Tuesday, January 21, 2025
More

    Paradigm shift needed to address climate change, biodiversity loss

    Date:

    Sharing is SO MUCH APPRECIATED!

    By David Suzuki

    Much of the focus in trying to address climate breakdown is rightly on reducing emissions from burning gas, oil and coal. But an equally critical part of the equation is halting and reversing rampant destruction of the natural world.

    Whether or not you believe our planet and its biosphere operates like a living organism — “Gaia,” as the late scientist James Lovelock called it — there’s no denying it constitutes a harmoniously balanced system, with natural cycles that have evolved to support human and other life forms.

    From the hydrologic, or water cycle (whereby water cartwheels around the biosphere through evaporation, photosynthesis and precipitation) to the carbon cycle (in which carbon repeatedly moves from the atmosphere into Earth’s organisms and then back into the atmosphere), these intricately interconnected processes maintain an equilibrium that keeps temperatures and geological forces relatively stable and facilitates our existence.

    When one cycle is thrown out of balance, it affects all the others. Burning gas, oil and coal releases carbon that has been absorbed through solar energy and compressed and stored over millennia. This increases atmospheric carbon levels, which creates a heat-trapping blanket around Earth, causing the global average temperature to rise rapidly. This in turn affects systems such as the hydrologic cycle, creating increased precipitation and flooding in some areas and drought in others.

    Carbon is also stored in trees and other plants, and in oceans and wetlands. When forests and other green spaces are destroyed or altered, it affects the carbon and other cycles — as well as the myriad species that rely on these habitats.

    It’s all interconnected.

    “There is a double movement humanity must make,” said Susana Muhamad, president of the United Nations COP16 Biodiversity summit in Cali, Colombia, to be held in October. “The first one is to decarbonize and have a just energy transition. The other side of the coin is to restore nature and allow nature to take again its power over planet Earth so that we can really stabilize the climate.”

    Delegates to the 2022 COP15 summit in Montreal agreed to work toward halting biodiversity loss by protecting 30 per cent of the world’s land, water and marine areas by 2030.

    Guardian article reports that the activities of a still-growing human population of more than eight billion has caused insect numbers to plummet, oceans to acidify and fill with plastic pollution and resources to rapidly become depleted. Animals and plants continue to go extinct at an alarming rate.

    Scientists have been warning for years that we’re approaching a sixth mass extinction, representing the most significant loss of life since dinosaurs were wiped out.

    In simple terms, resolving the climate crisis requires phasing out fossil fuels and cutting emissions. Addressing the biodiversity crisis involves protecting remaining natural areas and restoring those our activities have damaged or destroyed.

    But achieving those outcomes requires an even greater shift: a shift in consciousness to facilitate new ways of thinking about economics and human wellbeing.

    We can’t get out of the mess we’ve created using an outdated system based on endless growth and consumption — a system that prioritizes profit and measures progress by increases in gross domestic product, or GDP. We need ways to ensure people’s needs are met without destroying the natural systems that make life, good health and wellbeing possible.

    It’s a dilemma because, in some respects, capitalism promotes innovation and technological advances — which are needed to resolve some of the most immediate problems. So, just as a transition from fossil fuel economies to more conservation-oriented ones using renewable energy is necessary, so too is a transition from profit-driven consumer capitalism to more benign forms and eventually to more enlightened systems altogether.

    We need to use every available tool to halt and reverse the damage we’re wreaking on our planet and ourselves, but we must also stop placing humans at the centre of existence. We are part of nature and what we do to it we do to ourselves.

    Many Indigenous Peoples have long understood this, but the current mainstream ideology of domination and exploitation has run roughshod over the kinds of knowledge that come from living in place and observing nature’s interconnectedness.

    We need to shift to a society based on respect, responsibility and reciprocity.

    David Suzuki is a scientist, broadcaster, author and co-founder of the David Suzuki Foundation. Written with David Suzuki Foundation Senior Writer and Editor Ian Hanington.

