Climate Change: A Civil Discussion
Things are heating up, and it's not just the global average temperature. There is a lot of passion and confusion regarding the topic of climate change. Worry about the next generation, or government control, or who's right. My goal isn't to answer your every question, because who am I but a concerned citizen? No, we need to think for ourselves. We can be thrown every fact, opinion, and solution, but it's up to us to interpret it and decide what we're going to do with that information. My job is to keep this topic in the front of our minds, and maybe be an outlet for doubts and anxieties. Here's what I can do:
- Debate: We can have a respectful and intelligent discussion on the matter.
- Offer resources: I believe everyone should make informed decisions. And that requires having all the facts. I can suggest resources on where you can learn more.
- Questions: I may not have all the answers, but the point is to have problems where we can work towards a solution. Unfortunately, not everything's a Google search away, some things need to be thought long and hard about.
- Brainstorm solutions: Unsure in how to make a difference? Feel like we could never do enough? Talk to me. Don't bottle it up or dismiss it. Don't let fear freeze you in indecision. We need to hold each other accountable.
There's this book that I do suggest, it's called What's the Worst That can Happen? A Rational Response to the Climate Change Debate by Greg Craven. I like how he encouraged people to think for themselves on the issue. To research and check your sources, and make your own opinion in climate change and what to do about it. I think a lot of people are worried their rights will be taken away from them in effort to mitigate climate change, but I don't think it necessarily has to be that way if people got the chance to seriously think about where this world is heading and what they want to leave for their children. And here's your chance.
I prefer talking through messaging because I'd have more time to think about what I'm going to say.
Training & Qualifications
Mostly, I'm just a concerned citizen. I have:
- Spent a day last year researching the record temperature of February 2016
- Spent a day last year taking climate science quizzes on NASA's website (https://climate.nasa.gov/climate_resource_center/interactives/quizzes), and learning more all the while- there were 15 quizzes in all
- Read two graphic novels on climate change, Climate Changed: A Personal Journey through the Science by Philippe Squarzoni and The Cartoon Introduction to Climate Change by Yoram Bauman and Grady Klein.
- Started (but not finished) a course called UQx: Denial101x Making Sense of Climate Science Denial though EdX
Availability & Preferences
Not Tuesdays