“The rapid changes we experience now are not normal: there was an old normal, but there is no new normal.”
A fiercely important writing that should cause deepest worry in every person on the planet. This year has pushed us closer to the brink with little action from leaders or countries to hold back the inevitable. It’s true that news sources give our most eminent crisis and its cause back page treatment while other news of bad actors and misplaced focus distract attention from the future of our planet. Global disasters are stacking up and news can’t keep up.
It’s up to important voices like yours to lead the way. As politicians jockey for self aggrandizing issues, we cannot depend on their non-leadership.
It’s never been more important to vote for leaders who put the planet first and join with scientists and climate experts to save what we can.
Yes, we can do better! We must!
Thank you for focusing on saving our beautiful home and using your voice, experience and influence in all ways possible. 🙏
Thank you. Yes we can and must do better. The panic is only in the eyes of those who are hit by these extreme events, and that’s hardly ever the CEO or political leaders of a country
I too believe we can do better, which is why I continue to work in the field of human rights and teach critical theories irrespectively of popularity. I do not use FB or IG, and spend little-to-zero time looking at cute pics or funny videos unless they come directly from one of my adorable nephews or nieces.
RE. your questions—yes, I personally experience extreme weather, and my local news (miraculously) keeps me informed. And yes, I am very aware of what's happening in Africa, especially as several close friends work for the UN in various countries throughout Africa.
Also, "The New Humanitarian" does a good job of factual, on the ground reporting.
Now I have a question—one which I think is what originally connected me to your work—what's the most efficient way to link climate chaos to human rights in a legal, judicial, policy framework? So far, all measures seem to move at a snail's pace.
That’s a good one. Start with examples. I focussed for instance on the “child brides” in Malawi; abuse at a huge scale that has significantly increased because of climate change. Or take one where the link is easier to see like the human right to water (and access to water and climate change are clearly related). In the past few years the impact has grown so much that the connections are clear to see. And since we protect human rights we also have to protect the climate.
I look also at poverty, conflict and migration issues that have exacerbated through climate change. The connections are rather indisputable in these situations, as well as in those you've mentioned. Moreover, as you've said, human rights and the environment are clearly intertwined. The question I pose—which I know, is somewhat rhetorical at this stage—was more about getting governments to take accountability.
If we each look at our lives, we can see what to do in our own ways...as well as be certain every elected official is willing to fight the climate crisis. On Tuesday, Gov Newsom and Cal-ISO issued a emergency energy alert and in FIVE (5) Minutes Californians responded and a power outage was avoided. Extra amazing in the sweltering 100+ degree heat we’ve had for over a week.
I read about that horrible and record breaking heawave. These are scary temperatures. But I hadn’t heard of the story you just told, an interesting case.
Yes, it was covered locally but not on natl news. Would you believe there’s a hurricane heading north from Mexico? It’s supposed to hit So CA Friday night. That will cut our heatwave!
“The rapid changes we experience now are not normal: there was an old normal, but there is no new normal.”
A fiercely important writing that should cause deepest worry in every person on the planet. This year has pushed us closer to the brink with little action from leaders or countries to hold back the inevitable. It’s true that news sources give our most eminent crisis and its cause back page treatment while other news of bad actors and misplaced focus distract attention from the future of our planet. Global disasters are stacking up and news can’t keep up.
It’s up to important voices like yours to lead the way. As politicians jockey for self aggrandizing issues, we cannot depend on their non-leadership.
It’s never been more important to vote for leaders who put the planet first and join with scientists and climate experts to save what we can.
Yes, we can do better! We must!
Thank you for focusing on saving our beautiful home and using your voice, experience and influence in all ways possible. 🙏
Thank you. Yes we can and must do better. The panic is only in the eyes of those who are hit by these extreme events, and that’s hardly ever the CEO or political leaders of a country
I fully agree and hope your voice for urgent action from the governments is heard.
Thank you Ricardo!
I too believe we can do better, which is why I continue to work in the field of human rights and teach critical theories irrespectively of popularity. I do not use FB or IG, and spend little-to-zero time looking at cute pics or funny videos unless they come directly from one of my adorable nephews or nieces.
RE. your questions—yes, I personally experience extreme weather, and my local news (miraculously) keeps me informed. And yes, I am very aware of what's happening in Africa, especially as several close friends work for the UN in various countries throughout Africa.
Also, "The New Humanitarian" does a good job of factual, on the ground reporting.
Now I have a question—one which I think is what originally connected me to your work—what's the most efficient way to link climate chaos to human rights in a legal, judicial, policy framework? So far, all measures seem to move at a snail's pace.
That’s a good one. Start with examples. I focussed for instance on the “child brides” in Malawi; abuse at a huge scale that has significantly increased because of climate change. Or take one where the link is easier to see like the human right to water (and access to water and climate change are clearly related). In the past few years the impact has grown so much that the connections are clear to see. And since we protect human rights we also have to protect the climate.
I look also at poverty, conflict and migration issues that have exacerbated through climate change. The connections are rather indisputable in these situations, as well as in those you've mentioned. Moreover, as you've said, human rights and the environment are clearly intertwined. The question I pose—which I know, is somewhat rhetorical at this stage—was more about getting governments to take accountability.
If we each look at our lives, we can see what to do in our own ways...as well as be certain every elected official is willing to fight the climate crisis. On Tuesday, Gov Newsom and Cal-ISO issued a emergency energy alert and in FIVE (5) Minutes Californians responded and a power outage was avoided. Extra amazing in the sweltering 100+ degree heat we’ve had for over a week.
I read about that horrible and record breaking heawave. These are scary temperatures. But I hadn’t heard of the story you just told, an interesting case.
Yes, it was covered locally but not on natl news. Would you believe there’s a hurricane heading north from Mexico? It’s supposed to hit So CA Friday night. That will cut our heatwave!
Yes I read about it. So much extreme weather this year!