The Climate Fighters

I’m totally on board with fighting for activity on climate change, but the cynic in me gets in the road just a little bit.

Not to take anything away from the brilliance of the Nobel peace prize winner this year - Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, for his efforts in securing peace with arch-enemy neighbour Eritrea, but I was keen to keep riding the train of teenager Greta Thunberg, as she spoke with passion and venom to the leaders of the world as they continue to take no action when it comes to how we are destroying our world. 

When Greta said “how dare you …” to those in charge, the world sat up and took notice. She wasn’t just a schoolkid any longer. She’s earned a pile of international awards and recognition over the past two years, but was happy to say “the climate doesn’t need awards, it needs action”. When she held up her placard that said “School Strike For Climate” (in Swedish), the entire world jumped on board.

You know I’m a mathematician and a scientist. That means I know my stats, rely on data, research and calculations when I make decisions. I insist on seeing the ‘proof’ and methods before coming to a conclusion or agreeing to something. From where I stand, the data on climate change is irrefutable. Sorry disbelievers, I’m not with you. I guess we’re all in one camp or the other, you can’t kind-of believe in climate change and global warming, either you’re in or you’re not. I guess it’s like being a ‘little bit’ pregnant.

When people say “I can’t make a difference”, I hope they’re the ones that get judged later on. Karma. Have a vege garden, reuse your water bottle, take a three minute shower, solar panels, abide by water restrictions, support the ‘Australian Made’ causes, actively avoid food/products made via unenvironmentally friendly means. And then some easier ones – don’t litter & don’t waste. How easy was that? … make a difference. If seven billion people did that, we’d be sweet.

I’m going to quote two very famous people … John (Cougar) Mellencamp who sang “You gotta stand for something, or you’re gonna fall for everything”, and our very own Army General David Morrison who said “The standard you walk past is the standard you accept”. Remarkable words from both of these fine men. So, everyone who has attended one of the climate change rallies in recent times is certainly adhering to these words. Bravo for taking a stand. I guess we know the big cheeses aren’t really listening, because until it costs them votes, they won’t. That’s why people glue themselves to the roads and barricade major events; to be heard. Rightly or wrongly, taking a stand means backing yourself.

The cynic bit of me asks the question that if the “School Strike For Climate” rallies happened on a Saturday in the lucky country, do I think that as many school kids would have been involved? Honestly? Probably not. Arguably the greatest cause ever, but if it didn’t involve getting a Friday afternoon off, and missing out on Maths and English period, I’m not totally convinced all those teenagers would have been there. Sorry, cynical for sure, because I certainly know of some extremely passionate and genuine young people who are committed to this cause, and would have marched even if it were Christmas Day or Day One of the Ashes test – don’t take offence you people.

I’ll be gone before our world is ruined. But not too long gone I don’t think. One of the best cardboard signs I saw said “THERE’S NO PLANet B”. Nice. Stand for something, or fall for everything.