Let’s clear up some misconceptions.

Degrowth does NOT mean condemning millions of people in the Global South to starvation.

Degrowth is about social justice and climate justice. This means allowing the Global South to achieve something close to parity with a Global North that is sharply reducing consumption and energy use.

On the other hand, a continuation of endless economic growth, i.e. Business As Usual, DOES mean condemning hundreds of millions in the Global South to eco-climate disasters, drought, and starvation.

LEARN MORE -- https://www.greeneuropeanjournal.eu/degrowth-is-about-global-justice/

#Politics #History #Economics #Science #Environment #Climate #ClimateChange #Degrowth

At this point, after all we've been through, the idea of a global carbon budget seems to me like a joke. And not a funny one.

But even if you still believe for some reason that we can comfortably continue with Business As Usual a while longer, here’s something else to consider…
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Wildfires are burning through the carbon budget that humans have allocated themselves to limit global heating, a study shows.

Forests are going up in smoke in Brazil, the US, Greece, Portugal, and even the Arctic Circle amid Earth’s two hottest years in recorded history.

Each fire has a double impact on the global climate: first, by emitting carbon from the burned trees, and second, by reducing the capacity of forests to absorb carbon dioxide.

This adds to the heat in the Earth system, which has already been raised by the burning of gas, oil, and coal. As temperatures rise, droughts become more frequent, rainy seasons shorten, and forests become more vulnerable to fire.

“Fires are reducing the ability of forests and other ecosystems to store carbon, narrowing our window to keep global warming in check,” said Dr Chantelle Burton, the study’s lead author.

Climatologists say the already dire situation will deteriorate until humankind, particularly in the wealthy global north, stops burning fossil fuels.
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FULL STORY -- https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/03/wildfires-are-burning-through-humanitys-carbon-budget-study-shows

#Science #Environment #Climate #ClimateChange

Theoretically, it is still possible that all the leaders of major governments could jointly choose to enact radical degrowth policies — but a realistic look at the world today makes it clear how unlikely that would be.

No matter how much we want it, how loudly we yell, or how hard we protest, I can’t see that happening.

So what’s the alternative?

Since I began posting regularly here at Mastodon a year and a half ago, many people have asked in comments: What can we do? What actions can we take?

My answer has always been that the most important steps you can take are personal and local. No, I don’t mean just lowering your carbon footprint, although of course that’s a good idea. I mean beginning to make the big changes now on a local level that are coming to us, sooner or later, whether we like it or not.

We must simplify. We *will* simplify, at some point, so why not start now? Be an example. Find others who want to change, and join with them. Build a community. Create co-ops, clothing and furniture exchanges, neighborhood gardens, seed libraries, tool libraries, and establish teaching and training sessions.

Develop systems of sharing resources — such as low-carbon transportation, small-scale solar or wind power, engineering know-how, financial assistance, medical expertise, and more. The possibilities are endless.

You can do this. We can do it. Together, we will change our world.

#Environment #Climate #ClimateChange #ClimateCrisis #ClimateAction #Degrowth

via #WilWheaton on Tumblr
https://wilwheaton.tumblr.com/post/765179952022847489

#SciFi #WomenAuthors

P.S. Alt text added. Generously provided by @orange_lux

Somewhat disgraceful interview by Klein, but major props to Coates for having an honest discussion about the apartheid in Israel, and putting it in terms liberals can understand

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tg77CiqQSYk&t=900s