Shaky foundations

The house shook – even more than last week’s earthquake. A 20 foot tree crashed to the ground, its roots bare in the rain; an iron sheet flew from the neighbour’s fence. But we were the lucky ones. Some cars and houses were crushed; thousands without power even a week later; families homeless. Yet this was Melbourne!

 

I checked on family and friends but none of us could remember such winds in this city. It seems to get worse as the years go by. Perhaps global warming is also a warning. I wonder what storms in life my grandchildren will face. Yet we blithely continue as if nothing was happening. What will they think of our inactivity- our ignorance?

 

Many people were delighted to hear that Australia is to go to the Glasgow conference on climate change with a plan for net zero emissions by 2050. However, the conference in fact is seeking urgent action including new targets for 2030.

By 2050 I will be dead, but my 8 grandchildren will face a world that is being destroyed unless much more urgent action is taken. I will not know if these targets, without clear costing or substance, will be met. But I can envisage living to 2030 perhaps. I’d like to make a difference that will help my grandchildren bring up their grandchildren safely before then.

Like other members of my generation, I once took fossil fuels for granted. Glasgow, where I grew up, relied on coal in every household. It was even one of the traditional New Year gifts with the greeting “Lang may yer lum reek” (Long may your chimney smoke). Scotland’s capital was affectionately known as Auld Reekie! Rather than guilt for what was normal, we need to act to make a difference now. The coming election give an opportunity to ask serious questions of every candidate.

David Attenborough seems worn out from decades of constant warnings which have largely been ignored. At least now, the European Union, the United Kingdom, the United States Canada, Japan, South Korea and possibly China, have faced the challenges with new reduced targets for 2030. To be effective the world needs a 75% reduction by then. Australia and New Zealand as always are lagging behind. If we discount the largely state initiated changes in land use, Australian emissions have continued to rise.

The cost of not facing climate change is much greater than the cost of acting NOW. Some Pacific Nations probably cannot be saved as the sea levels rise. Polar ice has already reduced to a dangerous degree. Ocean currents have been disrupted. Forests have been destroyed. The natural habitats of many species have been destroyed. Droughts and storms and fires have increased.

All this affects our economy and our future. Famine and war are likely to increase. Refugees will be commonplace. Competition for food and resources will be extreme.

BUT some action is possible. The Federal Government talks almost exclusively of not yet guaranteed research and new technology. We could encourage electrical vehicles available now with subsides and support for charging stations. At a state level we could support the Solar Our Schools initiative which would save valuable funds for education rather than electricity or other heating costs. It would provide additional employment and reduce the cost to encourage other use of solar panels and batteries. Churches could take the lead in installing panels too. Blinds, warmer clothing rather than electricity and gas, and solar panels can be simple changes at home.

Whether we will have a world or not is the one question we must face – honestly – or all other questions will cease to matter.