    Learn more at davidsuzuki.org.

    REFERENCES:

    James Lovelock called it:

    https://www.vox.com/climate/24118151/gaia-hypothesis-ferris-jabr-book-becoming-earth

    Hydrologic cycle:

    https://www.noaa.gov/jetstream/atmosphere/hydro

    Carbon cycle:

    https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/carbon-cycle.html#transcript

    Said Susana Muhamad:

    https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/aug/22/nature-catastrophe-biodiversity-summit-president-carbon-emissions-climate-breakdown-susana-muhamad-aoe

    Agreed to work toward halting biodiversity loss:

    https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/cop15-ends-landmark-biodiversity-agreement

    Guardian article reports:

    https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/dec/19/cop15-historic-deal-signed-to-halt-biodiversity-loss-by-2030-aoe

    Sixth mass extinction:

    https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2023/09/human-driven-mass-extinction-eliminating-entire-genera

    Economics and human wellbeing:

    https://davidsuzuki.org/project/wellbeing-economies

    System based on endless growth and consumption:

    https://davidsuzuki.org/story/valuing-exponential-growth-as-progress-is-unsustainable

    More benign forms:

    Sharing is SO MUCH APPRECIATED!

    POPULAR

    More Good Stuff!
    Related

    VIDEO | BEST PICKLEBALL POINTS from the Sacramento Open

    These are the BEST points from the PPA Tour's...

    Secret Agent: Send Your Children To A Village! How To Detect A Lie Instantly! – Evy Poumpouras

    Evy Poumpouras is a former Secret Service agent, TV...

    The SHOCKING Side Effects Of OZEMPIC | Ozempic Expert Johann Hari

    What are the side effects of Ozempic? Johann Hari is...

    Executing the Mid-Day Groom at Blue Mountain Resort

    On Monday, January 6, 2025 we reintroduced mid-day grooming....

    COLLINGWOOD OPP MAKE ARREST FOLLOWING SERIES OF THEFTS FROM GROCERY STORE 

    (Town of the Blue Mountains, ON) - Members of the...

    Rewind At Blue | SATURDAY JULY 20TH – SUNDAY, JULY 21ST

    SATURDAY, JULY 20TH - SUNDAY, JULY 21ST Get ready to...

    Yonnhe’ón:we: Indigenous Art Series Call for Artists

    Collingwood, ON – The Yonnhe’ón:we Indigenous Arts Series returns...

    County further expands open data portal with insights into the early learning and child care system across the region

    Midhurst/December 11, 2024 – The County of Simcoe has once...

    OPP Investigate Overnight Robbery in Midland

    (MIDLAND, ON) - A William Street business was the victim...

    VIDEO | Hunter Johnson avenges Worlds defeat, downs Staksrud for men’s singles gold.

    Watch the Men's Singles Championship match: (1) Federico Staksrud...

    Navigating September: How to Set Meaningful Goals for the New Season

    We all feel it - the subtle shift that...

    Bernadette Connors Band and Hunter Rock The Shipyards Amphitheatre

    Friday, June 28 - Show starts at 6 PM...

    Affordable Housing Seed Funding Opportunity | The Town of Collingwood

    Collingwood, ON – The Town of Collingwood is...

    Craig Smith with lunch by The Hustle Grab & Go star at our Local Live Lunch

    August 7th – 12 till 1:30 – Craig Smith...

