by Russell Gill
I don’t believe in climate change. Believing in something means to accept the truth of something, usually without any proof. It’s not a question of belief – I’ve read about, or seen, or been told the evidence dozens of times. And it’s not just that I believe the person who’s been telling me this. As a geography undergraduate I studied the science behind our understanding of how the composition of the atmosphere has changed over time, and how these changes are linked to dramatic changes in the Earth’s climate that have occurred in the past. I understand that the current concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is unprecedented in human history (it passed 400ppm in March with hardly a ripple in the media) and that all over the globe the effects of ‘global warming’ are being felt. That 15 of the warmest years on record have occurred this century; that sea levels are rising at a rate of 3 mm/yr meaning, for example, that the Thames barrier is being raised more often; that spring arrives in the UK 11 days earlier now than it did in the 1970s.
So I don’t believe in climate change —I understand that burning fossil fuels is causing climate change (primarily —farting cows play their part too).
So what do I believe in? I happen to believe that tackling this problem presents an opportunity to build a better, healthier, more equal, more connected, more peaceful, happier society. Moving away from using fossil fuels means less air pollution, it means supporting local food production, it means a people focussed economy creating meaningful work, it means a booming green economy, it means increased self-sufficiency as we harness the natural resources for the benefit of communities. It means a society that promotes and celebrates co-operation, exists in harmony with nature, a culture of being (rather than having). I hope that the loss of cheap and abundant global travel, restricted access to some foods, a reduction in access to consumables, will be offset by these benefits.
I accept that this all sounds fanciful and not backed up with facts —but I don’t pretend it is. It’s a belief. I’m happy to argue and to discuss it. If there is to be a debate around climate change then this is where it’s at.
I’ve known about and understood climate change since high school, but I only got activated about it when I connected it with what really gets me going —community development. Somewhere along the line I made a link between what a low-carbon society would be like and participatory democracy, strong local economies and community ownership of assets. The People’s Climate Assembly invites anyone to come and explore the links between your thing and climate change —whether it’s nature conservation, fighting austerity, global development, food security or peace and justice. This issue is so big and mutli-stranded I believe that everyone can find a link between it and their thing. So come along, join in the discussion and help to build a climate movement that you can believe in.
People's Climate March 