What’s Your Response to Climate Change?

More than a few people have complained about how much AJ covers the environment and climate change. Apparently, they don’t want their stoke besmirched by the tough issues that surround us, and I can appreciate that. You think I like running stories on ocean acidification or migrating ecosystems? Of course not. But the environment is where our adventures take place, and grappling with the stewardship of it is one of the most important and difficult things we do.

And that’s under the best of circumstances, which today are far from their best. Yesterday, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released a report that stopped just short of screaming “THE SKY IS FALLING.” In the starkest terms yet, the IPCC said that global warming is unequivocally here and caused by humans, it’s already kicking our ass, and it’s about to get a whole lot worse, soon.

“Continued emission of greenhouse gases will cause further warming and long-lasting changes in all components of the climate system, increasing the likelihood of severe, pervasive, and irreversible impacts for people and ecosystems,” the report declared.

This is an existential crisis, and a day doesn’t go by that I don’t wrestle with it, my responses ranging from frustration to hope to resignation, sadness, and occasional willful avoidance. I’m guessing that most of us, at least those who pay attention to the broader currents of the world, are in much the same boat – buffeted by conflict, uncertain what to do in the face of a problem that requires a global solution, and exhausted by thinking about it.

And it’s this response that I want to explore through the poll this week. Not so much trying to find a solution, but trying to understand how we cope with a macro crisis that seems to loom over the horizon yet in reality is already here. No, it’s not a fun topic, but avoiding it is exactly what’s contributed to this mess.

Select as many as you like, or add your own.

[polldaddy poll=8418573]

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WIN SMITH SUNGLASSES JUST BY VOTING


This week, one poll participant will receive a pair of Smith Optics Serpico sunglasses. We’ll pick the winner via random number generator (and announce it here) – all you have to do to enter is vote and leave a comment so we have your email to contact you. Must have a U.S. or Canadian address. Contest ends Sunday, November 9, at midnight PST.

Congratulations to Megan Davin, who wins the Smiths this week!

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