FROLITICKS

Satirical commentary on Canadian and American current political issues

Dec 23

Things in 2017 That I’d Rather Forget About

by bcurry

As 2017 comes to an end, I look forward with great trepidation and apprehension about what will happen in the New Year. The world appears to be worst off than it was before.  The harsh consequences of climate change appeared regularly while politicians debate whether or not humans are partly responsible for its continued acceleration.  The administration of the world’s largest contributor has buried its head in the sand, preferring to sacrifice the environment on the business alter of multinational corporations.  So sad, so sad, and so dangerous!

The United States and Russia have begun another power struggle, particularly in the Middle East. However, Russia’s President Putin has conveniently cozied up to President Trump by pulling the wool over the latter’s eyes. What a joke! Putin will win another election with any legitimate opposition being silenced, imprisoned or mysteriously murdered!  Meanwhile, the American President continues to fluctuate his support for NATO whenever it suits his mood.  Trump has even managed to piss off Turkey’s regime — a major NATO ally in the Middle East — by proclaiming that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel. Any chance for peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians has being stalled for some time to come and violence in the region will continue next year.

North Korea is now a nuclear power, representing a continuing threat to that region. President Trump began a spitting contest with North Korea’s dictator Kim Jong-un, threatening to eradicate North Korea and its people from the face of the earth. In the meantime, Trump’s Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, continues to reinsure our allies that a diplomatic solution is still being sought. With further intercontinental missile launchings by North Korea, the United Nations once again imposed additional trade sanctions on that country — none of which have had much impact up to now. Meanwhile, North Koreans continue to starve and are deprived of many essentials.

Volumes of stories about sexual harassment or assault by American and Canadian celebrities surfaced in the main media and on social media. It all began with allegations by numerous women against renowned Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein. All of a sudden, many other women were encouraged to bring forward their own complaints of sexual harassment against other well known celebrities. Women began to use the hashtag #MeToo on Twitter if they can relate to the disgusting stories of sexual assault, launching a full blown movement in the U.S., Canada and other countries. Indeed, while the result of full disclosure and support is encouraging, the extent to which sexual harassment and assault was disclosed is certainly discouraging and a blight on men everywhere.  Sexual harassment has no place in today’s workplaces, and should never be covered up by employers, no matter who the culprit is.

These are a few of the things that I’d rather forget about this past year, the least of which is the inauguration of another misogynist Donald J. Trump as the American President.  This past year has been a disaster for the American people and many U.S. allies, including Canada. His America-first policies in respect to trade, foreign policy and the environment have created a great deal on unnecessary uncertainty and instability.  As a member of the international community, I do not foresee any great future improvement in these areas of concern.  I can only hope that the American people will wake up to what is happening and exercise their democratic rights to reverse these destructive trends.

 Have a happy New Year everyone, and good luck. You’ll need it!

Cimate Change Climate Change Donald Trump US

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Nov 10

U.S. Withdrawal From International Climate Change Initiatives Equals Stupidity and Arrogance

by bcurry

A climate report based on work conducted by scientists in 13 U.S. federal agencies, known as the Climate Science Special Report, finds it is “extremely likely” that more than half of the rise in temperatures over the past four decades has been caused by human activity.  Moreover, the same scientists have warned that President Trump’s decision to withdraw the U.S. from the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement could make it difficult, if not impossible, for the world to stay on track to reach an internationally agreed-upon goal for limiting dangerous global warming.  The U.S. is now the only country which is not part of the agreement.

Now, let’s review the facts as presented. The U.S. faces temperature increases of 2.5 degrees Fahrenheit over the next few decades even under significantly reduced future emissions. In addition, the record-setting temperatures of recent years will become relatively common in the near future.  An increase in extreme weather patterns has emerged in recent years, as evidenced by record-breaking hurricanes, droughts, flooding, tornados, snow storms and other weather disasters. Climate change represents the greatest risk to human kind, especially in the most vulnerable communities where people are suffering from poverty, water scarcity, food shortages, inadequate housing or other crises.

Climate change denial and downplaying the impact of greenhouse-gas emissions on the climate is nothing less than stupid and arrogant. The American repeal of domestic actions resulting in halting the decline in U.S. emissions will likely make it more difficult and costly to meet the Paris agreement temperature goal of holding warming well below 2°C, and limiting it to 1.5°C.  Indeed, we may have already reached the point of no return.  Without American involvement and support — representing 40% of the world’s wealth — there is a real danger of other countries pulling out of the agreement.  Climate policy experts note that U.S. emissions cuts were set to make up a major part — more than a fifth — of the reductions envisioned under the Paris accord between now and 2030.

What makes the situation even more crazy is that numerous U.S. states, individual cities and major American corporations have banded together in a move to stabilize U.S. emissions, no matter what the Trump administration does on the federal level. It can only be hoped that the Trump administration comes to its senses and gets off its high horse.  Otherwise, every indication is that the future climate will look even bleaker than it already does.  Everyone is affected, and no one will be spared the consequences.

