When I get stressed I can't just sit with my uncomfortable emotions, I also need to seek solutions.
And in the past few weeks I've grown increasingly stressed watching the forests around my home dry up, while wildfires grow at alarming rates.
So this week I decided to get more clarity on the clearest actions - we the people - can take to reduce the impacts of climate change.
First, I wanted to get a better sense of where the bulk of the pollution is coming from - ie. what countries are most responsible for our ever warming planet?
COAL...
If you weren't already aware, coal appears to be the single biggest source of emissions on the planet. In fact, coal-fired electricity generation accounted for nearly 76% of global CO₂ emissions from the power sector in 2022.
And in the US it's heavily subsidized, estimates suggest the total annual U.S. fossil fuel subsidy is in the hundreds of billions, with coal propped up by ongoing support despite declining demand.
If you weren't already aware, coal appears to be the single biggest source of emissions on the planet. In fact, coal-fired electricity generation accounted for nearly 76% of global CO₂ emissions from the power sector in 2022.
And in the US it's heavily subsidized, estimates suggest the total annual U.S. fossil fuel subsidy is in the hundreds of billions, with coal propped up by ongoing support despite declining demand.
And with a perceived energy crisis due to AI overload, Coal may not be cut any time soon, which brings me back to this wonderful bluegrass track - dark as a dungeon.
"Come and listen you fellers, so young and so fine... and seek not your fortune, in the dark dreary mines, it'll form as a habit that'll creep in your soul, til the stream of your blood, runs as black as the COAL."
Transportation makes up the biggest source of pollution
If you live in the L.A. area, gridlock is a way of life. Apparently it's even worse in Toronto.
And cars are the biggest culprits at a whopping 42% of transportation emissions.
If you live in the L.A. area, gridlock is a way of life. Apparently it's even worse in Toronto.
And cars are the biggest culprits at a whopping 42% of transportation emissions.
E-vehicles are growing in popularity, but that's only a small part of the solution.
One of the bigger issues is that in the sprawling United States (and Canada) people depend heavily on vehicles because of a lack of quality mass transit options - high speed rail in particular.
The State of California has been trying to build a high speed rail for almost two decades, but they've only laid about 170 miles of track to date.
Meanwhile China and Europe have developed mass networks covering thousands (China's is over 38,000 miles) of miles and multiple countries.
One of the bigger issues is that in the sprawling United States (and Canada) people depend heavily on vehicles because of a lack of quality mass transit options - high speed rail in particular.
The State of California has been trying to build a high speed rail for almost two decades, but they've only laid about 170 miles of track to date.
Meanwhile China and Europe have developed mass networks covering thousands (China's is over 38,000 miles) of miles and multiple countries.
So let's boil it down to two simple actions America can take to greatly reduce emissions.
1- Stop subsidizing coal and push for the closure of coal based energy plants
On a personal level, support clean energy utility companies or join a local solar energy 'club' which allows a group of homes to access solar energy as opposed to doing it themselves. It's great for renters too.
Vote locally to stop coal power plants in your area.
2- Reduce car usage.
Grab a bike - or e-bike if you're travelling great distances.
Car pool
1- Stop subsidizing coal and push for the closure of coal based energy plants
On a personal level, support clean energy utility companies or join a local solar energy 'club' which allows a group of homes to access solar energy as opposed to doing it themselves. It's great for renters too.
Vote locally to stop coal power plants in your area.
2- Reduce car usage.
Grab a bike - or e-bike if you're travelling great distances.
Car pool
Vote locally and make politicians accountable for getting mass transit completed now!
Point is, we need to focus.
It can get overwhelming when you look at all the issues at once, so let's tackle the biggest ones first!
Point is, we need to focus.
It can get overwhelming when you look at all the issues at once, so let's tackle the biggest ones first!
