Saving the Planet?

 I don't regularly read any newspapers, but I occasionally see interesting articles as I'm crumpling up paper when I'm building the fire in the morning.  One article from the Vancouver Sun (June 16, 2012) caught my eye.  "Ten Bold Ways to Save the Planet".  So, in case anyone needs some ideas about how to save our planet, here is a brief summary of the article's contents:

The article starts by reminding readers that our current course is unsustainable and that promises to change our ways made two decades ago remain unfulfilled.  Bold actions from our politicians probably won't happen, so...

1.  Start a Revolution - we've mined our way to growth and burned our way to prosperity.  What we now need is revolutionary thinking and action for global sustainability.

2.  Energy Game Change - Carbon-based fuels are the problem and there are few clear alternatives.  We aren't making signs of any kind of progress and are now pumping 45% more CO2 into the air than we were 20 years ago.

3.  Put A Price on Carbon - The basic idea is to tax what you want to discourage.  Consumers and businesses will find more efficient or alternative ways to do business that produce less carbon dioxide.

4.  Overhaul Corporate Motives and mindsets - Our insecurities are being converted by advertising into endless needs, wants and excessive demands.  Various subsidies are supporting unsustainable practices, including an estimated $2 billion in Canada for the oil & gas industry and, $300 billion worldwide for unsustainable agriculture and fisheries practices.

5.  Green Canada's Blackened Record - The current Conservative government is weakening environmental laws and backing away from global initiatives to protect the environment.  We could start by being more efficient in our resource use.

6.  Transform Cities - Vancouver has "controversial" bike lanes; London has congestion taxes in the downtown core.  Canadians and Americans have among the highest per-capita consumption of energy.  We don't need to go back to living in caves just to be more efficient in our use of it.  Several other countries show that it is possible.

7.  Connect the Dots Before You Buy - There's been lots of talk about being more ecologically sensitive when we buy things - leaning about Live Cycle costs, for example.  Eco-labeling might help consumers make better choices.

8.  Eat Less Meat - Beef comes in for criticism as being pretty much the worst in terms of it's carbon foodprint.  We don't need to become vegetarians, but eating less beef and other meats would help.

9.  Embrace Education (and Contraception) - We have 7 billion on the planet now and each night 1 billion go to bed hungry.  We need to reduce fertility rates worldwide, something that has already happened in developed countries.  One excellent practice that will help reduce the size of families is education, particularly for young women.

10.  Get Politically Active - Politicians aren't going to do anything until they are forced to.  You can lead by example: reuse containers and grocery bags, buy local, ride a bike, drive a more fuel-efficient vehicle..., but the author claims that getting involved politically is the only way to force the environmental agenda forward.

There are things individuals can do.  This article points out some of the most important.