Originally published Dec 16/15 The Reminder. Flin Flon, Mb. Sponsored by North of 53 Consumers Coop.
A headline today caught my attention. ”Climate Deal Hinges on Buy In from Ordinary People” (cbc.ca Dec 14/15).
Climate change has been in the headlines many times recently because of the COP21 meetings in Paris.
What was COP21? The United Nations Climate Change conferences have been held every year since 1995. This was the 21st Conference of Parties or COP21 for short.
The COP21 was a political negotiation to do something about the big changes science is showing are happening as the earth warms over decades when historically it should be cooling over centuries.
This unusual warming trend is caused by higher levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other gases in the atmosphere trapping heat and changing climate patterns. Melting glaciers and Arctic ice cap, and unusual weather events are increasingly evident.
COP21 ended with a commitment from most of the countries of the world to make big changes.
Canada generates less than two per cent of the world’s greenhouse gases but has one of the highest rates of carbon generated per person in the world. Part of this is because our size and weather.
The Canadian government said it wants to reduce carbon emissions to 30 per cent below our 2005 levels. That would be the same as taking 47.8 million cars off the road.
Reducing carbon emission happens in a variety of ways and will need ordinary people as much as business and industry buying in to make it happen.
The Environment Council’s slogan “Think Globally, Act Locally” definitely applies.
Recycling reduces greenhouse gases.
Transportation choices also make a difference. Drive less. Drive fuel efficient vehicles. Take the bus. Carpool. Ride bike or walk.
Become informed. Be ready to change.
A headline today caught my attention. ”Climate Deal Hinges on Buy In from Ordinary People” (cbc.ca Dec 14/15).
Climate change has been in the headlines many times recently because of the COP21 meetings in Paris.
What was COP21? The United Nations Climate Change conferences have been held every year since 1995. This was the 21st Conference of Parties or COP21 for short.
The COP21 was a political negotiation to do something about the big changes science is showing are happening as the earth warms over decades when historically it should be cooling over centuries.
This unusual warming trend is caused by higher levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other gases in the atmosphere trapping heat and changing climate patterns. Melting glaciers and Arctic ice cap, and unusual weather events are increasingly evident.
COP21 ended with a commitment from most of the countries of the world to make big changes.
Canada generates less than two per cent of the world’s greenhouse gases but has one of the highest rates of carbon generated per person in the world. Part of this is because our size and weather.
The Canadian government said it wants to reduce carbon emissions to 30 per cent below our 2005 levels. That would be the same as taking 47.8 million cars off the road.
Reducing carbon emission happens in a variety of ways and will need ordinary people as much as business and industry buying in to make it happen.
The Environment Council’s slogan “Think Globally, Act Locally” definitely applies.
Recycling reduces greenhouse gases.
Transportation choices also make a difference. Drive less. Drive fuel efficient vehicles. Take the bus. Carpool. Ride bike or walk.
Become informed. Be ready to change.
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