It’s about time we call this problem what it is .....

From an Article by Andrew Freedman, Washington Post, November 5, 2019

A new report by 11,258 scientists in 153 countries from a broad range of disciplines warns that the planet “clearly and unequivocally faces a climate emergency,” and provides six broad policy goals that must be met to address it.

The analysis is a stark departure from recent scientific assessments of global warming, such as those of the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, in that it does not couch its conclusions in the language of uncertainties, and it does prescribe policies.

The study, called the “World scientists’ warning of a climate emergency,” marks the first time a large group of scientists has formally come out in favor of labeling climate change an “emergency,” which the study notes is caused by many human trends that are together increasing greenhouse gas emissions.

The report, published Tuesday in the journal Bioscience, was spearheaded by the ecologists Bill Ripple and Christopher Wolf of Oregon State University, along with William Moomaw, a Tufts University climate scientist, and researchers in Australia and South Africa.

“Despite 40 years of global climate negotiations, with few exceptions, we have generally conducted business as usual and have largely failed to address this predicament,” the study states.

The paper bases its conclusions on a set of easy-to-understand indicators that show the human influence on climate, such as 40 years of greenhouse gas emissions, economic trends, population growth rates, per capita meat production, and global tree cover loss, as well as consequences, such as global temperature trends and ocean heat content.

The results are charts that are, at least compared with the climate graphics presented by the IPCC, surprisingly simple, and that help reveal the troubling direction the world is headed.

The study also departs from other major climate assessments in that it directly addresses the politically sensitive subject of population growth. The study notes that the global decline in fertility rates has “substantially slowed” during the past 20 years, and calls for “bold and drastic” changes in economic growth and population policies to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Such measures would include policies that strengthen human rights, especially for women and girls, and make family-planning services “available to all people,” the paper says.

On energy, the report calls for the world to “implement massive energy efficiency and conservation practices” and cut out fossil fuels in favor of renewable sources of energy, a trend it notes is not happening fast enough. It also calls for remaining fossil fuels, such as coal and oil, to remain in the ground, never to be burned to generate energy, a key goal for many climate activists.

Maria Abate, a signatory of the scientists’ warning and a biology professor at Simmons College in Boston, says she hopes the paper will raise awareness. “Like other organisms we are not adapted to recognize far-reaching environmental threats beyond our immediate surroundings,” she said via email. “The reported vital signs of our global activity and climate responses give us a tangible, evidence-based report card that I hope will help our culture to develop a broader awareness more quickly to slow this climate crisis.”

Other items on the study’s list of policy priorities include quickly cutting emissions of short-lived climate pollutants, such as soot and methane, which could slow short-term warming. The study also calls for a shift to eating mostly plant-based foods and instituting agricultural practices that increase the amount of carbon the soil absorbs.

On the economy, the study states that improving long-term sustainability and reducing inequality should be prioritized over growing wealth, as measured using gross domestic product. The authors also advocate for policies that would curtail biodiversity loss and the destruction of forests, and they recommend prioritizing the preservation of intact forests that store carbon along with other lands that can rapidly bury carbon, thereby reducing global warming.

Ripple, of Oregon State, is no stranger to organizing scientific calls to action, having founded the Alliance of World Scientists and organized scientists’ “Warning to Humanity: A Second Notice” in 2017, which was also published in Bioscience and focused on the urgent need to solve a broad array of environmental problems including climate change and biodiversity loss.

Thousands of scientists issue bleak ‘second notice’ to humanity

“We’re asking for a transformative change for humanity,” Ripple said in an interview. Many of the signatories to the warning do not list themselves as climate scientists but, instead, as biologists, ecologists and other science specialists. Ripple says that is intentional, as the authors sought to assemble the broadest support possible.

“The situation we’re in today with climate change,” he says, “shows that this is an issue that needs to move beyond climate scientists only.”

Moomaw says the paper comes from researchers who are seeing the consequences of a rapidly changing planet, and is in part “a statement of frustration on the part of many in the scientific community.”

