Good Climate News

A recent article online, “Stephen Hawking: Earth is in peril, it’s time to get out of Dodge,” states that Hawking has warned “ … humankind faces extinction from a slew of threats ranging from climate change” and more, recently estimating that if lucky, humans have 100 years left on Earth. But here is the good news.

Responding to our president’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, at least 331 mayors and 13 governors across the U.S., and leaders in the EU, Italy, France, Germany, India, and China have pledged to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. Former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg (now UN Secretary-General’s special envoy for Cities and Climate Change) will coordinate “America’s Pledge” from U.S. leaders, businesses, and universities.

The World Economic Forum recently reported renewable energy is now cheaper or at the same price as fossil fuel in over 30 countries. This economic shift is a “tipping point” that could make fighting climate change into a profitable form of business for energy companies.

The City of Santa Barbara is being asked to divest from banks that finance fossil fuel, and as individuals we can too. (Go to DeFundDAPL.org.)

There are key areas we can all address in our day-to-day lives to reduce our carbon footprint. According to Worldwatch Institute, 51 percent or more of global greenhouse-gas emissions are caused by animal agriculture. Therefore, one of the most effective steps we can take to help combat climate change is to stop eating meat, eggs, and dairy products.