What can a person do?

Posted by cdchase on December 2, 2009 | 3 Comments

As I write this, I’m on my way to Copenhagen to attend the United Nations climate change treaty negotiations, otherwise known as COP15 (Conference of the Parties, 15th meeting). I have always been skeptical of global negotiations, but when I attended an event hosted by the Scripps Institute of Oceanography in October, I heard the head of SIO declare that their scientists have documented a critical impact of climate change on the oceans that “could lead to the oceans having no fish.”  That really stopped me. I mean think about it: no fish in the oceans.
Ocean acidification is where the ph balance of the water is begin driven to be so acid by excess carbon dioxide (due to human-based emissions) that it will dissolve the very nature of shells and bones such that they in essence, dissolve. And you’re left with a big, dead – well we don’t have a word for it – a big dead sludge of water without fish or vetebrate or coral or shell life as we know it. The ramifications of this – well it sounds like a bad science fiction plot – but it’s sadly and alarmingly – a science fact that we are being warned about (see also www.CopenhagenDiagnosis.org).
But what can a person do about this? Climate change, to begin with, is such a huge global phenomena that it’s hard to see where an individual can make a dent. But, indeed, individuals are required to deal with it. And not just by changing their personal choices at home, since that won’t indeed be enough to affect the global climate (yes, we will have to do individual things and we can start now). But most importantly, individuals must participate in their political processes and make climate change an issue for their elected representatives.

As I write this, I’m on my way to Copenhagen to attend the United Nations climate change treaty negotiations, otherwise known as COP15 (Conference of the Parties, 15th meeting). I have always been skeptical of global negotiations, but when I attended an event hosted by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in October, I heard the head of SIO declare that their scientists have documented a critical impact of climate change on the oceans that “could lead to the oceans having no fish.”  That really stopped me. I mean think about it: no fish in the oceans.

Ocean acidification is where the ph balance of the water is begin driven to be so acid by excess carbon dioxide (due to human-based emissions) that it will dissolve the very nature of shells and bones such that they in essence, dissolve. And you’re left with a big, dead – well we don’t have a word for it – a big dead sludge of water without fish or vetebrate or coral or shell life as we know it. The ramifications of this – well it sounds like a bad science fiction plot – but it’s sadly and alarmingly – a science fact that we are being warned about (see also www.CopenhagenDiagnosis.org).

But what can a person do about this? Climate change, to begin with, is such a huge global phenomena that it’s hard to see where an individual can make a dent. But, indeed, individuals are required to deal with it. And not just by changing their personal choices at home, since that won’t indeed be enough to affect the global climate (yes, we will have to do individual things and we can start now). But most importantly, individuals must participate in their political processes and make climate change an issue for their elected representatives.

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Comments (3)

 

  1. Michael Bullock says:
    December 13, 2009 at 8:43 pm

    No fish in the ocean? We could say that GCC is the most important environmental issue in our life time, but that would vastly understate its importance. It is the most important issue ever confronting our species. I would say all species, but lets face it. This problem is ours alone to solve.

    Thank you for your wonderful web site. I look forward to working with you.

  2. cdchase says:
    December 14, 2009 at 9:54 am

    Check out my latest post from “Oceans Day” at COP15 – bottom line is this quote:
    “The biggest thing we miss is a large grassroots movement at home creating the political will necessary to move this issue in Congress.” (behind the scenes quote, US delegate)

  3. A Fink says:
    December 17, 2009 at 7:14 am

    So I have been listening to the reports from Copenhagen and they are disappointing in terms of progress,international cooperation and commitment to action. I am anxious to hear your first hand observations and hope to renew my lost youthful idealism.
    Oh and Carolyn, you sound a lot like Hillary in the video…hmmm an uncanny coincidence? or ?

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