SustainabiliGuy

[This is a shorter, edited version of "Monster Hurricanes & Climate Injustice," an episode I originally published on December 20, 2020. Enjoy.] 

2020’s hurricane season toppled record after record. The biggest one? Most named storms in one season. There were thirty this year. 

So how is that connected to climate justice? Well, a story begins to unfold if we only look at hurricanes Eta and Iota. Both hit Central America in November within two weeks of each other. 

And things become pretty clear once we start looking at who’s most responsible for global heating.

This is show #50! And this is farewell. At least for now.

I started this podcast on July 9, 2020 to try to wake people up to the climate emergency. That has been the goal from the start. And I hope that resonated with some of you.

We are experiencing catastrophic climate and ecological breakdown. We must do everything we can as quickly as possible to avoid the worst effects of climate chaos.

This final episode is dedicated to my wife Laura, who is the strongest person I know. It is also dedicated to all those people not yet born. We love you.

Much love to all of you. And thanks for listening.

Yesterday I was subject to a cacophony of fossil fuel noise - lawnmowers, leaf blowers, trimmers, cars, trucks, airplanes...

And yes, I was annoyed. And yes, there are obvious detrimental effects to the climate. But there's actually a lot more to the story.

Aircraft noise, in particular, has loads of negative consequences for society. Things like poor learning outcomes in children, sleep disturbance, and negative health outcomes like higher rates of heart disease and hypertension.

So yes, fossil fuel noise is terrible for so many reasons.

I like to imagine a world where humans burn zero fossil fuels. A quieter, healthier, more peaceful place.

What would we hear instead? Birds, water, wind, laughter, singing...

Let's build that world.

Last week I made a new friend. Her name is Trikeceratops. And she's the best.

She's a two-person tricycle cruiser. Cruising on Trikeceratops is instant happiness and giggles.

Trikeceratops is an example of micromobility - the myriad ways for humans to get around that are above walking and below cars. Examples include bikes, trikes, skateboards, scooters, and roller blades.

And there are a thousand reasons why I support micromobility. Top of my list today? It's simply more fun to move around this way.

Let me know if you'd ever like to cruise on Trikeceratops with me!

I've been a middle school teacher for ten years. Peer pressure in middle school is intense. It is so palpable you can almost taste it. Standing up for what's right takes incredible bravery. Especially when you are by yourself.

I witnessed incredible bravery this weekend from members of Extinction Rebellion UK who participated in the "Rebellion of One." They sat down in the streets with signage explaining why they're terrified of the climate crisis. Then they were arrested.

It takes bravery to admit you are scared.

It takes bravery to put yourself in a position where you can be harassed or beaten.

It takes bravery to stand up to government and business and those who hold power.

It takes bravery to stand up for what's right.

Especially if you are a rebellion of one.

This was a week of intense action to protect our planet. It was rejuvenating, motivating, and inspiring to be a part of something that is bigger than myself.

And yet, at the end of Earth Week, I find myself feeling mixed about our progress. Why? We are nowhere near where we need to be. Humanity, collectively, is not doing enough.

So that's pretty much it. Sitting here on this Sunday morning reflecting on the current situation...

Was there good stuff this week? Absolutely.

Are we still hurtling toward ecological collapse? Yes.

So be bold. Be brave. Keep fighting. This planet - and all of her inhabitants - are worth fighting for.

I joined a protest in New York City this weekend - calling out Blackrock and JPMorgan Chase for financing climate destruction.

There were drums, chanting, and displays of public theater - like an activist dressing up as the CEO of Blackrock and "answering questions" in our presence while we heckled him. It was very silly.

Protest is necessary for change. All social movements have people - regular people - rising up to demand a better world.

And protest, for me, is incredibly fulfilling, regenerative, and profoundly joyful.

The Biden Administration just released the American Jobs Plan, a $2 trillion infrastructure spending proposal. The plan includes spending $80 billion on trains.

In response, Amtrak released a wonderful blue-and-yellow map showing what they would do with the $80 billion. It includes extending service to major cities like Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Nashville.

Is the American Jobs Plan perfect? No. It's too small, and it includes spending on carbon-intensive industry like aviation. Is it a good start? I think so.

And the most exciting part? More trains. A low-carbon, slow-travel, efficient mode of transportation.

Yes! Trains!

Should humans consider things like solar geoengineering to address climate change?

I was adamantly against it until I read Elizabeth Kolbert's Under a White Sky: The Nature of Our Future.

Now - well - I'm open to it.

There are a lot of questions regarding making huge decisions like this. Questions about cost, timeline, and scalability.

But the biggest question of all still remains: Is it ethical to geoengineer our planet to address climate change?

What's the best way to effectively communicate the climate emergency? What's the right tone?

Which emotions do you convey when you're sharing bad news? News like collapsing fisheries, record-breaking carbon in the atmosphere, banks that are financing climate destruction...

What's the best way to change hearts and minds?

There is no single good answer.

But these are all good questions to ponder.