.blogspot.com/
is likely to increase dramatically in the near future so plan to donate to this project as well, you never know who might need one next!