By Marco Lopez
A burning fire is a pillar of our modern civilization. It has always been since we(mankind), first grasped the power of honing the flame—our growth has been exponential. The only reason I could write these thoughts, and you can read them, through these light-projecting devices, is because of constant burning fires.
Fossil fuels are the foundation of the world we’ve created. I think confronting this reality is the first step in starting any conversation about an energy transition.
But we are faced with the dilemma of having to upend the fossil fuel-fueled foundation of modern civilization to ensure—in the short term—our children’s survival—and in the long term—our species’ survival.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a naturally occurring gas. It’s plant food. It’s a part of our whole cycle of life. Other greenhouse gases are methane and nitrous oxide; those emissions are measured in CO2 equivalent. Since some gases increase global warming much more than CO2, they are multiplied by the gas’s Global Warming Potential.
The burning of the oil, gas, and coal we all need to power our iPhones and Androids and, well, our way of life, produces way too much greenhouse gas that affects Earth’s radiative balance.
The heat from the sun is trapped by the excess greenhouse gases and increases the global temperature. Sure, you’ve heard of it—global warming.
Carbon emissions are at the core of the warming and, as a result, the climate crisis. But it is important to emphasize that it’s not your fault (or mine). The world in which we live gives us no choice; we are walking carbon emitters despite whatever we try, so it makes no sense to guilt-trip and strive to become some zero-footprint junkie.
Not saying we shouldn’t start making conscious choices to change our behaviors, I’m saying in some ways our lifestyles are imposed on us. And to change for many is simply not affordable.
Hell, the jig is up; the large companies and countries that are responsible for global emissions are at fault. By all accounts, they will simply continue to engage in lobbying to continue their emissions of fossil fuels. Check who’s hosting what may very well be the most lavish COP this year.
So, targeting the problem at its core—big corporations, fossil fuel-producing countries and companies, the lack of affordable rollout of renewables, and simply a disregard for the elephants in the room is what needs to be done.
The same interest responsible for widespread fossil fuel production and greenhouse gas emissions are at the helm of the so-called climate change conversations today; where do we expect to be our tomorrow?
This ain’t a rally to exclude or condemn any party; it’s a nudge to show your cards and not hide them under the table. If we really want to change, the data on what is to be done has already been produced and agreed on by scientists globally and will hopefully be emphasized at COP 28.
Your guess about what the decision-makers and fossil fuel interests will do with this information is as good as mine.
