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The newly released Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report says that it’s “now or never” if the world is to stave off climate disaster.
After a report like this, we cannot go on with “business-as-usual.” Any policy that doesn’t include phasing out fossil fuels is not a real climate plan. “Net zero” pledges are not going to get the job done, we need real zero.
“Net zero emissions” does not mean “zero emissions.” In many cases, it means the exact opposite and is instead used as a polluter-driven greenwashing scheme.
Instead of relying on unproven future technologies, we demand climate plans that radically reduce emissions to zero.
We must put pressure on our government officials to read the IPCC report and pledge commitment to real zero emissions. Going on with the “business-as-usual” is both unethical and unsustainable, so let’s make sure that those we entrusted to govern keep our collective future as their primary driver.
Colin Vettier
Portland