The environmental emergency is unfolding: take action with these 5 steps.
The climate emergency affects Earth in various ways, impacting its land, atmosphere, and water bodies. It also significantly influences the health and behavior of all creatures, including humankind. As the chief climate correspondent for CNN, Bill Weir has witnessed these changes firsthand.
When Weir became a father during the pandemic, he had a profound realization. His son, River, was born in April 2020. He had a sister named Olivia, who was 16 at the time. Weir divulged this revelation to CNN's chief medical correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, in a recent episode of the Chasing Life podcast.
He stated, "I looked down at this little squirming little bundle of joy in my arms and realized that this kid is going to see the 22nd century. And I started writing, sort of, a letter of apology to him for the planet we broke that he was moving into." This letter eventually materialized into the opening of his new book, "Life As We Know It (Can Be): Stories of People, Climate, and Hope in a Changing World," which came out in April, coinciding with Earth Day.
Weir acknowledged that our lives are utterly dependent on a balanced planet. However, the Earth is no longer in balance.
He further commented, "Five million people die prematurely every year just from the pollution of burning fossil fuels across the globe. The heat kills more people than all other disasters combined."
Despite these challenges, humans continue striving to meet their needs, Weir noted, referring to Maslow's hierarchy of needs. He said that the basic requirements like clean air, water, temperature, and sleep are essential fundamentals for life.
A thought crossed Weir's mind when he considered the kind of world his son would inherit, leading him to pen a letter to River. "The Earth I joined in 1967 no longer exists. Now, we don't know what kind of planet will replace it."
The deteriorating state of the planet has created a unique kind of grief - climate grief. It encompasses the emotional response to the changing environment in which we still reside. Weir likened it to the five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. "You can drive through America and see entire regions in denial"
He added, "The city of Charleston, South Carolina and Miami are attempting to bargain with rising seas by putting up seawalls. There's a lot of anger and depression. But ultimately, until we reach acceptance, survivors turn into thrivers or end up with a more peaceful end."
Weir feels optimistic about humanity overcoming the crisis and suggested five ways to ensure a favorable conclusion.
1. Cease our reliance on fossil fuels globally: As one of the top three greenhouse gas emitters, the US has a significant role in controlling carbon-based fuel consumption. Burning fossil fuels for electricity, heat, and transportation results in heat-trapping emissions.
Weir illustrates this analogy through the story of a Maine fisherman, who described the addiction to fossil fuels as a "Godzilla." He said, "Cutting up 'Carbon Godzilla' and returning it to its source is humanity's top priority going forward.
2. Adapt to a warmer climate: Weir draws a connection with the adaptability of camels. Originally from Canada, these animals adjusted to the desert heat.
He noted, "Twenty-five thousand years ago, they were avoiding bears and jumping over beaver dams. The hump of fat on their bodies evolved to provide energy during the winter, and their eyelids adapted to shield them from snowstorms. After a few camels got lost and traversed the Bering land bridge into Asia, they discovered that these traits also worked exceptionally well in sand and during long hot journeys."
Despite not having the luxury of evolving over thousands of years, humans can utilize technology to acclimate to the warming climate. For instance, the whitest paint ever created reflects 98% of light back into space, potentially cooling a building by up to 19°F (10.6°C).
3. Find and support the helpers: Identify individuals working to make a positive difference and back them up.
4. Learn from past mistakes: Reflect on historical events and use that knowledge to make more informed decisions going forward.
5. Lead by example: As individuals, we can all play a role in combating the climate crisis by making small yet impactful changes in our daily lives.
Weir shares that the most valuable advice he has received for covering a catastrophe came from Mr. Rogers, who was told by his mother to "search for the rescuers" during frightening situations on television.
"There are always rescuers present in disasters," Weir explains. In moments when he's feeling despondent, "I need to look for the rescuers - not only those who assist communities reeling from a wildfire, or a hurricane, but also those dedicated to discovering more effective solutions and constructing more robust, eco-friendly, and resilient aspects of our existence," he adds.
1. Collaborate to safeguard the environment
Participate actively in your community; adopt the same care and consideration for the environment and your fellow humans as indigenous societies do.
"It encompasses caring for water, soil, and air... (which) fulfills those Maslow requirements in ways beyond our current, convenient world," Weir says. "We live in a time of isolation, requiring us to rely on each other more than ever," he adds.
Choose your role in this process, whether it involves organizing a rally, using your knowledge for a good cause, cleaning up a local park, or implementing eco-friendly practices.
"I simply want individuals to connect with each other and nature in the best ways possible," he says.
2. Reduce emissions wherever feasible
When given the chance, provide some relief to the environment. Focus on meeting your basic Maslow needs using more sustainable methods.
In his book, Weir reminds us that Maslow wrote, "Man is an incessant wanting being." However, Weir added, "he (Maslow) omits 'on a planet with finite resources.'"
"(Maslow's Pyramid) does not matter; what matters is how you fill it," Weir writes.
Consider your approach to fulfilling your needs. For instance, cut down on your use of single-use plastics; walk to the grocery store instead of driving; examine the carbon footprint of your diet; avoid wasting food, water, materials, or clothes. These seemingly small actions can accumulate.
Tune in to the whole episode here . And stay tuned to CNN’s Chasing Life podcast next week as we explore the bird flu virus and explain why it has emerged in US dairy cattle and its implications for milk drinkers.
CNN Audio's Eryn Mathewson helped report this story.
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Source: edition.cnn.com
