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The relative inaction on climate change by the G8 during its meeting in Italy may have one beneficial effect. Few of us should have any remaining illusions that help is on the way or that what little is being done will be anything other than too little, too late.
The spotlight now shifts to the U.S. Senate, which begins consideration of H.R. 2454: American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, otherwise known as Waxman-Markey. They are the last chance for any meaningful action in global warming in this session, but I wouldn't get my hopes up. Politicians rely on two strategies for dealing with difficult problems. First, cut whatever deals are necessary to get something passed, anything passed, so they can go back to the voters and declare a great victory, so they can win their next election, which is all they really care about. Second, spread the pain as thinly and as far into the future as possible, hopefully to a time when they are either out of office or dead. A politician never met an out-year he didn't love. That may work for things like the budget or Medicare where future governments can indefinitely defer final payment on yesterday's bills by jiggering the books or printing more money. Climate change is different. We all know about messing with Mother Nature. If global warming is as real as the scientists say it is, then the cost of inaction will be paid in full by every person on the planet. So if you are a parent with a 5 year old child, in 30 years your child will be 35 years old and looking forward to the prospect of raising his or her children in whatever world we left them. And if you go on past actions, that world is not going to be any day at the beach and there really won't be a whole lot that any government will be able to do stop it.Like I said, it is every man, woman and child for themselves. Take my advice and don't worry about saving the planet. The planet will do just fine over the next couple of billion years, with or without people. For right now, you would be a whole lot better off if you focused on saving yourself and your kids and their kids.
This article first appeared on PlanetRestart.org
