As most of us are still recovering from our turkey comas this week, world leaders will begin gathering in France for what climate experts are calling the last chance to save the world. Last chance?! Save the world?! That sounds so...severe. I suggest we collectively rub our bellies in our tryptophan stupor and think about it. It sounds severe because it is severe.
A fish rots from the head down. That’s why there’s so much pressure on world leaders. Experts say that we, the world’s fishes, will rot (burn, drown) on this planet if we keep on keepin’ on in the harmful way we have been. It’s been 39 years since the world experienced a year of cooler-than-average temperatures, and we’ve just experienced the hottest year on record globally. (Watch: Six Decades of Warming in 14 Seconds courtesy of NASA) The 21st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP21/CMP11) takes place in Paris, France from November 30th to December 11th. The expected outcome is a new global agreement on climate change. The mission is to force the world...all of us...to save ourselves. At the conference, it starts with the 127 heads of state. So, we, the fishes, have to turn the heads to see how important survival is to us as we swim upstream. It’s our own extraordinary opportunity to offer strong and visible support that might help our global leaders realize the outcome we need.
Comedian Jack Black shows one way we can speak up, hopefully loud enough for Paris to hear. You can watch his video here: https://youtu.be/WT8WLUpxumU
My #EarthToParis message comes from the riverbank, of course. I hope they’re listening to all of us who love cold water and clean fisheries.
So, what next? Save the date:
On December 7, Earth To Paris will bring together experts, advocates, and CEOs to discuss creative and impactful climate solutions to inspire bold, meaningful action for people and the planet. The full program will be broadcast live on http://www.earthtoparis.org/event in all six UN languages: English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian, and Chinese. I’m hoping the live event will offer suggestions on how we can help influence policy and affect helpful and real change.
