No. 44: Happy Earth Month! 🌎
Be proud of what you've done for the movement + the IPCC report + more
Happy April, aka Earth Month! I want to first preface by saying Earth Month was not started by corporations like the term “litterbug” was, but it is being abused by them just the same. We need corporations to hold themselves accountable just as much (but them much more so) as ourselves. (And btw, organizations telling you to just unplug appliances or take shorter showers is completely missing the point!!!) Have you seen any questionable Earth Month collections?
To avoid “Earth Month” greenwashing in fashion, check out the status of a brand (socially and environmentally-wise) on goodonyou.eco!
13 Ways To Celebrate Earth Month (2023)
The latest IPCC report
To be honest, I was avoiding discussing this because none of the information is new to me (more depressing than uplifting), but it it still valuable, especially to those unaware or ignorant *cough cough the entire Republican party*.
Essentially, for some background, the IPCC 2023 report, published a few weeks ago,
Draw[s] on the findings of 234 scientists on the physical science of climate change, 270 scientists on impacts, adaptation and vulnerability to climate change, and 278 scientists on climate change mitigation, [it] provides the most comprehensive, best available scientific assessment of climate change.
It also makes for grim reading. Across nearly 8,000 pages, the AR6 details the devastating consequences of rising greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions around the world — the destruction of homes, the loss of livelihoods and the fragmentation of communities, for example — as well as the increasingly dangerous and irreversible risks should we fail to change course.
But the IPCC also offers hope, highlighting pathways to avoid these intensifying risks. It identifies readily available, and in some cases, highly cost-effective actions that can be undertaken now to reduce GHG emissions, scale up carbon removal and build resilience. While the window to address the climate crisis is rapidly closing, the IPCC affirms that we can still secure a safe, livable future.
Divided into three sections, the report introduces the topic, discusses current trends, future changes and risks and long-term responses, and present to near-term responses (to 2040). By this format and its page length it’s quite obvious this was not written for us (Counter Currents). Even the summary, labelled as “for policymakers” is 36 pages, and knowing those in office, it’s safe to say few of them read it.
Some quotes from the report…
“Human activities, principally through emissions of greenhouse gasses, have unequivocally caused global warming, with global surface temperatures reaching 1.1 degree Celsius above 1850-1900 in 2011-2020.”
“Approximately 3.3 to 3.6 billion people live in contexts that are highly vulnerable to climate change.”
“At least 170 countries and many cities includ[e] adaptation in their climate policies and planning processes (high confidence).” However, “Most observed adaptation responses are fragmented, incremental, sector-specific, and unequally distributed across regions … with the largest adaptation gaps among lower income groups (high confidence).”
“The 10% of households with the highest per capita emissions contribute 35-45% of global consumption-based household [greenhouse gas] emissions, while the bottom 50% contribute 13-15% (high confidence.)”
These are just a few of the powerful, accurate statements drawn from this report highlighting the urgency and importance of taking action…as the clock keeps ticking and the companies keep drilling.
Further reading:
How to talk to your family and friends about the new IPCC report (Phys.org)
Check out…
10 Sustainable Baddie Articles to Revisit For Earth Month
Exxon in the classroom: how big oil money influences US universities (The Guardian)
The “Grist Imagine 2200: Write the future” climate fiction short story contest is open!
Use tofu containers for seed sprouting!
What history's hidden grandmother of climate science teaches us today (NPR)
Good climate news
London Marathon goes green with trees instead of race tees (Running Magazine) - I know this isn’t very momentous, but I think this is a great alternative to unnecessary t-shirts no one wants!! I would gladly adopt a tree instead. Not to mention the endless list of tree-related names!
English Lawyers Refuse to Prosecute Climate Protestors in ‘Declaration of Conscience’ (EcoWatch) -
A group of lawyers in England have signed a “Declaration of Conscience” saying they will refuse to participate in the prosecution of peaceful climate protesters like Just Stop Oil, Extinction Rebellion and Insulate Britain.
The group of about 120 lawyers, who go by the name “Lawyers are Responsible,” will also refuse to represent those participating in new fossil fuel projects.
Wrap-up
I will be covering more about Earth Month (like controversial “Earth Month
collections and its history), but am totally open to any and all suggestions!
Also, just a quick reminder that the time and effort you dedicate as an environmentalist does not go unnoticed. I know we aren’t headed in the right direction by anyone’s standards, but we’ve seen progress and we can keep seeing it thanks to readers (activists, organizers, motivators, and overall inspirational people) like you!
For example, at my track meet on Saturday I gave my friends a quick lesson on greenwashing thanks to some moving words on water bottle packaging (‘you can recycle this!’ except you can’t) and successfully encouraged five people to pick up trash with me. It was a small action, but rewarding in a multitude of ways (one of them found $20).
I’m also planning a local clothing swap in my area this summer, and am VERY excited about it. Considering my closeness to a $$$ college (and the dumpsters they fill when they move out). I hope to save some of that from there this year! Don’t worry, I’m an unashamed dumpster diver, but obviously that doesn’t properly address or solve the problem. If you know me and want to contribute clothing or time-wise, let me know!! :)