Last Ditch

Times are tough and the news is tougher. Not to bludgeon you with bad news but our climate is very not okay. Despite a lot of attempts to paint the climate crisis as an opportunity or high tech solutions as our ultimate savour, things are very, very bad.

In a recent poll of the world’s top climate scientists, The Guardian found that the vast majority of those scientists expect catastrophic warming. These are the top minds of climate science and nearly all of them see us breaking well above the much coveted but still pretty disastrous 1.5 degrees of warming.

In February, for the first time on record, global warming has exceeded temperatures of 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) over a 12-month period, European climate monitors have said, in what scientists called a “warning to humanity. This month also saw Venezuela become the first country in modern times to lose all of its glaciers and far faster than expected.

The connection between oil and gas and climate policy was also laid brazenly clear, as Washington Post reported that Donald Trump also recently proposed a deal in front of some of the top US oil bosses, suggesting that if they give him $1 Billion for his re-election campaign, that he would instantly tear up Joe Biden’s environmental regulations and prevent any new ones. According to the Washington Post, Trump made this pitch, which the paper described as “remarkably blunt and transactional”, at a dinner at his Mar-a-Lago home/golf course.

So, what do we do? I’m assuming if you’ve found this site and follow Last Ditch, you already feel a sense of urgency. I don’t share climate news like this to spread fear or hopelessness (though I often feel both) but to empower us to be crystal clear what is at stake and who stands in the way.

We have already seen the price paid for by populations who dare resist ecocide. The profiteers and architects of our climate demise care nothing for our collective future. As ever, the time is here to double down on curbing carbon emissions.

As Dr. Henri Waisman, at the IDDRI policy research institute in France, said: “Climate change is not a black or white question and every tenth of a degree matters a lot, especially when you look at the socioeconomic impacts. This means it is still useful to continue the fight.”

ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE:

There’s many actions you can take but I highly recommend taking a look at some of 350.org’s actions. Here are some more examples of direct actions you can take:

1. Divestment Campaigns: Pressure institutions like universities, pension funds, and banks to divest from fossil fuel companies. This involves withdrawing financial support and investment from these industries, which can significantly impact their operations and profitability.
2. Protests and Demonstrations: Organizing and participating in protests, rallies, and marches can raise awareness about the environmental and social impacts of the oil and gas industry. These events can also put pressure on policymakers and companies to take action on climate change.
3. Legal Action: Supporting or initiating legal challenges against oil and gas companies for their contributions to climate change and environmental destruction can hold them accountable. This can include lawsuits for damages, regulatory violations, or lobbying for stronger environmental regulations.
4. Direct Action and Civil Disobedience: Non-violent direct actions such as blockades, sit-ins, and occupations of fossil fuel infrastructure can disrupt operations and draw attention to the urgency of addressing climate change.
5. Promotion of Renewable Energy: Advocate for and invest in renewable energy alternatives such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power. Supporting policies that incentivize renewable energy development and adoption can also help accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels.
6. Community-Based Initiatives: Communities can come together to develop and implement local initiatives aimed at reducing reliance on fossil fuels. This can include community solar projects, car-sharing programs, and promoting sustainable land use practices like urban farming and reforestation.
7. Consumer Boycotts: Boycotting companies that have poor environmental records or actively support the fossil fuel industry can exert economic pressure and encourage them to change their practices. This can involve choosing alternative products and services from environmentally responsible companies.
8. Political Engagement: Engaging in political processes by voting for candidates who support climate action, contacting elected officials to express concerns about fossil fuel policies, and participating in grassroots advocacy campaigns can help shape policies that reduce reliance on oil and gas and promote renewable energy.

Homesteads and swales ain’t gonna get us out of this mess, pals.

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