By definition, a conservative is someone who chooses to retain traditional values and is averse to change, whereas a progressive is a supporter of social reform and believes in adapting to change.
There is a rapidly growing consensus among those who believe in basing their actions and policies on evidence, that global warming has been – and continues to be – affected adversely by mankind’s activities.
Since the Industrial Revolution and the development of manufacturing and sophisticated means of transport, dependent on fossil fuel-based energy, emissions of carbon dioxide and other so-called greenhouse gases have been increasing. Simultaneously, massive areas of forest and jungle (an essential carbon sink) have been cleared for profit-making agricultural production.
Also, on an on-going basis, oceans have been taking over as carbon sinks, putting at risk not only marvels like the Great Barrier Reef, but also marine life, on which human life depends.
In addition to the Industrial Revolution, we have had a growth in activities which are dedicated to the acquisition and retention of wealth, with little or no regard to the well-being of other inhabitants of the planet, or, indeed, the planet itself.
I am sure that Greta Thunberg has little interest in being nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize, but is totally dedicated to persuading, as rapidly as possible, people and governments across the world to develop the necessary policies to combat global warming.
Increasingly people are beginning to accept that the issue is real, but are then consumed with pessimism that we have left it too late so why bother to attempt to change!
We have a diminishing window of opportunity for progressive policies to be established.
During WWII, we accepted food rationing and a wide range of restrictions on daily life in order to concentrate on the war effort.
We are now conducting a climate war, which is a global issue – we are not fighting other nations but nature itself!
The first question to ask any candidate for the 18 May 2019 Australian federal election is “What are your plans for stopping and reversing global warming?”
No other issue is important, because, without viable action, we do not have a future!
Conservative politics has resulted in a small minority becoming very rich, a large number of people left desperately clinging on to life in a world which is staring into the abyss and a planet which is being starved of oxygen!
Time for discussing climate change by philosophers is over. We just have time to set up panels of experts to prioritise the actions we must take to save our future.
We also do not have time to argue that we are a minnow in a big pond whose actions would be futile in the larger picture. We have to make a start and, believe me, if you take the trouble to research what is happening in Europe and many States in the USA, you will realise that we will not be alone!
The important issues now are not tax breaks, profits, dividends etc, but – will a child, now 15, be able to have a viable existence as an adult?
The consensus is – climate change, global warming – call it what you will – IS for real and if we act fast and immediately, we just might save our future on this planet.
This IS the Climate Change Election.
WE are the ones whose votes will determine our future!
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