Climate change: we need to clean up after ourselves

(Photo: Evan Leeson)

We often tell our children to clean up after themselves, but when it comes to the climate, it seems we are happy for them to clean up the mess we have created. The evidence is clear: we need action and we need it now. We know that the longer we delay, the harder it will be to prevent drastic climate change; and yet we keep avoiding meaningful action out of fear that it will have a negative impact on the economy or our standard of living.

I am so angry, particularly as a parent, when I see political, business and community leaders making decisions which prioritise short-term economic gain over long-term environmental sustainability. Until the recent agreement between the USA and China on reducing CO2 emissions, Australia had resisted calls for climate change to even be on the agenda of the coming G20 meeting. Today, the Australian Treasurer said the while climate change will now be discussed at the G20, “There will be no single issue that will distract leaders or anyone else from the task of delivering on growth and jobs.” Australia’s political leaders just don’t seem to understand the impact climate change will have on everything in our future, including the economy.

It may feel like we can’t make a difference, but it will be even harder if we leave it to our children to tidy up after us.

If you liked this post you might want to follow my blog (top right-hand corner of the blog), and you might like to look at:

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5. 10 things you need to know about the lastest IPCC report on climate change