For those unfamiliar with it, the Climate Clock uses the latest science to count down how much time the world has left to stop climate change from becoming exponentially worse. The Deadline and Lifelines on the Climate Clock highlight the urgent actions needed to limit severe climate impacts. The clock’s deadline tells us that, at current rates of greenhouse gas emissions, we now have less than five years left in the global “carbon budget.”
Unfortunately, the tentacles of the fossil fuel lobby are so embedded that governments have failed for years to enact the changes necessary to protect citizens. We already have the technology and the scientific answers to our problems. So why haven’t we changed? The problem is that our current economic model has a fundamental design flaw. In complex systems, intelligent design is paramount.
Our current system allows for unlimited resource use with unpriced external costs that are borne by all of us but especially the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people. This is also true within the United States. For example, when CenterPoint Energy (CNP), currently a $20 billion company, placed a 300,000-gallon propane tank right next to an aging and predominantly minority community (Mahoney). When people scoff at the idea of infrastructure like a highway or pipeline being “racist” these are the issues they are willing to ignore. Imagine the resources Easton would muster to fight a pipeline like this in our community.
We love our town. We know there is a problem. We now have the solutions. Where is the collective will to act to fix the biggest problem humanity has ever faced?
I have a question for other adults in town. Have we all become consumers, instead of citizens? We need to adapt to the environment in which we now find ourselves for resiliency. This is no longer a problem for which we can afford to kick the can to our children. My children are what prompted me to write this letter. As a finance professional, how am I to plan for the long term? What good are short-term profits and savings if there is no planet on which to use them?
Easton’s way of thinking and living, while not perfect, puts us in better shape for climate resiliency than most towns. Our long history of preserving our ecosystem and watershed are our key strengths. What we need to do now is focus on other steps we can take to amplify the conservation impact of those who came before us. We need to adapt our way of thinking about our landscapes with a focus on long-term resiliency and ecosystem repair. Our open spaces will likely face increasing development pressure in the coming years. As rising temperatures make larger portions of the global south uninhabitable, we will see increased migration and development demands in our region. This makes our conservation efforts more crucial than ever.
Easton is our wonderful jewel, and many like to think of it as separate from the rest of the county, state, and world. But that’s not realistic, nor is it helpful. It does not excuse us from the impacts and challenges we will face. We’re all part of a system far vaster than appreciated. Many of the political and economic challenges that divide us in this town, when explored deeply, have the linkage of a flawed economy that benefits too few at the expense of too many because of unrecognized and unpriced external costs of production.
As the warming of the oceans and planet accelerates, those that benefit the most from the status quo, the billionaire class, continue to emit more pollution than the poorest 66% of humanity or five billion people (Oxfam International iii). This behavior is not only morally bankrupt but also unsustainable. You simply cannot put this many people at risk of losing their homes, decency, and lives without any repercussions. That is why we need to start having respectful, science-informed adult conversations about resiliency and adaptation in our town.
As somebody who views things at a systems level, I believe Regenerative Capitalism is a necessary adaptation for the climate crisis. It addresses the root fundamental flaw of our economic system that has led to these interwoven global crises. For those not familiar with the concept, it focuses on creating an economy that restores, renews, and regenerates resources, ensuring sustainability and equity for future generations. It prioritizes ecological health, social well-being, and economic viability, challenging the traditional model that prioritizes short-term profits over long-term sustainability.
With Biden dropping out of the presidential race, I’m hopeful for the emergence of a science-led shift to reframe our economic platform as we approach crucial decision-making moments on climate. Times are changing, they always have, and always will. The sooner we fix the fundamental design flaw and stop playing “Whac-A-Mole” with symptoms, the better the future outcome for all.
It is imperative that as a community, we put aside our minor differences, focus on our collective long-term goals, and take decisive steps to ethically address the climate crisis. We should further embrace regenerative practices, support sustainable policies, and foster a culture of resilience. By doing so, we can ensure a thriving future for Easton and beyond. The clock is ticking. Let’s not wait for another Climate Emergency Day to remind us of the urgency of having these discussions:
- Assessing how our current open spaces contribute to climate resilience: Evaluating the role our green areas play in absorbing carbon dioxide, reducing urban heat islands, and supporting biodiversity.
- Identifying opportunities for climate adaptation in land management practices: Implementing practices such as agroforestry, cover cropping, and regenerative grazing to enhance soil health and water retention.
- Prioritizing future land acquisitions with climate projections in mind: Strategically acquiring and conserving land that will remain viable and productive under future climate scenarios.
- Developing strategies to protect our open spaces from increased development pressure: Creating policies and incentives to preserve natural landscapes and prevent overdevelopment, ensuring these areas continue to provide essential ecosystem services.
- Investing in farm infrastructure: Providing local farmers with the necessary infrastructure such as irrigation systems, storage facilities, and renewable energy sources to enhance their resilience and sustainability.
By taking these steps, we can create a robust framework for climate resilience and sustainability, helping our community and setting an example for others to follow.
In conclusion, human complexity and diversity are what enable us to innovate our way out of problems, and I believe ideas like Regenerative Capitalism present novel solutions by accounting for that complexity. As a species, we’ve never faced a more dangerous or complicated problem. The impacts of ecosystem collapse are unimaginable in terms of human suffering. We must do something.
We need to be vocal citizens, rather than consumers. I suggest we start discussing the adaptations we need to make for resiliency. Yes, the problem is big, but the uncomfortable but true fact is we’re a part of that problem. We need to stop ignoring it with a casual indifference because the problem is “too big.” As Elie Wiesel, the Holocaust survivor, author, and Nobel Laureate, famously said, “The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference.” (Wiesel)
I find the below verse from the musical Hamilton particularly relevant to our current situation.
Let me tell you what I wish I’d known
When I was young and dreamed of glory
You have no control
Who lives, who dies, who tells your story
I know that we can win
I know that greatness lies in you
But remember from here on in
History has its eyes on you
(Jackson and Miranda)
History is watching us, and we’re running out of time to tell a good story to our children. Let’s put aside our differences and get to work.
Jonathan J Webster, CFA, is a member of Easton’s Pension and Employee Benefits Commission and an alternate to the Agricultural Commission.
