Climate Crisis: How can I ACTUALLY make a difference?
Anonymous
Contributor
The biggest question amongst our generation is: How can I combat climate change? We’ve been aware of the problem for years, yet there’s a shared realization that nothing is getting done. And we’re not delusional; we are expected to halve carbon emissions by 2030 and become completely carbon neutral by 2050. Governments insist everything is running smoothly, yet the situation is truly worrisome. With our current course of action, we will not limit the Earth’s warming to 1.5 degrees. The Biden administration approving the Willow project, a pipeline going through Alaska, is proof politicians are not taking this crisis seriously and are driven by money (come on, we’re still stuck on fossil fuels? In 2023?!) Not to mention, we are supposed to reach peak oil (maximum rate of oil production) sometime within the next ten to fifteen years.
Now, let’s focus on SOLUTIONS. The most important thing to realize is that even though there’s isn’t much time, there’s still enough to make a difference. This new nihilist thinking amongst our peers (“Well, we’re screwed anyway so there’s no use…”) is not going to get us anywhere. One of the main things we can do is protest non-violently and get the system shaken up. Now, you may note that we’ve already protested and there’s no seeming action. We cannot demand action once or twice a year; this must be a more frequent event. Greta Thunberg is a fantastic example; she saw no one was acting and decided to act for humanity’s future every Friday. Women gained the right to vote, segregation was ended, and human rights were fought for through non-violent protest.
Greta Thunberg also said: “We can no longer save the world by playing by the rules”. It’s time to get angry (because yes, this situation is unjust! We are allowed to be frustrated with our near futures being sabotaged!) and channel this frustration of inaction into action.
Side note: When the Black Lives Matter Movement was in full swing, I made a sign for BLM and stood by a busy intersection for hours. Cars honked, people came to talk to me and a strong sense of awareness of the movement was made, right here, in the West Island. Every action is meaningful in the fight for our not-so-distant futures. I, as well as the rest of my peers, want to live a fulfilling, healthy life. The only thing is, we now must fight for it.
(Check out Extinction Rebellion: https://rebellion.global/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdZAvdPSU_Q&ab_channel=ExtinctionRebellionUK)