COP26 requires the USA, the biggest emitter of GHG per person in the world, to arrive with real commitments from our nation to do our fair share of actions that will keep humankind’s contributions to heating the Earth below 1.5 degrees centigrade global average. Even then, heating will not be evenly distributed as we see now, with many areas already experiencing extreme heat and humidity. Read IPCC Physical Science Report.
Still we have congressional leaders who act as if this is negotiable. The science tells another story. But, who is listening, truly? Countries who have contributed little to the GHG problem but due to geographical location and political/economic conditions within their nations are feeling it more — they are not only listening but speaking, especially to Americans.
Youth are paying attention and watching their future slip away in the haggling morass of the U.S. Congress, and the vitriol and divisiveness of so much of our national press. Turn it off. Listen to good music, take care of yourself and family and community. Plan for solutions to be very local. Turn to each other, wherever you live, and secure each other’s welfare.
Do all you can as citizens to move our leaders to action and to protect this Republic from the assault on its democratic institutions. Beyond that, you can analyze how you can become more resilient to coming climate challenges. Secure what you can for yourself and your family. And just keep on working with your legislators and social movers on the hope that good will win over evil. And then turn to your loved ones and friends and all whom you can possibly encourage or assist, and celebrate love, friendship, and the blessings of our Creator, however you understand Her.
Enjoy walking, feed the birds, care for trees and plant more in your location, and support all the efforts toward a just and safe world. Reciprocity is the basic and golden principle of life on Earth. Give and receive, back and forth, with joy and firm belief this is the only sure path at anytime, but especially at this moment in time and place. God bless you all!
Susan Feathers 