This year was likely the warmest of the past 100,000 years. Formulating it this way in my opening sentence sounds like living to witness this moment is like winning the national lottery. However, the reality is less joyful, and a culmination of misbehavior should never be treated as a celebratory event.
What a powerful synopsis you’ve presented in humanity’s time on this planet and how we have affected it. When viewed in this scenario, it’s beyond shocking. Our presence is the worst thing that could have happened to this celestial body we call home.
The timeline and dramatic changes over the past century are incontrovertible evidence of what humans have done to Earth, the most unique and extraordinary terrestrial body we know of. With the knowledge we now have, there should be no alternative but to make every effort to save it every day of our lives here.
I recall a quote from your last newsletter: “ You can be an agent of progress; you may feel small, but never forget we have power in numbers.”
It's not yet the first of the year but my resolutions begin now. The "I'm sure it's fine" crowd will need to be awakened. For years my conversations with people have been exploratory; how do they feel about climate change and what do they think of action for our planet. Now is the time for militancy.
This morning I wrote to the Democratic Party with three demands: Biden stops using our tax dollars to fund genocide, Biden demands a ceasefire, give us a candidate we can all truly support. My expectations are low because we're dealing with the "I'm sure it's fine" crowd.
Nearly two years ago I made enormous changes in my life. Most people thought I was crazy. Alexander was the inspiration behind my decision. I am living the 15 minute city dream. After having two careers forcing me to drive 100-200 miles daily, it was uncomfortable at first to be car-free. Now I'm pleased to save $10,000 per year and relieved I'm not contributing to polluting our home. Not everyone can do this but we can all make some kind of contribution. Next up; fire Amazon.
Thank you, Rena. I’m so happy to read this. It feels good to make changes for a better planet. I experienced it myself but I also hear it from so many others. In most cases, it’s not a sacrifice at all, you find new joys you weren’t aware of before.
«… We started wiping out other species at unprecedented rates, polluted everything from the deepest trenches of the ocean to high levels in the atmosphere, and in the past decades (a fraction of the last millisecond of the 24-hour clock), we efficiently started the project that will assure that more intelligent forms of life in a far future will forever remember us as the villains of the planet; long after we have died out, we'll be known as the species altering the temperature of Earth while calling ourselves sapiens. …»
Shame on this sapiens...
This paragraph from the Planet newsletter mentions the alpine glaciers discreetly. All touristic economical activities in these regions concern millions of people, are risky and in jeopardy because of climate change and some ways of life.
The year I was born there were 331.36 ppm carbon in the atmosphere. So that's +90.19 ppm in my lifetime so far. Then the site I checked on helpfully told me that the 48 years before it only rose by 25.16 ppm. Now I feel like hitting the climate change deniers over the head with those numbers. Not that that would be helpful.
Thank you for taking us along on this journey and for summing up what's been going on. And also for mentioning that 24h clock again. I still can't wrap my head around that but I think our species needs a name change - "sapiens" is clearly a misnomer.
I love your message at the end and after the past four years I've had I'm a firm believer that any kind of change is possible. We can do this. One step at the time. And we're getting more and more. Plus, as you've said before - the fossil fuel industry is starting to feel the heat. We're getting there.
I’d love to hear individual actions like Rena’s 15 minute city (which I have done for several years in the late 90s) but not possible in current location where I will end this journey. Some may think changes are obvious but I don’t believe that.
Apart from abandoning fossil fuels there must be many more “baby steps” that in aggregate will be helpful. Eat vegan for example. How about sharing favorites? Limiting showers, laundry for example. More? Thank you for all you do, Alexander. 😘
What a powerful synopsis you’ve presented in humanity’s time on this planet and how we have affected it. When viewed in this scenario, it’s beyond shocking. Our presence is the worst thing that could have happened to this celestial body we call home.
The timeline and dramatic changes over the past century are incontrovertible evidence of what humans have done to Earth, the most unique and extraordinary terrestrial body we know of. With the knowledge we now have, there should be no alternative but to make every effort to save it every day of our lives here.
I recall a quote from your last newsletter: “ You can be an agent of progress; you may feel small, but never forget we have power in numbers.”
It’s time everyone becomes such an agent.
I believe our numbers are growing, and yes, each one extra on board helps.
Well said. As always.
It's not yet the first of the year but my resolutions begin now. The "I'm sure it's fine" crowd will need to be awakened. For years my conversations with people have been exploratory; how do they feel about climate change and what do they think of action for our planet. Now is the time for militancy.
This morning I wrote to the Democratic Party with three demands: Biden stops using our tax dollars to fund genocide, Biden demands a ceasefire, give us a candidate we can all truly support. My expectations are low because we're dealing with the "I'm sure it's fine" crowd.
Nearly two years ago I made enormous changes in my life. Most people thought I was crazy. Alexander was the inspiration behind my decision. I am living the 15 minute city dream. After having two careers forcing me to drive 100-200 miles daily, it was uncomfortable at first to be car-free. Now I'm pleased to save $10,000 per year and relieved I'm not contributing to polluting our home. Not everyone can do this but we can all make some kind of contribution. Next up; fire Amazon.
Thank you, Rena. I’m so happy to read this. It feels good to make changes for a better planet. I experienced it myself but I also hear it from so many others. In most cases, it’s not a sacrifice at all, you find new joys you weren’t aware of before.
«… We started wiping out other species at unprecedented rates, polluted everything from the deepest trenches of the ocean to high levels in the atmosphere, and in the past decades (a fraction of the last millisecond of the 24-hour clock), we efficiently started the project that will assure that more intelligent forms of life in a far future will forever remember us as the villains of the planet; long after we have died out, we'll be known as the species altering the temperature of Earth while calling ourselves sapiens. …»
Shame on this sapiens...
This paragraph from the Planet newsletter mentions the alpine glaciers discreetly. All touristic economical activities in these regions concern millions of people, are risky and in jeopardy because of climate change and some ways of life.
The glaciers deserve another newsletter. Some day. I hope to focus on lighter themes for the next two weeks or so.
The year I was born there were 331.36 ppm carbon in the atmosphere. So that's +90.19 ppm in my lifetime so far. Then the site I checked on helpfully told me that the 48 years before it only rose by 25.16 ppm. Now I feel like hitting the climate change deniers over the head with those numbers. Not that that would be helpful.
Thank you for taking us along on this journey and for summing up what's been going on. And also for mentioning that 24h clock again. I still can't wrap my head around that but I think our species needs a name change - "sapiens" is clearly a misnomer.
I love your message at the end and after the past four years I've had I'm a firm believer that any kind of change is possible. We can do this. One step at the time. And we're getting more and more. Plus, as you've said before - the fossil fuel industry is starting to feel the heat. We're getting there.
Yes they are starting to feel the heat and that is also a quite recent positive change.
I’d love to hear individual actions like Rena’s 15 minute city (which I have done for several years in the late 90s) but not possible in current location where I will end this journey. Some may think changes are obvious but I don’t believe that.
Apart from abandoning fossil fuels there must be many more “baby steps” that in aggregate will be helpful. Eat vegan for example. How about sharing favorites? Limiting showers, laundry for example. More? Thank you for all you do, Alexander. 😘
Thank you, Judith. And eating less meat is certainly an important one.
If you have a gas range, purchase a simple portable induction cooktop for $63US. A number of utility companies are offering full rebates up to $100.
✅ no gas stove or gas at all! 😘