The least we can say is that we are receiving some tough environmental news. Although cries of alarm from scientists and activists have been ringing out for decades, it seems that the inaction of many is leading us towards alarming data.
If we look at 3 specific elements, we easily see that it is important, even urgent, to act at all levels.
Earth Overshoot Day
Earth Overshoot Day is a calculation made by the Global Footprint Network . This calculation is used to establish an annual date from which humanity has consumed all the resources that the planet is capable of regenerating in a year. After this date, humanity consumes non-renewable resources in an irreversible manner. In the last decade, it seems that we need more or less 1.7 planet Earths to meet our 'needs'.
In 2021, a year of pandemic, the organization estimated this date as July 29. Can we rejoice? Yes and no. No, because the only valid explanation is confinement, particularly in industrialized countries. Yes, because it demonstrates that we can do better by adopting new strategies.
The waste report
A few weeks ago, the Office of Public Hearings on the Environment (BAPE) unveiled a dazzling report on the state of play and the management of residues .
According to the most recent annual data from Recyc-Québec (2019), more than 6 million tonnes of residual materials have been eliminated. This is equivalent to 724 kilograms, the highest amount since 2011.
Although the government has a waste management policy, the BAPE states that at the rate at which things are being taken in hand, it is utopian to achieve the objective of 525 kg/inhabitant established for 2023.
The IPCC
The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recently published an exhaustive report of nearly 4,000 pages (well no, I haven't read them all ;). This document is produced by 270 authors and focuses mainly on the human and ecological consequences of climate change.
Based on scientific research, the authors show that humanity is heading towards catastrophic and irreversible events.
Fortunately, they also argue that the consequences could be avoided if fossil fuels were gradually phased out.
However, it is understood that the room for maneuver is very small and that changes must take place now.
We are part of the solution.
I admit that as an environmentalist, this news one after the other came to shake me. Humbly paralyze me momentarily. Once put down, out of love for the Earth and everything that makes it up, out of love for my children and those around me, I landed on my feet. We are part of the solution. Each of us and collectively. But what is our power?
If we look at 3 spheres of our life, we see that a lot is there: transport, waste and food. If each of us already adopted more eco-responsible habits and shared them with others, that would clearly be a win.
To find out more about eco-responsibility, I invite you to read an article on this subject
Ecologically yours,
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