    VIDEO: 張哲瀚Zhang Zhehan 紀錄片《八月》

    《八月》是中國演員張哲瀚首次擔任導演的紀錄片,2024年4月14日上線。 該片記錄了張哲瀚在2021年8月突遇網路風暴,演藝人生頃刻被顛倒後的一次自我療愈之旅。 當舞臺與燈光不再,當事業與生活被網路上的不實資訊和惡意扭曲震碎,張哲瀚選擇在兩年後的8月,以自己熱愛的方式向著真實的世界重新出發。從香格里拉到拉薩的騎行之路上,他遇見雪山和冰川,遇見草木牛羊,遇見許多個普通而動人的面孔;他傾聽天地之聲,傾聽陌生人的故事,也傾聽內心的痛和愛。 曾經的8月還未終結,以後的8月依然會來。而這一個《八月》意義非常。 #zhangzhehan_super3 #張哲瀚 #張哲瀚八月 #紀錄片八月 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLwMG6XoJ34&t=11s

    VIDEO | Elon Musk Stuns Piers Morgan

    I worked at Tesla starting in July of 2017...

    The GOOD OLD HOCKEY GAME | The Collingwood Blues @ ‘The Eddie’

    It's Friday night. I'm walking to 'The Eddie' to...

    Collingwood Blues Tailgate CELEBRATION Party | The Legion | 10 am, Saturday

    ATTENTION BLUES COUNTRY... With the threat of bad weather on...

    CANCELLED | Strawberry Moon Festival | Milkbarn Sessions | June 22nd

    A night dedicated to celebrate Music, Art and Fashion...

    Community invited to provide input on waterfront public piazza park

    Collingwood, ON – Exciting news for Collingwood Residents! The...

    Collingwood – Vehicle on Front Yard leads to Impaired Driving Charges

    (COLLINGWOOD, ON) - On December 22, 2024, at 11:00 pm,...

    Plastic People – The Hidden Crisis of Microplastics

    Together with White Pine Pictures, Be The Change Film...

    Golf Course Closed for Maintenance on Thursday, September 19 | The Town of The Blue Mountains

    Golf Course Closed for Maintenance on Thursday, September 19 The...

    OPP: DEFEND AGAINST “PORCH PIRATES” THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

    DEFEND AGAINST "PORCH PIRATES" THIS HOLIDAY SEASON (ORILLIA, ON) - The...

    VIDEO | This is How China is making the classroom of the future

    Shenzhen is also well known for having some of...

    Smile and Greet Someone Today | Camera On Collingwood

    It's a place where community ties are strong, and everyone looks out for each other.

    ‘AXIS: BOLD AS LOVE’ — A Jimi Hendrix Halloween Party | Milkbarn Sessions

    Road Waves presents...'AXIS: BOLD AS LOVE' — A Jimi...

    Four Winds Music Fest Presents: Golden Leaves Day Fest

    Join us for a day filled with golden leaves,...

    OPP CHARGES MORE THAN 700 DRIVERS WITH IMPAIRED DRIVING DURING FESTIVE RIDE CAMPAIGN

    (ORILLIA, ON) - The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) wrapped up...

    Reap What You Sow | The Mike Malloy YouTube Channel

    On July 13, 2024, while speaking at a well-attended...

    Why Self-Checkout Is No Longer Profitable for Retailers

    Self-checkout stations were once a retail innovation, promising cost...

    Black Harvest Festival | Saturday October 26th

    🎃 The Black Harvest Festival returns this Saturday from...

    Rosie’s Smokehouse Deluxe Fires Up The Collingwood Festival for Canada

    The Town of Collingwood presents Rosie's Smokehouse Deluxe Live...

    Public Survey Regarding Joint Multi-Use Recreation Feasibility Assessment Now Open

    Collingwood, ON – The Town of The Blue Mountains...

    FEMALE CHARGED WITH IMPAIRED OPERATION AFTER SINGLE VEHICLE COLLISION

    (TOWN OF WASAGA BEACH, ON) - The Huronia West Detachment...

    Tom Cochrane, Wasaga Beach Memories Of Summer

    Summer is coming to an end , but the fun...

    OJHL POWER RANKINGS TO DEBUT WEDNESDAY

    Poll of head coaches will determine top 10 teams...

    THREE DRIVERS CHARGED WITH IMPAIRED DRIVING OFFENCES OVER THE WEEKEND

    (Collingwood, ON) - Members of the Collingwood and Blue Mountains...

