A sea of troubles

From childhood for some reason part of Hamlet’s soliloquy has caught in my mind.

“Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, And by opposing end them?”.

For many of our Pacific Nations the sea is in fact a sea of troubles with the possibility of some being extensively flooded and some disappearing as global warming increases. Already thy have suffered the devastation of typhoons and underground eruptions.

In Australia we are concerned we might lose power now and then but as billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes has pointed out “At some point we have to admit we have made this problem ourselves.” He was the one who provided funding for candidates in the recent election who supported policies to promote climate action and most of the independents who were successful were in that group. As its majority shareholder he also scuttled the plans of AGL to divide the company assets in a way that would preserve coal at the expense of renewables. AGL is one of the companies with its own generators. He chose to” take up arms”.

Most of us are not billionaires but we can do our part. Both major parties still support huge subsidies to coal which could make a huge difference to the development of renewable energy if those funds were diverted as well as removing a major pollutant. Coal is not profitable without these subsidies. We have the power to contact our local members and state a view. The last election has alerted even our sleepy politicians to the fact that climate action is seen as a major issue. Keep them awake.

The Uniting Church Towards Zero program is beginning to make a difference. Gardiner, Glen Waverley and  Bentleigh are among those who have made enormous changes with the introduction of rainwater tanks, introduction of native plants, recycling, more efficient heating, energy efficient lighting and solar panels as well as educational programs. They have made intelligent use of subsidies but have in some instance funded the programs initially by loans from congregation members easily repaid from the considerable savings and even profits from these changes. Burwood Heights has introduced more efficient lighting.

In the midst of the “sea of troubles” unlike poor Hamlet there is hope . Australia has at last committed to an increased commitment to reduced emissions by 2030 – 43% instead of 28% - though some suggested it needs to be closer to 75% to be effective. Supermarkets are making considerable efforts to reduce waste and improve energy efficiency. Government programs are available to encourage more efficient lighting and heating and many people are beginning to consider possibilities even if there is an initial increased cost. In fact, almost everything you due to improve your “carbon footprint” will also save you money in the long run. More importantly it may preserve this earth for your grandchildren and their grandchildren.

Perhaps it really is possible to oppose the sea of troubles and by opposing end them.