World People’s Conference on Climate Change and the Rights of Mother Earth
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The Bottom Line
- Carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations in the atmosphere now stand at 385 parts per million (ppm), 67% above the average of the past 800,000 years, and 29% above the maximum of the same period.
- The rate of increase of CO2 is 2.2 ppm/year and getting faster.
- When atmospheric CO2 was above 450 ppm in the earth's history, the planet was completely ice-free, and sea level was 75 meters higher than today.
- The safe upper limit of atmospheric CO2 that we should aim to stay below is probably between 300-350 ppm. We have already overshot it and the longer we stay above that the more likely we will have set in motion long-term climate changes that will proceed beyond human control through powerful geophysical positive feedback mechanisms.
- Sudden warmings of a few degrees in the past have triggered mass extinctions. Current species extinction rate is estimated at 100 to 1000 times the average extinction rates in the evolutionary time scale of planet Earth. A mass extinction is underway and we have to reverse course quickly enough to prevent the worst.
Isn't it better to make this first step now, and then try to strengthen it with further legislation?
No, because passing ACESA/Waxman-Markey will keep any real climate legislation off the table for years to come - long enough to miss the critical window to prevent climate catastrophe.
This bill commits the U.S. to the least emission reduction among developed countries, even though the U.S. is responsible for the largest amount of greenhouse gases currently in the air. It not only prevents the U.S. from beginning to tackle climate change, it also thwarts any meaningful global treaty from being reached in Copenhagen this December, allowing rapid emission growth from developing countries to continue unchecked.
The bill allows corporate greenwashers and their partner organizations and many politicians to claim that they've taken strong action on climate change. Problem solved.
On the other hand, if this bill is withdrawn or voted down, the U.S. (and the Obama administration, who campaigned on climate) can not hold out too long, under international pressure and growing public awareness, without having any climate legislation. Allowing this bill to pass is likely more risky to our future prospects than forcing Congress back to the drawing board.
Some worry that if this bill doesn't pass, it will negatively influence public opinion about the climate issue, and prevent another bill from being considered. Not true. Public reaction to the NO vote depends entirely on how the vote is explained to them in the media. If politicians who voted against it because it is too weak, and environmental groups who urged for a NO vote for that reason, widely publicize why they had to do so, there will only be a stronger public outcry for much stronger legislation.
The Global Humanitarian Forum estimates that there are already 350,000 annual deaths from floods, droughts, food and water shortages and other climate impacts. We simply can't accept a bill that will exacerbate planetary warming. We must demand new legislation that provides real solutions.
To see our more detailed analysis of ACESA/Waxman-Markey, read here.
Please click here to see a sample letter to send to Congress, to demand a real climate protection bill.
SGF Mission Statement
The Secure Green Future (SGF) project educates, activates and empowers Massachusetts residents to effectively address the converging threats of climate change, resource depletion, and economic meltdown. We work to guide communities toward an essential economic transformation that will make possible a sustainable and just post-carbon future. SGF seeks to break the shackles of what is “politically feasible” and inspire change that addresses the magnitude and urgency of the dangers we are facing. We are committed to the principle of democratic empowerment as the most appropriate means for securing the just and sustainable future that we all deserve, and that is within our reach.
Landslide victories for the Secure Green Future ballot initiative!
Thanks to an incredible grassroots effort, the Secure Green Future ballot question has won in EVERY SINGLE DISTRICT it appeared, and by a total landslide margin! At least 153,252 voters said YES to a Secure Green Future on November 4th, netting the ballot question an astounding 81.44% of the vote!!!
Thanks to all of you who helped get these questions on the ballot and helped to spread the word to voters. Your efforts have paid off big time, and we now have clear evidence that the people of Massachusetts are READY for decisive action to fight climate change and energy uncertainty by transitioning to a secure, green economy NOW.
