Sami Grover
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With the Copenhagen climate talks ending in a lacklustre agreement, with an apparent increase in organized climate change denialist activity, and with evidence of catastrophic climate change still piling up, we greens could be forgiven for ending the year on a sour note. But pessimism never gets you anywhere. And contrary to appearances, the future has never looked so good for the sustainability movement.
WATCH VIDEO: Planet 100: The Pope Delivers His Green Message
So here are a few reasons to be cheerful.
5 Reasons Why Greens Should Cheer Up
1. Climate Skeptics Are Increasingly Politically Marginalized
It's true that with the CRU 'climate gate' email hacks, the skeptic camp seemed to get increasingly vocal toward the end of 2009. But politically speaking, climate denial seems to remain on the margins of party politics in much of the world. The European Union's delegation to Copenhagen, for example, featured one lone climate skeptic, Nick Griffin—a man with links to neo-nazi groups who heads Britain's far-right British National Party, and who once described the holocaust as "a total lie." Meanwhile, the UK Conservative party pledged massive CO2 cuts and conservative values are advancing green projects in Texas.
Of course it's not all good news. Unfortunately, some GOP members continue to spread misinformation about the climate bill. But the political landscape is changing. And the movement is in our direction.
2. Business is Getting On Board
It's true that some corporations are still fueling climate denial, but there is a marked shift in the business community. Businesses from Apple to Nike to PG&E have been leaving the US Chamber of Commerce over its opposition to the Climate Bill, and the International Chamber of Commerce distanced itself from the US Chamber's efforts to derail climate legislation. Green businesses are also enjoying increasing success—as witnessed by New Belgium Brewing Company's massive expansion into mainstream markets.
3. Religious Leaders are Speaking Up
Most recently, Pope Benedict called for the world to consume more responsibly, but this is just the latest in a long line of religious leaders speaking out for environmental responsibility. Many Evangelical Christians recently threw themselves behind climate legislation, and many Muslims have been promoting the idea of a Green Ramadan. Given the powerful roll that faith still plays in many people's lives, these prominent and visionary moves by religious leaders are an important step in pushing environmental stewardship firmly into the cultural mainstream.
4. The Public Supports Climate Action
That's right. Contrary to what some angry bloggers and skeptic trolls will tell you, many polls show the public firmly in support of climate legislation. This seems to be backed up by anecdotal evidence, including my own steps outside my political comfort zone, whereby energy efficiency, renewables, and independence from fossil fuels are becoming increasingly normal, and favorable, topics of conversation for people of all political and cultural persuasions. (With 97% of climate scientists backing the concept of man-made global warming, this cultural shift is not without good reason.)
Of course a general shift toward acceptance of green ideas is not the same as a full blown movement for action—and given the urgency of climate change we do need a broad and powerful movement like never before—but ideas that were once considered wacky and leftist are now firmly part of the mainstream. After all, what part of trashing our environment or relying on expensive, polluting, finite and often foreign fuels makes sense, whatever your political ideology? Now if we can just keep a clear head and discuss climate change like adults, we should be able to build on this political mandate and create the kind of ambitious, forward-thinking change we need.
5. The Solutions Are Within Our Reach
Sure, the sheer scale of the climate crisis can be a terrifying thing. And while politicians may be increasingly open to the concept of global warming, few are willing to talk about the kind of actions necessary. And yet everything we need to deliver massive cuts to our carbon emissions fast is perfectly feasible. Even an investment the fraction of the size of the financial bail out would deliver huge progress fast. From massive solar power plants to aggressive reforestation, from responsible biochar production to weekday vegetarianism; from smart networking of renewable technologies to affordable electric cars; from small modern apartments to communities planning for fossil fuel independence, there are countless people around the world working toward a fix for the problems we face.
So rather than gettig down in the dumps about the relative failures at Copenhagen, or the dirty tricks of the climate skeptic lobby, let's take 2010 as the year to step up and build on the momentum we've created. The world is already transitioning toward a world without fossil fuels. We just have to make sure that transition happens fast enough.
More on the changing climate of climate change
Calm Down Over 'Climate Gate': 6 Points for a Level Headed Discussion
Climate Message from the Green Pope
Climate Denial on the Rocks? A Toast for 2010
Holocaust Denier Represents EU at Climate Talks
