Most of the ‘climate realists’ I have spoken with, whether in an interview on our radio show or in casual conversation, went through some sort of journey to get the point where they accept climate reality; it often wasn’t easy. My case is no different; I did not always accept reality, but now understand why Gandhi once said “Truth is God.”

During my journey from climate sceptic/denier to climate warrior, some sources of knowledge were reliably honest, others were simply regurgitated opinions, and still others were outright wrong by design or denial. I have listed the books, movies, courses, and other actions that helped me face the truth, then accept it. I will warn you that the journey is highly personal, so may not apply to you. It also strays from strictly climate change into issues that were, for me, related. YMMV. Continue reading →

This is a big year for humans and our planet. Our ‘leaders’ in Copenhagen accomplished nothing useful, so now we must take the lead. Fortunately, there are many very useful things you can do, or even better, your family or group of friends can do.

Even if you do just one thing per month, the cumulative impact is substantial. Of course, we need everyone doing these things, otherwise we all swirl down the toilet bowl of history together – not that there will be anyone to write it. However, these action items focus not simply on lightening your load on the planet – they also make you a leader, and that’s what we really need: millions of people leading, showing the rest of humanity and our so-called leaders how it’s done.

We simply cannot emit any more greenhouse gases (GHGs), and must begin pulling them out of the atmosphere (and ocean) immediately. The longer we delay, the less likely our survival. So make this your year to “go green” in your own ways. Here you go: One action per month to save ourselves: Continue reading →

It is all of these. For the developing countries:

Copenhagen is like finally admitting to yourself that someone you thought was a good friend has been stealing from you. For years. Lying to your face the whole time. And with no intention of going honest any time soon.

Copenhagen is like finally admitting to yourself that this person is not your friend, probably never was, and doesn’t really even know what it means to be a friend.

Copenhagen is the realisation that leadership will not come from the rich countries. Canada and the United States will not do the right and honourable thing. We will not even do what is sensible to save ourselves.

Copenhagen means you must defend yourselves from us. We’ll still be dumping greenhouse gases while you are struggling with millions of climate refugees, with flooded cities and ruined farmland, with economic and social disaster. Not our problem.

These are the harsh truths of Copenhagen: You must lead and you must protect yourselves from us. We are not your friend.

You should go after Rex Tillerson and Stephen Harper for crimes against humanity. Tillerson because his company has funded climate denial for years, and Harper because he stabbed you in the back at Copenhagen and Bali; their actions will cost you dearly.

Copenhagen has failed to produce a realistic plan to combat the climate crisis. Two degrees is too much; the current heating of 0.8C is already cooking the world, melting practically every glacier on the planet, causing deserts to spread and wildfires to be much more damaging, and ocean acidification is destroying the entire marine food web. Tens of millions will be driven from their land, their homes, and their livelihoods to become displaced climate refugees within the next forty years.

This is unacceptable. It is greed hiding behind diplomacy. It is mass murder.

If what is considered “politically feasible” is inadequate to meet the threat, then politics and politicians must change or be changed. The crooked and foolish lobbyists who sabotaged a realistic agreement must be held accountable: They must be tried for crimes against humanity immediately.

We are the Climate Justice League, and we are climate realists. We accept that we face a climate emergency and must respond appropriately. The agreement at Copenhagen leads us to climate disaster; billions will ultimately die. No more talk. The time has come to do what must be done, no matter the vested interests who will make a few millions less. We must go green or die. Continue reading →