“Scientists, and in particular those that are studying what is happening in a changed climate, have become the most alarmed at how rapidly these changes are taking place and the urgency of needing to take far more drastic action,” Moomaw said.

The term “climate emergency” has been championed by climate activists and pro-climate action politicians seeking to add a sense of urgency to the way we respond to what is a long-term problem. The Climate Mobilization, an advocacy group, is seeking to have governments in the United States and elsewhere declare a climate emergency and enact response measures commensurate with such a declaration.

New York’s City Council has declared a climate emergency, as has San Francisco. European cities have also taken this step. Bills labeling global warming as an emergency are pending in both the House and the Senate, endorsed by prominent liberals including Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.).

The youth climate movement, including Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, has been leading the charge to ratchet up the language used in describing global warming. To date, scientists have been reluctant to use such language. However, this study may change that.

Phil Duffy, a climate researcher and president of the Woods Hole Research Center, who added his name to the paper Monday, said he finds the term fitting, considering the scale of the problem and lack of action so far.

“The term ‘climate emergency’ … I must say, I find it refreshing, really, because you know, I get so impatient with the scientists who are always just waffling and mumbling about uncertainty, blah, blah, blah, and this certainly is, you know, much bolder than that,” he said. “I think it’s right to do that.”

Tipping level in waste to energy facility

From an Article by Staff, Lancaster Online, April 21, 2018

Public tours of Lancaster County’s waste-to-energy trash-burning facility in Conoy Township will be held on Saturday, May 12. The Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority will host the free tours.

Visitors will discover how their waste creates enough renewable energy in the form of electricity to power the equivalent of 30,000 Lancaster County homes, along with providing steam to the adjacent Perdue AgriBusiness soybean processing plant.

Free one-hour tours will depart from Conoy Township Park-West at 2115 River Road, Bainbridge, at 9 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 10 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Seating is limited and preregistration is required for this rain or shine event. Guests must be 8 years or older, capable of walking short distances and able to climb two flights of stairs. All guests must wear closed-toe shoes and safety gear that will be provided.

To register for a tour, click here or call 717-397-9968.

Lancaster County Waste to Energy Plant, etc.

INTERFAITH POWER & LIGHT

Forest Path --> www.CO2covenant.org

>> The mission of Interfaith Power & Light is to be faithful stewards of Creation by responding to global warming through the promotion of energy conservation, energy efficiency, and renewable energy.

Dear Friends,

These are historic days, as we witness the peaceful transfer of power to a new president. I revere our democratic principles but I am concerned about our new president’s agenda. He has indicated he will roll back critical environmental and climate protections, weaken the EPA, and take the U.S. out of the historic Paris climate accord. We must not let that happen.

Now is the time to renew our commitment and redouble our efforts to protect Creation and be the stewards of this planet. We will stand up to those who would harm Creation and we will defend vulnerable people and communities who are suffering the impacts of extreme weather, pollution, and sea rise. Join me in renewing your commitment today.

Our cause could not be more urgent. Scientists announced this week that 2016 was the warmest year on record. The amount of heat we are putting into the Earth’s atmosphere each year is equivalent to 400,000 Hiroshima bombs exploding across the planet every day.

Yet I have hope because people are waking up to the existential threat to Creation posed by global warming, and they are getting involved. Houses of worship are going green. And every day I hear about the amazing work you and your faith communities are doing.

Many IPL congregations are hosting vigils for the Earth this weekend. Join a vigil. Pray, be in community, and act.

More than ever, your voice matters. We need your help to build a bigger, more committed, more powerful, values-based movement to protect Creation. Please join with IPL and pledge to redouble your commitment to the Earth and each other. Become even more involved with the IPL affiliate in your state.  Invite more people, and other faith communities, to address the climate issues affecting your city and state. Let your elected officials hear from you — often. Take the lead on local initiatives.

Take the pledge today. Together, we will prevail.

Keeping the faith, The Rev. Canon Sally G. Bingham
President, Interfaith Power & Light

Address: Interfaith Power & Light
369 Pine St., Suite 700
San Francisco, CA 94104

See also: http://www.interfaithpowerandlight.org/