    Candle Making Workshop with Serendipity Candles | Side Launch Brewing Company

    Wed, Dec 4, 2024 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM...

    Dollar Villa – Your Gift Giving Headquarters in Collingwood

    Some great ideas for gifts and stocking stuffers from...

    VIDEO: Cenk Uygur: Trump vs Harris, Progressive Politics, Communism & Capitalism

    Cenk Uygur is a progressive political commentator and host...

    #JESUS: Trump reverses course on relations with China as Elon Musk exerts influence

    CNN's Will Ripley reports on Chinese Vice President Han...

    Collingwood: One of Our Treasured Crossing Guards Experiences Medical Emergency

    Statement from The Office of The MayorCollingwood, ON ...

    Federico Staksrud vs Jack Sock at the Selkirk Red Rock Open Presented by Pickleball Central

    Watch the Men’s Singles Championship match: (1) Federico Staksrud...

    Town Hall Holiday Office Closure | Town of The Blue Mountains

    They would like to advise residents of upcoming service...

    VIDEO | Chinese Cybertruck with Helicopter Set for 2025 Production! #WOW

    Xpeng Aeroht brought its modular flying car to CES....

    Half the World Has Now Joined BRICS – Here’s Why They’re Winning in 2025

    BRICS just doubled in size and the organization has...

    It’s time to ditch the lawn and go natural!

    By David Suzuki Massive fields of non-native turfgrass that suck...

    Climate progress is unstoppable, despite U.S. election

    By David Suzuki Saying the U.S. election result is a...

    Tapestry: the Carole King Songbook | Meaford Hall

    Saturday, September 14, 2024 7:30 pm - BUY TICKETS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csQX6kYTDCU&t=262s Tapestry:...

    County of Simcoe to celebrate annual Week of Welcome across the region

    Midhurst/September 9, 2024 – The County of Simcoe and its...

    Casey Morrison Shares a Funny and Cute Baby Bunny Video

    Enjoy a smile or a laugh, you deserve it!...

    Rest and restore by spending time in nature

    We’re inundated with consumer solutions to every problem. There’s a...

    Collingwood is ‘On the Move’: Celebrating Bike Month

    Collingwood, ON – Collingwood residents are encouraged to get 'On...

    County creating more safe spaces for unhoused individuals during the coldest months of the year

    Enacts alternate spaces strategy for 2024/25 winter sheltering Midhurst/October 18, 2024...

    OPP Seeking Assistance in Commercial Break and Enter / Mischief in Midland

    (MIDLAND,ON)- Investigators from the Southern Georgian Bay OPP Detachment are seeking assistance...

    Great Adventures in Iceland with Our Collingwood Girl Guides

    Our Collingwood Girl Guides spent two years fundraising and...

    10 Buddhist Principles So That NOTHING Can AFFECT YOU | Buddhism

    10 Buddhist Principles So That NOTHING Can AFFECT YOU...

    AI News: Google’s AI Can Now SEE Everything | Matt Wolfe

    Here's all the AI News you missed this week....

    China’s Innovative Edge – The Impact on Global Markets | Economic Transformation

    China is embarking on the next stage of its...

    The Collingwood Sailing Academy FUNDRAISER | June 15th

    This Saturday the Collingwood Sailing Academy is hosting a...

    Burying radioactive nuclear waste poses enormous risks

    By David Suzuki As the consequences of burning dirty, climate-altering...

    LawnShare helps create vibrant, biodiverse havens

    Rooted in colonial history, these barren, thirsty, high-maintenance landscapes...

    Inside an NYC Townhouse Made From 18 Shipping Containers | Architectural Digest

    “We just respond creatively to what humanity pushes aside.”...

    Solar Power can now be generated at NIGHT! It’s really TRUE!

    John, thank you for sharing my work on your...

