Here is what Paula Poundstone said about global warming in a letter to a fan:
Ninety-seven percent of actively publishing climate scientists believe that climate change is real, and that it is caused by human activity. The effects of climate change will be catastrophic. Trump insists that there is no such thing as climate change. He says, “It’s just weather.” A Trump administration would shut down the E.P.A., and not allow the use of the phrase “climate change.”
Sir, in our lifetime, you and I may only experience flooding, heat, environmentally driven refugee crises, additional pandemics, and maybe some food shortages, if the world doesn’t focus on this problem, but the younger generation will be devastated within their lifetimes. Are you okay with that? Should we not encourage people to use their votes to elect people who will work to save the Earth? I have to. Maybe you don’t feel that you have to, but I have to.
Our economy, based squarely on oil, is a danger to our economy, our health and our homeplace. The transition to safety and stability involves a deep structural change in the economy itself, so that fossil fuels are not the major profit center, and — if possible — major corporations do not have a choke-hold on supply and profits that allows them to buy judges and politicians and skew the economy & the government to their selfish ends. Tall order; but the alternative is catastrophic.
I appreciate you and your commitment to making empathy central to constant public discourse as our mutual mentor George Lakoff taught us. As always, you've given us great tools and reasons why to use these tools. Isn't it also a good (and I would say a necessary) thing to preface the use of these tools with a reaffirmation that we are committed to the duty to care for each other's freedom? We need to use these tools because we care about ourselves AND others. I've been encouraging local candidates to use a care sandwich as a tip of the hat to the truth sandwich. For example,
If I were a candidate, this is what I would say in a speech:
Short Version
“Who's here because you care for something or someone important? (Acknowledge the response.) Exactly. I care about you too. We can't be free unless we care for each other. You've all seen what’s happening with our weather, (with it) becoming increasingly dangerous and destructive. We have to do whatever it takes to stabilize our climate, not just because it will be “good for the economy,” but because we live here! We need to keep our climate in that “Goldilocks” zone: not to hot, not too cold!
We all care for ourselves and for our children. This might be the biggest challenge we've ever faced, and we have to face it head on, but not only CAN we do this: we're ALREADY doing it, and there are big, concrete things we can do right now to accelerate that progress. We need to keep the pressure on, and to do that we need your votes and your commitment to promote our mutual duty to care for each other's freedom!”
Here is what Paula Poundstone said about global warming in a letter to a fan:
Ninety-seven percent of actively publishing climate scientists believe that climate change is real, and that it is caused by human activity. The effects of climate change will be catastrophic. Trump insists that there is no such thing as climate change. He says, “It’s just weather.” A Trump administration would shut down the E.P.A., and not allow the use of the phrase “climate change.”
Sir, in our lifetime, you and I may only experience flooding, heat, environmentally driven refugee crises, additional pandemics, and maybe some food shortages, if the world doesn’t focus on this problem, but the younger generation will be devastated within their lifetimes. Are you okay with that? Should we not encourage people to use their votes to elect people who will work to save the Earth? I have to. Maybe you don’t feel that you have to, but I have to.
Our economy, based squarely on oil, is a danger to our economy, our health and our homeplace. The transition to safety and stability involves a deep structural change in the economy itself, so that fossil fuels are not the major profit center, and — if possible — major corporations do not have a choke-hold on supply and profits that allows them to buy judges and politicians and skew the economy & the government to their selfish ends. Tall order; but the alternative is catastrophic.
Solid message. There are a LOT of solutions that align with this message. Check out Project Drawdown.
Thanks! Will do!
I appreciate you and your commitment to making empathy central to constant public discourse as our mutual mentor George Lakoff taught us. As always, you've given us great tools and reasons why to use these tools. Isn't it also a good (and I would say a necessary) thing to preface the use of these tools with a reaffirmation that we are committed to the duty to care for each other's freedom? We need to use these tools because we care about ourselves AND others. I've been encouraging local candidates to use a care sandwich as a tip of the hat to the truth sandwich. For example,
If I were a candidate, this is what I would say in a speech:
Short Version
“Who's here because you care for something or someone important? (Acknowledge the response.) Exactly. I care about you too. We can't be free unless we care for each other. You've all seen what’s happening with our weather, (with it) becoming increasingly dangerous and destructive. We have to do whatever it takes to stabilize our climate, not just because it will be “good for the economy,” but because we live here! We need to keep our climate in that “Goldilocks” zone: not to hot, not too cold!
We all care for ourselves and for our children. This might be the biggest challenge we've ever faced, and we have to face it head on, but not only CAN we do this: we're ALREADY doing it, and there are big, concrete things we can do right now to accelerate that progress. We need to keep the pressure on, and to do that we need your votes and your commitment to promote our mutual duty to care for each other's freedom!”
Love it. Thank you