24 Hours of Reality

Travel virtually around the world to learn about how carbon pollution is affecting peoples' lives around the globe. Learn about how peoples' lives are already being affected, how cities are trying to adapt, and challenges climate change brings to food security and human health.

This year, 24 Hours of Reality begins on October 22nd at 8am. Visit here for a schedule of online events for various topics. The overarching theme this year is Putting a Price On Carbon. Even though world leaders are so far still refusing to act boldly to reduce carbon dioxide emissions we are already paying for the effects of climate change in disaster relief, food prices and insurance premiums: billions of dollars a year! Putting a price on carbon will make polluters pay for their carbon dioxide emissions and provide a great incentive to reduce them. Take a moment to watch this video for more explanation:



It's time for citizens to unite and demand action. Being involved in 24 Hours of Reality is one way to do that. If you are local, I am hosting a Climate Change presentation at my house the evening of Wednesday the 23. Message me (mamaofmaat@gmail.com) if you are interested in attending.

Australia has already implemented a tax on carbon, and so far it is definitely working:

Happy Birthday to Me!

The day that I share this on Facebook is my real birthday. Happy Birthday to me! 

Here is My Birthday Wish:

I want a world full of solar and other renewable energy because:

and I think that windmills are beautiful:

 

Especially when considering the alternative:

Canadian Tar Sands: boreal forests stripped then mined, no life remains, water is irreparably fouled

And lastly, because:

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What EVERYONE should know: Climate Change, the IPCC, & The Price ofCarbon Pollution

Since climate change was my main reason for starting this blog, let's talk about the latest report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The IPCC operates under the umbrella of the United Nations and its purpose is "to provide the world with a clear scientific view on the current state of knowledge in climate change and its potential environmental and socioeconomic impacts."

Last week the IPCC released their 5th report on climate change. Here are the biggest conclusions:

•  Scientists say global warming is "unequivocal." They report with 95% certainty that human activities are responsible for the increase in global average temperatures since 1950. This is up from 90% certainty in the last IPCC report.
• Humanity can emit 1 trillion tons of CO2 in order to keep warming below 2 degrees celsius (3.6 degrees Farhenheit), which is what they say is needed to avoid the most catastophic effects of climate change. We have already emitted more than half of that through burning fossil fuels and destroying forests and other ecosystems.
• At this rate, we will reach 1 trillion tons of CO2 emitted into the atmosphere by 2040.

But don't just take my word for it. You can read the IPCC report summary yourself to get more facts, figures, statistics and trends, or consider reading this Grist article. Also read this amusing, yet factual BuzzFeed post which responds to many of the lies that "deniers" cling to in order to confuse people into thinking that climate change is not real or dangerous. If you are totally new to climate science read my laymans summary.

Why should we worry about climate change? Professor Sir Brian Hoskins, from Imperial College London summed it up nicely for BBC News when he said, "We are performing a very dangerous experiment with our planet, and I don't want my grandchildren to suffer the consequences of that experiment." Well, I certainly don't want my children to suffer the consequences either, and I know this is a common sentiment among parents and grandparents around the country and the world. Let's not beat around the bush: runaway climate change threatens most life on earth. Maybe the cockroaches will be fine.

Americans are not worried enough about climate change. That needs to change. We should have more people marching in the streets demanding action from our politicians. We need more individuals to divest from fossil fuels, invest in renewables, and reduce their own carbon footprint. I have shared with you what my family has done so far, but we all need to become fossil fuel free, ASAP. 100%.

We can't do it alone as concerned individuals though. The most effective way to drastically reduce CO2 emissions at this time is to put a price on carbon. Make polliters pay. I will explore this more in future posts, but to get you started, watch this:




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