Science and politics. On the one hand you have observable and verifiable fact (no, I’m not talking about how Congress seemingly never does anything) and the other is a battlefield where everyone talks but no one listens. Quite the inauspicious pairing if you are someone who would like to see the two reconcile. A worthwhile attempt was made last weekend. Hundreds of thousands of people decided to speak up in favor of the science on climate change and demand that politicians act on it.
World citizens carried out approximately 4,000 simultaneous acts in more than 170 countries worldwide to rally around the number 350 last Saturday, Oct. 24.
That is 350 parts per million of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Demonstrators agreed on at least one thing: it’s not just any number, but the number that is needed in order to stabilize natural earth systems such as sea levels and weather patterns that are being altered by climate change.
In addition, the figure has been endorsed so far by 89 nations, the chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Rajendra Pachuari, as well as Sir Nicholas Stern, the world’s foremost climate economist, and even Al Gore has added the
number to his list of inconvenient truths.
What is being touted as the ‘biggest day of global action ever,’ came at a crucial time, amidst a week where even the liberal news media was feeding the notion that there is little hope that the world climate treaty to be forged in Copenhagen this December will be successful. In fact, people are beginning to wonder if some world leaders are muttering ‘Copenhagen, schmopenhagen’ under their breath.
But the brave 350’ers were not fazed by such nay saying. They instead focused on bringing attention and hope. Maasai children in Kenya formed the number 350 with their bodies while singing and clapping, while primary school students in Melbourne, Australia created a large 350 graphic out of personalized popsicle sticks that offered tidbits such as “less carbon emissions, more future for us,” and “everyone do their bit.” Thousands marched in Washington, New York’s Times Square, Chicago and thousands of other cities with their simple message: 350. Yet many wonder if the point is moot. Is 350 a ridiculous goal?
An article in The New York Times by Andrew Revkin seemed to suggest that it is, quoting Massachusetts Institute of Technology economist John M. Reilly saying that the goal of bringing carbon levels down to 350 ppm by reducing emissions is “so impossible to achieve that to make it the goal risks the reaction that if we are already over the cliff, then let’s just enjoy the ride until it’s over.”
Carbon levels are currently at around 390 ppm. Similarly, Michael Oppenheimer, a former Environmental Defense Fund scientist, said it would be “a herculean accomplishment” to hold concentrations to even 450 ppm in the next decades. Hercules, you say? Well now there’s an idea I like the sound of; because honestly, if you never dreamt of being a hero at one point or another, I have no interest with the likes of you.
Hercules was a champion and a great warrior. (If you’re the person thinking “myth! He is a myth!” then I would ask you to refer to the more metaphorical aspects of ancient Greek history for the purposes of this comparison.) But he was smart too, and not above using unfair tricks to his advantage. (Technology, anyone?) Most importantly, though, Hercules made the choice to become a legend.
When ancient Greek writer Xenophon (430-354 B.C.) wrote about the ‘Choice of Hercules’ he told of two maidens that approached him; one was Vice, disguised as Happiness, and the other was Virtue. Vice offered him peace, comfort, and a long, happy life, while Virtue offered a hard life of work and toil but that would be rewarded with everlasting honor. “(A)nd Hercules, withdrawing his gaze from the face of Vice, arose from his place, and followed Virtue along the rugged, brown path of Labor.”
And so I ask again, is 350 such a ridiculous goal? And even if it is, should that stop us from trying? Hundreds of thousands stood up last weekend and shouted their answer. Let’s just hope the echo is still being heard in Copenhagen this December.
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350: A choice of Herculean scope
Daily Emerald
October 25, 2009
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