Climate discourse and climate action
With the United Nations Council of Parties (COP26) in full swing last week, the world is flooded with news from the largest trade show in the climate industry. These meetings have the value of focusing on this critical issue and can inspire companies and governments to take climate action to demonstrate support for the global climate agenda. Like Earth Day every April, it provides a useful deadline for the organization’s internal environmental sustainability advocates.A good example of the impact of the climate conference took place on October 28day When the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced new ambitious greenhouse gas reduction targets.
According to a Port Authority Press release:
“Before the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, Scotland, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced today that it will submit two key policies to the agency’s board of directors for formal adoption in November. The first policy will make the agency committed to achieving it by 2050 The goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions. The second policy will make the agency committed to the goal of halving direct greenhouse gas emissions by 2030… Once passed, the Port Authority will be the first to set a net zero for all emissions Targeted by the United States Transportation Agency. The agency has also formulated detailed and ambitious measures to accelerate the reduction process. This new package of proposed actions… Sustainability measures for the facility to reduce the agency’s direct emissions.”
One might argue that these are just more climate terms in the form of policies and goals, but the most important thing is the details provided and the specific measures the Authority will take to achieve these goals. It is the operational definition of the difference between climate words and climate behavior.Details include typical actions, such as replacing old fossil fuel-powered cars with new electric cars, but then become ambitious and technologically compulsory Require:
“…The Port Authority Airport Clean zero-emission electric airport ground support equipment To the largest extent possible, because such equipment can be obtained from the manufacturer. Starting with the phasing out of fossil fuel baggage tugs, belt loaders and aircraft positioning tractors by 2027, the plan will replace the “dirty” model that generates greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants…”
The announcement also includes initiatives related to renewable energy, sustainable buildings and energy efficiency. Unlike the broad global and national goals and policies, the Port Authority’s statement is very detailed and detailed. That’s because they operate a set of facilities, and they can choose to continue to operate as they do today, or they can start to transition to a more environmentally friendly operation. They are committed to a long and difficult process of change. They understand that this is hard work and a long road. according to Christine Vidig, Director of Sustainable Development, Port Authority:
“In order to achieve this net zero goal by 2050, we will work with stakeholders across all our business lines to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy and bring these economic opportunities and environmental benefits to our local communities.”
When people are desperate about our climate future and the environmental sustainability of the modern economy, I want to point out that we are in the early stages of a major shift in the way the economy operates. Evidence of change is everywhere. Hertz is buying 100,000 Teslas. More and more companies are setting pollution reduction targets. The New York City government is working to reduce the carbon footprint of its 4,000 buildings. More importantly, when these decisions are slowly reflected in the facility and mechanical design parameters. Engineers are required to reduce the use of energy and toxic substances. Farmers are working hard to reduce polluted runoff from their fields. Not everywhere, not all at once, but the paradigm shift has already begun. The new understanding of how the world works focuses attention on reducing environmental impact. It is replacing the old philosophy. It says: “To make an omelet, you have to break some eggs.” Or “The solution to pollution is to dilute.”
In New York City, nothing is more focused than an hour and five inches of rain. In the western United States, the ever-expanding season of forest fires produces almost unbreathable air. In Texas, the frozen power system left the state without electricity for weeks. These disasters spread immediately across the globe and now affect our perception of the planet and its fragility.
Although progress is being made slowly and steadily in many places, climate activists believe that responding to the crisis we face is too slow and insufficient. Climate change is a serious threat, but it is not the only threat we face. Poverty, war, racism, xenophobia, crime and corruption are also major threats. If we stop using fossil fuels immediately, the world will plunge into a global economic depression, leading to hunger, political instability and terrorism. Although I admire the voice and face of the youth climate movement, Greta Thunberg, she said that COP26 was a failure and technology is not enough to solve the climate crisis. This is completely wrong. Her view is that the only solution is to completely change our way of life. World leaders are bad guys who only care about themselves. Indeed, world leaders are selfish. I’m sure that if you don’t have a high degree of self-esteem, you cannot manage a country. But selfishness is a fact in life. To save the planet, we need to resort to self-interest, not guilt or altruism. We are all dependent on this planet, and we have no choice but to convince people that the only way for them to maintain their lifestyle is to invest in the transition to a green economy. To insist that a green economy can only be achieved through struggle and denial is a failed political argument that will eventually be self-defeating. Most people like their way of life and are not interested in messages of denial and guilt. In order to solve this environmental problem, we need to better understand how we solve other environmental problems.
It is not feasible to carry out a large-scale environmental cleanup immediately. But this is not necessary. What we are facing is not a direct global disaster, but a gradual degradation of our infrastructure, security and lifestyle. There are no cliffs or roads of no return, only long and gradual landslides that we need to learn to navigate and trend lines that need to be reversed. The creation of EPA in 1970 led to the development of national environmental regulation and new technologies, allowing us to purify the environment while developing the economy. This is how we will reduce (rather than eliminate) greenhouse gases. Public policy cannot solve the problem, but it can make the problem less serious. It is remedial, continuous and incremental. Making people feel guilty for flying to a climate meeting is a great way to alienate powerful friends and is another example of climate rhetoric taking priority over climate action. Would it be better if these people go shopping, go to the casino or hang out by the swimming pool?We don’t want them care About the climate crisis? I don’t think we make friends by humiliating potential allies. We need everyone in the tent to help make the world a better place.
The work done by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to decarbonize is the real work of climate action. This is to roll up your sleeves and do some work, which will help reduce greenhouse gases in the real world. Decarbonizing air travel will be a daunting task, but this can only be achieved when passengers and airlines understand its importance and have time to deploy the resources needed to meet the challenges. Attacking and alienating airlines and passengers will not get the job done. The leadership of the Port Authority ensures that the public infrastructure used by airlines will not hinder the airline’s sustainable development work. In addition, it also conveys the message that environmental sustainability is supported by elected leaders and there are business opportunities in the emerging green economy.
