Sometimes, in conversations around making the changes that are necessary for a cleaner, better environment, I hear people talk about any given change and, referring either to themselves or society generally, say “Well, maybe people could make that change, but it would take decades. Nobody can make that change fast, like the science is asking us to do.”
Here is my response: We have all had decades – starting back before I was born, and decades before my kids were born. Like a student who procrastinates all term and then has to do all of their work in the last week of the term, the opportunity to do things more gradually was there, and it wasn’t taken. Now, we have decades of work to do and we have to get it done. There are no extensions available.
It’s time to act – removing fossil fuel subsidies, adding major subsidies to renewables to speed the transition, switching to a local and heavily plant-based diet, living in smaller and more energy efficient homes, getting gas guzzling vehicles off the roads, flying less, reducing emissions in all areas, electing leaders (like Elizabeth May and the Green Party) who will put climate action at the top of the agenda, knowing that some changes will be relatively easy and some will be harder. We need to meet (and exceed) the major climate agreement targets – and we need to do it fast. I believe that it can be done – all it requires is the will to step out of our comfort zone, make the changes and do the right thing.
Toronto Star: Elizabeth May: We have had decades to stop the climate crisis. The era of procrastination must end.
https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/2019/09/03/elizabeth-may-we-have-had-decades-to-stop-the-climate-crisis-the-era-of-procrastination-must-end.html
