Some thoughts that are not about global warming.
Often when I meet people after a hot, or cold, day, they challenge me with, "Patrick, is this global warming?" My usual sort of reply is: "I thought you knew the difference between climate and weather!"
This takes me not to talk about global warming, and the inherent climate change, but to the core issue. These changes are a problem, yes, but they are symptoms of a whole spectrum of problems - problems caused by the actions, activities and behaviours of you and I along with our fellow beings. Problems driven by our beliefs, values and institutions that have evolved over the last millennium.
When I said above, "… along with our fellow human beings.", I do not mean everyone on the planet. Clearly the Inuit, or the Australian Aboriginals, and other similar groupings, are not part of the cause of our problems. Their 'footprint‘ is too small. Yet it maybe though within their value structure and thoughts we could find a part of the solution. But that is another element of this story.
The issue is of a society locked into a set of paradigms based upon a destructive set principles and practices that evolved recently in the development of our civilisation. Principles and practices that encompass: companies whose core legal duty is to their shareholders; a set of financial principles that sees 'growth‘ as its core driver; a largely post-WW2 phenomenon called 'consumerism‘; and a political system based upon short-termism and selfishness. (Note please, I do not equate 'self-interest‘ with 'selfishness‘.)
We in Australia are amongst the 20% of the population of the world who consume 80% of its resources. Were everyone on this planet to consume at the rate you and I are doing, it has been estimated we would need 3 or 5 planets like earth to satisfy their needs.
These figures do not yet include China and India. It is worth pointing out that the population of the US is 307 million. It is considered the middle-class group in China today is about 350 million. I invite you to reflect upon the inevitability of these 350 million expanding to say 50% of the total Chinese population and becoming consumers like you and I.
Simply, our society takes materials out of the ground faster than they can be replaced; we put poisons out into the environment that are toxic to nearly all forms of life; we overcrop, overuse and misuse good agricultural land; and finally we have created a world full of inequity.
We live in a world out of balance. That is my message today in these few words.