Obvious and proven
There have been a few letters during the past few months about climate change and denying the same, quarrelling about scientific evidences or myths, true or lying statistics.
It is obvious and scientifically proven that climate change is happening. Climate has been changing for millions of years without human impact. The industrial and agricultural revolutions during the past 200 years are based on the use of mineral oil and gas that had developed over millions of years.
Burning oil and gas in tremendous quantities produces enormous amounts of CO2, for which we don’t have enough trees (and the space for them) to absorb it. This leads to a worrisome future.
Obviously, natural occurrences like earthquakes and volcanic eruptions will continue to cause a lot of CO2e emissions, which cannot be avoided.
Scientists, governments, industries, agriculture, transport are aiming to reduce emissions and sequester CO2e to mitigate their effects of further-rising temperatures (banks and insurance companies are threatening them to refuse their services if they don’t have feasible plans in place).
Individuals and their families also need to participate in the goal to avoid a rise of temperature by more than 2.5 degrees C by 2100, to avoid dramatically difficult living conditions for their offspring.
While their individual reduction of emissions by eating less meat, driving and flying less, reducing their consumption, etc, may be a drop into the bucket, many drops from billions of people will also have a positive impact.
The charitable Carbon Neutral NZ Trust is aiming to raise this awareness, and to entice people to do their bit. A carbon calculator is offered to gauge households’ nett carbon footprint, based on their emissions and sequestering/ absorption, as well as advice for actions, which can actually save money (www.carbonneutraltrust. org.nz).
The effect of today’s actions will be noticeable only with a lagging effect, but if we never start, it might be too late. ROLF MUELLER-GLODDE
Carbon Neutral NZ Trust