Wow, it's been a year since I last posted here. A lot has happened this year, both personally and in our society (more on personal updates another time). Unfortunately, the most important thing that could have happened has not, namely major policy changes on the part of the largest nations regarding climate change. On the one hand, the media coverage and general awareness of this issue has never been stronger, with articles regularly in major news outlets and many public demonstrations by citizens in multiple countries. On the other hand, this has not led to any really meaningful changes. By meaningful I consider things such as: major new sales taxes added to gas-guzzling vehicles, and fuel per se, restrictions on air travel, restrictions on meat consumption, etc. In other words, anything that would seriously reduce carbon emissions quickly. Carbon taxes, while arguably effective, are still sufficiently far removed from the individual consumer as to have had little effect on actual behavior.

Of course, some major national governments are still actively denying there is even a problem, although at least some have acknowledged the reality. Presumably at some point events will overtake denial to the point of ludicrousness - one would think we were there already but clearly not. Still, serious change in the behavior of individuals will require some equally serious changes in society functions - there's no way to have major reductions in fuel consumption if people still have to drive most places, work, shopping, social activities. And obviously automobile companies will not stop making large inefficient SUVs or similar vehicles for family use on their own initiative, in fact Ford has essentially stopped manufacturing cars in North America, citing that they can only make money or that there is only demand for SUVs. This is the opposite of what needs to happen. Only a very large tax, either directly on fuel or indirectly on fuel-inefficient vehicles, is likely to reverse this trend. Strangely, at the same time there are more hybrid and even fully electric cars on the market than ever, at least in terms of variety if not total sales. As in other areas of our society, there seems to be a great polarization between some people doing their best at an individual level to minimize their carbon footprint, and others who basically ignore the issue completely in their personal and family lives. Presumably, both groups will be affected equally once society-threatening climate change events start to happen. Sadly, this is very discouraging to those trying to mitigate climate change. If eocological destruction is already inevitable because we have waited to long, then why even bother, why deny oneself the comforts of air conditioning, vacations overseas, steak dinners, large roomy vehicles, and so on.

To some extent this depends on the science. No one really knows today whether we have passed crucial tipping points or not, whether complete societal breakdown is already inevitable or not, or what the time line might be (decades? centuries?). In the face of this uncertainty it does seem reasonable to continue taking personal actions to reduce carbon use, and making sure one's friends and neighbors are aware of this. Certainly there are far more hybrid cars on the road than when I purchased my first Prius. Much of Montreal's taxi fleet, and many buses are now hybrids. This suggests that there has been at least some movement in the right direction, albeit slow and modest. If total destruction of our environment is not yet inevitable, if there is still time to rescue an ecosystem in which humans will be able to survive sustainably, then it's time to redouble not reduce one's personal efforts. My wife has certainly taken this to heart, even more than I have. For me switching to a low meat diet is the hardest adjustment. Luckily I live in a city with good public transit, especially a metro system, so I can go many days without touching my car, and drives around town for shopping or entertainment are so short that often I only need to refill my (small) gas tank once a month. And I have stopped eating steak and burgers, going veggie in that regard. Chicken, eggs, fish, cheese still a significant part of my diet though. Small steps!