Act now to avert the worst
Displaced & devastated, Nov. 17 What we see in the news out of India and other less privileged places is hitting Canada now. B.C., especially, has suffered, burning up last summer, and, now, drowning under mud and floods.
We have no time left to change our course and end our addiction to fossil fuels. We are not immune to the effects of climate warming, and, increasingly, we will suffer.
We must take action now, both individually and collectively, to avert the worst for ourselves, and for future generations of all species. Molly Lawson Mulloy, Picton, Ont.
Canada worsens crisis by boosting its population
What does the climate deal mean for us?, Nov. 16
Until something constructive is implemented to reduce the growth rate of earth’s human population, the climate crisis will never be resolved. Countries such as Canada that require a high amount of energy are particularly guilty of aggravating the problem by deliberately increasing their population in order to feed an economic structure reliant on growth.
Robert Woodcock, Toronto
Let’s give the gifts of clean air, global co-operation, hope
If that’s success God help us, Nov. 16
We must stop all fossil fuel subsidies, and invest heavily in a just transition locally and globally. It only takes a handful of calls to an MP’s office to make an impact on policy. And talking, just chatting with your neighbour, makes a difference.
Joining an advocacy organization is another step. I’ve been inspired by For Our Kids, and Citizens Climate Lobby, but there are so many others that help bring people together for tangible actions.
As we approach another big consumer season, let’s think and rethink whether we really need to buy that item.
Can we give our children fewer material gifts, and, instead, present them with the gifts of clean air, global co-operation and hope? Rebecca Weigand, Toronto
What about Pearson airport’s contribution?
If that’s success, God help us, Nov. 16
Where is the Star in tackling a massive set of usually-ignored emissions from all the jet travel, not just from Pearson?
As somehow, both jetting and shipping emissions haven’t really been included within national accounts, although on the natural balance sheet, these emissions may be the coup de grace, which is well underway anyway.
Due to the extra warmth caused by the high emissions, and the scale of Pearson and its passenger and freight usages, there’s a truly massive problem in our region.
Is delusion the solution?
Hamish Wilson, Toronto
On greenhouse gas, ‘We have met the enemy and he is us’
Earth is at the heart of vows made in Glasgow, Nov. 11
As the classic cartoon character Pogo is quoted as saying, “We have met the enemy and he is us.”
Yes, excessive greenhouse gasses come from burning fossil fuels with a good portion from livestock, but without humans, the destruction of Planet Earth would stall and Mother Nature would begin restoring a balance.
We are the problem. Everyone needs at least one car, vacations, phones, steaks, and so on. Capitalist rhetoric trumpets that economies need more kids to increase and expand businesses.
Will it change? No, not at all likely as the press, pundits, politicians and the public will ignore that one critical fact: There are too damn many people and they are consuming more and more.
W. R. Thuma, Toronto
There are no clean fossil fuels, some are just dirtier than others.
Now that ‘F words’ were said aloud, let’s be honest
If that’s success God help us, Nov. 16
RUTH ALLEN TORONTO
Too little, too late is usually reserved as a judgment on a failure that could have been averted. So as The Star’s editorial points out, it is with dismay that COP26 is viewed by the powers that be as a win, although fragile, for the climate.
On what planet does it make sense that, although science tells us that 1.5 degree warming is the maximum temperature earth can tolerate before climate disaster, promises made at COP26, if all are kept, will lead to 2.4 degree warming?
This is the first time at a meeting that the words fossil fuels were uttered. Now that the “F words” have been said aloud, let’s be honest. There are no clean fossil fuels, some are just dirtier than others.
Ruth Allen, Toronto
Muslim charity not a source for fighting climate change
Muslims could transform climate change response, Nov. 14
While it is true that Zakat, a kind of charity in which 2.5 per cent of one’s annual income is given to those in need, a vast majority of the Muslim population living in their countries are very poor, and there is no compulsion for them to give Zakat. They are the recipients.
This charity is very important for them, because, in Muslim countries, there is no welfare system.
Collection of Zakat is also not done in an organized way, so I don’t know how the contributor comes to a figure of $1 trillion. It is misleading to suggest that Zakat funds can help climate change efforts.
Rafat Khan, Mississauga