Friday, October 07, 2011

For Europeans - Poverty and Climate Change Greatest Threats to Mankind

Europeans are awash in economic disaster yet they see the greatest threats their world faces as poverty and climate change.

The Eurobarometer poll (pdf) found that the majority of the public in the European Union consider global warming to be one of the world's most serious problems, with one-fifth saying it is the single most serious problem.

Overall, respondents said climate change was the second most serious issue facing the world, after poverty.

Connie Hedegaard, European climate commissioner, said: "This is encouraging news. The survey shows that the citizens of Europe can see that economic challenges are not the only ones we face. A clear majority of Europeans expect their politicians and business leaders to address the serious climate challenge now."

She said it was "striking" that the public were even more concerned about climate change than in the run-up to the landmark Copenhagen summit on climate change in late 2009.

Yet here in the emerging petro-state formerly known as Canada, politicians of all stripes have managed to lull our population into what now is a virtual climate change coma.   Public awareness of climate change is crucial to any meaningful action - and they know it, the lot of them.   No matter what it means to today's Canadian young people and the generations that will follow them, it's not good politics to stand on the issue and so they don't.   Liberal, NDP are hardly better than the Tories.   They may have lost their legislative powers but even Harper can't rob them of their voices yet they're mute.

5 comments:

LMA said...

Well put, mostly our leaders are in a coma when it comes to climate change, but McGuinty's Green Energy Act is still in effect, and there is also the possibility that Mulcair who has spoken out against the Tar Sands will win NDP leadership. Times are changing, but in Canada so very slowly.

Anyong said...

What is even more repulsive are politicans like Mitt Romney declaring "God created America to lead the world"...there isn't an inkling of what is essential for humanity to continue only this dragg for Jesus to ascend and set the world straight. America is ripe for a fasciest to ascend the throne in America while it will be Europe or even China which comes to the fore. What is nonsensical are our very own politicans who don't see it as you say MOS. All purpetrated in the name of religion.

LMA said...

Could be that people are turning to religion and civil disobedience because they are being overwhelmed by reality. The U.S., particularly Texas, has been hit hard with climate change this year and there is a lot of fear and anger out there. Won't do much good however to follow Perry's advice and pray for rain.

Anonymous said...

LMA...there is no such thing as GOD!

LMA said...

Anon, being an agnostic, I decline to comment. However, IMO praying for rain while Texas is burning is a convenient way of denying any human responsibility for climate change rather than doing something about it.