COMMENTARY: Climate Column: An introduction
By Climate Advocates of Bennington Mar 18, 2024
The climate is on everyone’s mind. The changes that we are experiencing are both perplexing and scary. Where has the snow gone? Why did we have two 500 year floods in 10 years? Why have we moved from a planting hardiness zone of 3 to a 5b? And why do we have so much wind? What does all this mean and what can we do about it?
This is the first in a series of columns to address the climate crisis. During the next few months there will be articles by some of southern Vermont’s smartest people. The goal of the series is to inform about the changing climate, what must be done and what you can do. We will discuss what is already underway. We will point to future innovations and possible breakthroughs. We will think about the future if we don’t take action and take it very soon.
People react to the changing climate in different ways. Some worry about possible eventual outcomes, such as a catastrophic disaster that could destroy civilization. Others do their best to take action they believe will contribute to solving the problems.
To some of us the problems of climate change seems so big and so complicated that it is difficult to understand it, let alone work out actions one can take. We retreat and hope that the scientists, the experts, or the EPA will take care of it.
One of the axioms of environmental study is: You can’t do just one thing because all things are interconnected. We have an environmental system that has evolved through many millennium to be finely balanced. But the balance has been deeply disturbed in the last two centuries by a rapid change in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The additional carbon dioxide is created by emissions from burning fossil fuels, primarily oil, gas, and coal. This change has occurred in the last 150 years which is extremely rapid in the context of geological time.
The use of fossil fuel energy to power the great industrial revolution brought about amazing, astonishing benefits. Almost everything about how we live has been enhanced by fossil fuel energy. But the explosion in the burning of fossil fuels has polluted air and water and is detrimental to the health and well being of humans. The additional carbon dioxide also unbalanced earths ecosystems. Specifically it changed the chemical composition of earths atmosphere and that produces warming of the earth itself
In 1960 atmospheric carbon was measured at just under 300 parts per million (PPM). This measurement looks at how many molecules of carbon dioxide are in a specific volume as compared to all other molecules. Scientist thought that 350ppm was a “safe” level of carbon dioxide. At this level the temperature of the earth would be stable and healthy for the ecosystems earth supports and also for humans.
We are now at 422ppm. This number means that we can expect earth’s temperature to rise and indeed it is doing so. Is this the disaster that I feared in the second paragraph? Not necessarily.
This present trajectory will move us to about 2.5 C of warming.This level has already created issues of adapting to the new climate. But we must act very vigorously and very soon in order to stay in a safe zone.
These columns will discuss the problems and potentials that are possible. They will point to what is already being done and what must be done to avoid the worst outcomes. Some of the columns will discuss ideas about what individuals, family, businesses, small groups can do to reduce fossil fuel emission.
Together we really can make a difference.
For more information on the Climate Advocates of Bennington, visit climateadvocatesbennington.org/. Opinions expressed by columnists do not necessary reflect the views of Vermont News & Media.
By Jim Sullivan
Apr 8, 2024
Responsibilities and Opportunities
The two claims most often raised by those taking a dim view on transitioning toward a more sustainable energy and climate future are: (1) The actions of an individual, or of our small state of Vermont, will have no effect on climate change and (2) It’s just too hard, complicated, and expensive to change. The argument continues that we should, therefore, keep on burning fossil fuels for heating, transportation, and to produce electricity. While the simplicity of these sentiments may be appealing, they are both short-sighted and misleading.
The individual rationale for doing nothing, at the expense of society at large, has long been understood. It is the classic “Tragedy of the Commons” scenario where differing individual and collective logic produces opposing outcomes. Insisting that we can’t make a difference ensures that we won’t, and as long as we – and every other person, state, and nation – think that way, it is guaranteed that every one of us will be worse off in the future.
Given that individual inertia seems to favor the status quo, how is it possible to motivate people to change behaviors in ways that will benefit everyone, including themselves? A first step is to help everyone understand what is at stake in terms of our energy security, economic prosperity, and planetary health. As discussed in last month’s column, we must recognize that a dramatic reduction in fossil fuel use is necessary to assure a good quality of life for ourselves and for future generations. To achieve that goal, we need to find ways to simplify and ease the transition for individuals.
Fortunately, such impactful changes, in the form of state and federal programs and incentives, have been implemented and are available for everyone’s benefit. Those programs encourage the manufacture and use of energy-efficient products and compound the benefits of individual behavioral change. While new approaches to electricity generation, heating and cooling buildings, and transportation systems all are worth exploring in detail, let’s start by looking at personal mobility.
The future of transportation isn’t all about all-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, but that is a good place to start. To begin with, new and used vehicles are more affordable than ever, with state, federal, and utility company purchase incentives that can climb to well over $10,000. A wide variety of models are available, most costing significantly less than the average price of a new car (www.driveelectricvt.com). Add to that fueling (electric charging) costs that are comparable to paying $1.20-$1.50 per gallon for gasoline, the convenience of doing most of your fueling at home, and highly efficient mechanical systems far less likely to need repair (or even an oil change!).
As for the dreaded “range anxiety,” typical new EVs can cover 150-250 miles on a charge and charging infrastructure for longer trips is being built out rapidly. Cold weather can reduce those distances, but batteries still provide plenty of range for most daily driving and winter handling and heating are outstanding. For those needing to drive longer distances with some frequency, consider a plug-in hybrid, allowing for fully electric local driving while switching seamlessly to gas when the battery is depleted.
Better yet, think about other ways to get from point A to point B. Support and advocate for efforts to make your community more walkable and bikeable – and then walk and bike! Public transportation services are available in most larger communities, and intercity bus and rail connections are efficient and low-stress alternatives to driving.
Finally, remember that it doesn’t matter which political party is in power if you don’t act yourself. The best policies and programs accomplish nothing unless people recognize that we all have an individual responsibility to make a difference.
Future columns will expand on these ideas and look specifically at other opportunities to save money, improve efficiency, and transition to renewable energy.