There seems to be a pivotal change in the conversation underway with respect to climate change and fossil fuels. Loud and negative voices may rise again, possibly, but … this is becoming less likely.
Here are a few recent examples.
One is Mark Carney, current Governor of the Bank of England (former head of the Bank of Canada). He warns insurance executives, and anyone else who will listen, that fossil fuels are looking like a risky investment area and that societal and financial turmoil is becoming more likely. (Globe story here.)
Second is Premier Rachel Notley, whose quasi-commie NDP (;>} ) won power in Alberta, Canada’s notorious fossil fuel empire (previously proud home of the tar sands). Albeit with long timelines, she is uttering previously unspeakable words that must strike terror into the oil and gas industry execs there. (Guardian story here.)
Third is Gary Mason, a very well-connected Canadian newspaper opinion writer. The publication (the Globe and Mail), is usually quite conservative, and is heavily corporate-controlled. He discusses the Carney speech, and recent polls in Fossilville (a.k.a. Alberta). He concludes that a post-carbon future is closer than we think, so ignoring it is edging closer to political suicide. (Globe column here.)
The common thread in these opinions is that no trees are being hugged, no polar bears or spotted owls make their appearance. Instead, the arguements feature cold hard bucks, and where they will and won’t come from in the future. It’s loud voices from the financial and political worlds.
When the medical world ups its game and contributes its voice, the chorus grows louder, and harder to refute. Add this to the religious voices (thanks, Pope Francis), and maybe we can make serious progress.
I first heard of the icecaps melting because of global warming in the mid ’70s. It’s taken this long to get how far?
Pivotal change? If that’s what moves you, a few headlines next week (car sales, etc), could ‘pivot’ you back. Twitchy. Secondly, Carney has little control of where capital flows, Notley’s election was a protest-vote mistake (Quebec recently went thropugh that), and she’ll be gone before you know it, and Mason has the capability – because his job is to provide a constant stream of filler – of writing pure garbage.
But keep crossing your fingees.