Image credit: NOAA.gov
Tom Cervone, Ph.D., Maureen Houlihan, D.C., Nicole Cervone-Gish, M.S., and Michael Cervone, B.S.
Our Planet Earth
Author’s note: This website encourages and informs all people to act with care for our Common Home.
Introduction
In today’s age, many of us have heard the term “climate realism” rather than “climate change.” Tenets of climate realism emphasize that people need to prepare for inevitable warming, prioritize our adaptation and resilience, and in preparation, advance our national interests, and rethink our global cooperation.
At the end of this article, climate realism is strongly criticized by our former vice president, Al Gore. Criticism comes from our being doomed to fail; the risks of wealthy nations taking advantage of developing nations; delays in our current positive efforts; and it does not address the mitigation of 1-2 billion refugees by 2050.
Considering all the great things that have happened in converting our energy from non-renewable to renewable, it would seem counterproductive to stop now unless there are other considerations. One such consideration may be that lobbyists for fossil fuel companies want the burning of fossil fuels. It may also deal with corporate agendas, projected quotas, and getting the most now before any nonrenewable energy sources vanish.
Should a few people and a few companies gain monetary wealth at the expense of killing the planet? Yes, they offer carefully prepared speeches and present sound bites that simply distract everyone into thinking we cannot do something that we’re already doing quite well now. We’re doing such amazing things, and we will continue to do them into the future if we have the leadership. For instance, where is the Inflation Reduction Act that put billions of dollars into helping save the planet? Where are we with our NATO allies and the Paris Agreement? Could not the Montreal Protocol be a guide for us? Is the current administration requiring NASA to remove two satellites that monitor carbon dioxide levels on Earth, and if so, WHY?
We do know that we cannot continue to use our atmosphere and oceans as open sewers, including the decimation of our forests, especially rain forests. You’ve heard these words for many decades, but there’s really an urgency now to save this planet. Dr. Margaret Chan, the former World Health Organization Director-General, said, “Climate change is the greatest global health threat of the 21 st century.”
So do not fall for the distraction by climate realists, which will only exacerbate the situation to a point of no return. We do not want to give up on our planet and its people, many of whom are our loved ones who have illnesses that air, water, and land pollution will only worsen. Our global surface temperatures have increased because of greenhouse effects (see chart above) and they must be lowered for us to survive during this very important time in our planet’s history. Our lives depend upon reducing carbon emissions and getting the temperatures down. We simply wish to reduce the burning of non-renewable energy sources! Accepting climate realism is a giving-up response, and an easy wrong.
What Can You Do?
To combat climate realism, we should advocate for aggressive climate change mitigation efforts. We need to transition to renewable energy like solar and wind and work for more efficiency in transportation and in our homes. By consuming less energy and fewer products and supporting policies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, we can gain ground and reverse current trends.
We can also support organizations and initiatives that are focused on transitioning to more sustainable economies and learn from other countries like Switzerland. They currently are experimenting with solar panels placed between railroad tracks that generate electricity, combined with their continued use as existing rail lines.
On the individual level, we can combat climate realism by recycling, reusing, traveling less, reducing our consumption, walking and bicycling, eating locally grown foods, making our homes more energy-efficient, using less water, and addressing plastic pollution. At the same time, we can promote green efforts to grow food, plant trees, and curb any excess waste, along with reducing urban sprawl and significantly reducing non-permeable surfaces.
YouTube on Climate Realism:
Quote: In a November 2019 speech, former Vice President Al Gore said, “…for anyone who thinks we do not, as human beings, have the political will to bring about the necessary changes, please remember that political will is itself a renewable resource.”
Tom Cervone, Ph.D., is the founder of Our Planet Earth. Sister Maureen Houlihan, D.C., is a member of the “Care of Earth” Committee of the Daughters of Charity. Nicole Cervone-Gish, Ed., M.S. is an award-winning St. Elizabeth Anne Seton teacher at Holy Spirit. Michael Cervone, B.S., is the programmer and designer of Our Planet Earth website.
Comments may be directed to ourplanetearth.eco@gmail.com Thank you!