I look forward to and will advocate for a carbon pollution-free future. There is an element of science fiction in climate action. “We are shaping the future we long for and have not yet experienced. I believe that we are in an imagination battle.” – Adrienne Maree Brown.
We struggle to envision a carbon-free future. We are held captive by a desire to maintain the status quo and by the very human fear of change. Fossil fuel industry propaganda has reinforced our fears.
Therefore, we need to amplify the stories of people who are already building a better world. We need to speak of a future where we no longer burn fossil fuels; a future where we enjoy the benefits of reduced pollution; a future with natural habitat and biodiversity preserved; a future where we have mitigated the effects of climate change.
At the 400,000-strong climate march in New York City back in 2014, a huge banner declared: WE HAVE THE SOLUTIONS. Even today, many people still believe we do not. The Carbon tracker report from 2021 tells us that “the technical and economic barriers have been crossed and the only impediment to change is political.” Source
A carbon-free world is possible. Talk to your local representatives about the future you want and vote for that future in upcoming provincial and federal elections. Imagine a different world.
Resources
- ‘If you win the popular imagination, you change the game’: why we need new stories on climate | Climate Crisis | The Guardian
- The Sky’s the Limit: Solar and wind energy potential – Carbon Tracker Initiative
- Preserve Biodiversity – Nurture ‘Everyday Awe’ – Climate Action Muskoka
- Our Provincial and Federal Representatives – Climate Action Muskoka
- The Future We Choose | Climate Crisis & Solutions Book | Global Optimism
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