Simple Equation

I've written about this before. And anyone with any sense can see the connection. Every time the global economy grows, we humans increase our greenhouse gas emissions. These greenhouse gas emissions fuel climate change and threaten our species and all other species. So really the global economy threatens our species and all other species.

Logically therefore the global economy has got to go. There is no other sane conclusion.

The UK government just released the greenhouse gas emission numbers for 2009. Carbon dioxide emissions dropped by almost 10% from the previous year! Officials (don't you just love that title) said that this drop was caused by the bad, old recession. Boo fucking hoo. Can't they see that this is a really good thing, that they are reducing their emissions?

I'm not going to pretend that other officials (elected or otherwise) are actually going to do anything about reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that threaten our survival. A lot of people have faith in Kyoto, Copenhagen and Cancun and the One Tonne Challenge and One Million Acts of Green and other such spin. Each one achieved almost nothing (apart from maybe convincing people that something had to be done but then providing them no options for action apart from buying something new and sustainable) and there are, happily for the global economy, loopholes that you could drive a (polluting) truck through.

So our jobs are to encourage the global economy on its downward trajectory. At this point it's on its way anyway I would argue but it can always use a little push. Our survival demands it. Jobs (basically selling your labour for little pieces of paper that let you buy necessities--there are other 'jobs' and ways to live) aren't worth risking the planet. The Egyptians are doing there part as oil has now gone above $100 a barrel. Just a bit more and we'll have another recession and reduced GHG emissions. Keep up the good work!

Don't forget the equations:

global economy growth = increased GHG emissions = runaway climate change = risk to all species

global economy shrinks = GHG emissions balance = less drastic climate change = reduced risk to all species

Remember you do get to choose which one you want for you and you children and their children. But you have to act!