We are, without a doubt, at a point at which hope, without action, is meaningless to our children. We need action. That includes the kinds that are easy (like remembering to bring a grocery bag.) However, it also includes significant steps that will not be convenient or easy. It requires radical changes to our lives – not just once, but every year, for the foreseeable future. It requires changes to how we eat, how we live, how we get around and who we elect to government.
There are various numbers being put out – and I’m not going to focus on all of the specifics here, just the overview.
The Green Party believes Canada should commit to cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40% below 2005 levels by 2025. Our long-term target should be to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, with further cuts to greenhouse gas emissions of at least 80% to 90%, compared to 1990
https://www.greenparty.ca/en/backgrounder/2015-06-14/green-party%E2%80%99s-climate-change-plan (from 2015)
The plan targets 60 per cent GHG reductions against 2005 levels by 2030 and zero emissions by 2050. (Green Party, Canada, 2019)
https://www.greenparty.ca/en/media-release/2019-05-16/elizabeth-may-unveils-mission-possible-%E2%80%93-green-climate-action-plan (2019)
This is a call that we must take seriously. A reduction of over 50% in only a few years is what we are being asked to do. Thinking about that practically that means:
- radically overhauling transportation and other sectors
- electing governments with exceptionally strong climate action plans (Greens, in Canada – in my opinion)
- changing our own personal choices
- If our house is 50% bigger than it needs to be, for example, downsizing is a way to reduce our emissions – a smaller, equally efficient house is less space to heat and cool.
- Making a variety of changes to how we eat (plant-based, local, organic as much as possible.)
- Transitioning away from gas-powered items as quickly as possible (vehicles, lawn mowers etc).
- Realizing that we don’t have the luxury to pick and choose anymore. We all have to do our best, in every sector, knowing that some changes will be easier, and others will be harder. Some we might be able to make a lot of progress on right away and others might take a bit more planning, but we can get there, and we need to try.
I believe that we can do this – if we genuinely work together to make the changes that are needed. Let’s do this together! 🙂