    SCOUTS FROM NHL, WORLD JR. A CHALLENGE, COLLEGE, CHL HEADED TO ‘BATTLE OF ONTARIO’ IN SMITHS FALLS NOV. 19-20

    Twelve-game All-Star, Prospects tournament pits CCHL against OJHL October 30,...

    Ally Vitally | The Verdict: GUILTY of ALL 34 CHARGES

    In the heart of Manhattan, the courtroom was packed...

    AI Expert on Who Will Lose Jobs to AI First | Moonshots

    Views are my own thoughts; not Financial, Medical, or...

    Maple Blues Band | September 19, 2024 | John Saunders Centre

    Come join us for an unforgettable night of soulful...

    County of Simcoe Paramedic Services Food and Toy Drive – Week Two Update

    Midhurst/November 21, 2024 – On November 13th, the County of...

    VIDEO: Tesla FSD 13 First Drive!

    This video showcases the new features of Tesla's Full...

    OJ REELS RETURNS, LEAGUE PODCAST DEBUTING SOON

    Veteran junior hockey media commentator Alex Bastyovanszky will host...

    Canada government in chaos over Trump threat – CNN

    Canada could retaliate against President-elect Donald Trump’s threatened tariffs...

    VIDEO | Danielle Smith visits Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago

    Alberta Premier Danielle Smith visited Mar-a-Lago, the Florida home...

    Climate change fuels wildfires worldwide

    By David Suzuki Last summer, during a record-breaking wildfire season,...

    GPT-5 Will Make GPT-4o Look Like a Toddler’s Toy!

    The potential of GPT-5, while speculative, promises to herald...

    OJHL BOARD APPROVES RELOCATION OF BRANTFORD TO KING TOWNSHIP FOR 2024-25 SEASON

    Former 99ers franchise to play out of new state-of-the-art...

    Rosa Sparks shares 6 Morning Habits That Are Secretly Shortening Your Life – And How to Stop Them Now!

    Are your morning habits silently stealing years from your...

    Twas The Night Before Pride | Friday, May 31st | Collingwood

    Twas The Night Before Pride Get ready to kick...

    Collingwood Live & Original Summer Concert Series is back!

    Collingwood, ON – The Collingwood Live & Original Summer...

    Hurricanes and Denial | Politicians Pour Fuel on an Overheating Planet

    By David Suzuki Florida has been slammed by two devastating...

    ‘Totally new and terrifying’: Trump’s disturbing rhetoric escalates as trial heats up

    With less than six months until the election, Trump’s...

    #ITSTARTS with Diversity Ambassador Training

    #ITSTARTS with Diversity Ambassador Training Midhurst/January 8, 2025 – With #ITSTARTS...

    Drone expert debunks mystery sightings and explains how lasers can be deadly to passing pilots

    Unidentified objects, thought to be drones, have been spotted...

    God Bless Bitcoin: Challenging the Current Monetary System | Full Movie

    God Bless Bitcoin asks the timely question: How do...

    Sidelaunch Days 2024: Celebrating Collingwood’s Waterfront and Shipbuilding History

    Collingwood, ON – Collingwood, ON - Sidelaunch Days returns...

    How Tesla Reinvented The Supercomputer

    Tesla's Dojo supercomputer is a unique new technology in...

    Amazing Way China Builds Ultra-Modern Capsule Houses

    In this episode on Tekniq, we delve into the...

    Dr. Bridget: Nurture Your Health This Summer: Easy Tips for Staying Energized and Balanced

    As we move through these beautiful summer months, I've...

    Celebrating Culture and Community: And Then Came Carnival North

    Carnival North Brings Caribbean Vibes to Simcoe County For my...

    Temporary Water Outage – Swiss Meadows – December 11, 2024

    The Town of The Blue Mountains would like to...

    The Calm Within: Finding Peace through Breathing

    Sophia had always been a ball of energy. Her...

    Canada Post union denounces government intervention in negotiations | Power & Politics

    Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon has laid the groundwork to...