Dear Editor,
Gratitude. Our effervescent Buddhist meditation teacher at the Okotoks Public Library reminds us attendees of this daily ritual. As 2023 draws to a close and I’m walking atop a hill overlooking the town, under a clear, unusually warm, starry night, I agree there is so much for which to be thankful.
Today, absolutely, but I also wonder what in 20 years, at the end of 2043, might we look back upon and appreciate. One can imagine being…
Grateful… that world leaders, both political and religious, found agreement on the urgency of climate change action on behalf of all people and animals, and all future generations. The 2023 COP28 conference in Dubai was the first to formally state that the world must “transition away from fossil fuels.”
Grateful… the world achieved its ‘Netzero by 2050’ goal early by several years, whilst not devastating the economies and, just as important if not more so, the ecologies of nations and provinces. Yes, we overshot the 1.5°C Paris Agreement target but we managed to keep overall global warming to under 2°C. Still, severe weather is an ongoing risk.
Grateful… that federal and provincial leaders worked hard to find common ground, for the common good, to realize their respective goals, rather than vilifying each other and consequently diminishing our democracy.
Grateful… for our provincial governments who finally accepted the science and physics of fossil fuel-accelerated climate change (it’s nothing personal and cares not about borders!) and incentivized municipalities and individuals to ‘Think Globally, Act Locally’. Canadians rallied to the cry of our youth who demanded a ‘war-time’ effort to save their futures whilst balancing civil liberties and penalizing polluters.
Grateful… that ordinary Canadians now benefit from a much more direct voice in local, provincial and national governance via proportional representation at each election and Citizen’s Assemblies between them. PR is spreading across the globe and the result is more collaboration rather than bloody conflicts.
Grateful… that global citizens take responsibility for their everyday actions to conserve water and energy by reducing wasteful habits and demanding more quality over quantity (e.g. smaller and efficient Netzero homes; safe, reliable and convenient public transportation powered by renewable/Netzero energy).
Grateful indeed. We averted so much human and animal suffering by believing in the power of human imagination and innovation.
Alberta can and should be a major player in all forms of energy production and utilization. That, however, does not mean being the ‘last barrel standing’ is an ethical or sustainable goal. The energy transition now underway is creating much change and resultant stress, but also incredible opportunities for those up for a challenge.
Finally, in response to the Dec. 6 letter about ‘Green Projects’, my favourite environmental cartoon comes to mind. The scene is a climate summit years ago and one skeptical delegate says to another attendee… “What if it’s all a big hoax and we create a better world for nothing!”
Okotoks, now having joined the Netzero Communities Accelerator (NCA) Program, is indeed on the right path.
Gordon Petersen
Okotoks