Cimate Change Climate Change Donald Trump Uncategorized US

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Sep 7

Hurricanes, Droughts and Forest Fires Attest to Issues Regarding Climate Change

by bcurry

First there was Hurricane Harvey, and now there is Hurricane Irma — the worst in recorded history. Forest fires now cover nine U.S. states and have ravished the Canadian province of British Columbia. Around the world, annual temperatures have consistently increased, leaving havoc, rising waters and scorched earth in their wake.  Yet, here we have a President of the world’s most powerful country arguing that climate change is not an issue!  Some people argue about economics, but the recovery from damages caused by Hurricane Harvey in the U.S. is already estimated to cost over 180 Billion dollars (U.S.). The damages from forest fires and to crops are estimated to be in the billions of dollars.

For the human race to sit back and not do anything to deal with climate change is ludicrous to say the least. Sticking one’s head in the proverbial sand and ignoring the socioeconomic impact and scientific evidence related to climate change doesn’t make any sense!  What we need is leadership, both national and international.  Simply coping with the consequences is no longer a viable alternative, no matter how much leaders brag about their response to these calamities.  The fact is that people parish and people loose everything.

The U.S. consumes forty percent of the earth’s resources. It has a responsibility to do so in an environmental friendly and responsible way.  Without American proactive and aggressive actions in dealing with climate change, international initiatives may be meaningless.  It’s time for President Trump and Congress to recognize this reality.  Policies need to be changed now.  It’s taken decades to arrive at this point, and it will probably take years to tackle the issues pertaining to climate change.  Our climate supersedes the economy.  Mankind cannot believe that matters surrounding the earth’s climate are secondary in nature.  The state of our planet is first and foremost the most important consideration that we should have.  Let’s hold our leaders accountable.

Cimate Change Climate Change Donald Trump Leadership Uncategorized US

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Jun 9

Summer’s Here — But So Is Climate Change

by bcurry

Yep, summer is finally here.  But so are the continuing bizarre, often severe, weather patterns. There is all that drought in the west, tornadoes in the mid-west and bone drenching storms in the east.  Records are being broken everywhere.  And the wind.  I’ve never seen so much wind almost on a daily basis.

While all this is going on, our fearless G-7 leaders were meeting in Germany.  Among the issues discussed was that of climate change and carbon emissions.  Low and behold, they announced an agreement to become carbonless by the end of the century.  In the meantime, let’s try to reduce carbon emissions by 2050.  All probably too little, too late!  At least according to the often ignored so-called experts.

At my age, I won’t probably be around by then.  However, I’m happy that our leaders are finally recognizing that climate change does exist, humans contribute to its existence, and it is here to stay.  All we can do now is take the necessary measures to hopefully mitigate its full impact.  The health and survival of humanity depends on it.  Every sector of our daily lives is affected by weather patterns — including agriculture, travel, forestry, manufacturing, energy production, etc., etc.

Climate change is the number one issue that our grandchildren will have to face.  It’s up to my generation – the so-called boomers – and Generations X and Y to get the ball rolling.  Yes, there may be some sacrifices that we will have to make.  However, the potential consequences of doing nothing or too little are horrific.  Unfortunately, this issue will not be the number one priority of candidates in coming federal elections in Canada and the States.  Once again, getting elected is more important then preserving the planet.

Climate Change

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May 19

Climate Change Is No Laughing Matter

by bcurry

Who are we kidding! It’s time that we stop denying the current and future potential impacts of climate change, and get on with figuring out how best to adapt to it. Furthermore, we can argue until we’re blue in the face about the primary causes — man-made or natural. The fact of the matter is that climate change is here to stay and has major implications.

There are few areas where the climate doesn’t have a major impact. Various elements of our economies and daily lives depend heavily on stable climates, including agriculture, tourism, communications and transportation. We’ve seen what extreme weather events can do to our everyday lives. Numerous major coastal cities are most at risk of rising sea levels as a result of polar melt, especially of a large section of the West Antarctica ice sheet. Although there has not been a big increase in the number of hurricanes, warming ocean trends are intensifying the strength of the storms. Severe droughts from Australia to the American south are negatively affecting major agricultural crops, and influencing the growing number and severity of forest and brush fires. Warming trends in the northern hemisphere will lead to movement of certain insect populations further north, and potentially introduce more diseases such as the West Nile virus and lyme disease while affecting local ecologies.

Are we well prepared to deal with the impact of climate change? Clearly the answer is a resounding “no”. Our aging and neglected infrastructures are crumbling even faster under the weight of severe climate events. Resources needed in the event of weather-related emergencies are hardly adequate to minimize the negative impacts on communities and regions. New technologies will have to be introduced and resourced to help cope with such emergencies.

We will have to pay a lot more attention as to where we are planning and building communities, be they near oceans or wilderness habitats. We have recently seen the dire risks of flooding, fires, landslides, etc. on numerous North American communities. Despite the obvious facts, governments continue to ignore such major and unreasonable risks by allowing such development to occur.

All throughout history, man has had to adapt to his environment. At this point in history, there is the evident need for serious and timely action. The time for words and debates has long passed. Denying the inevitable is no longer a choice. Indeed, climate change is no longer a laughing matter.

Climate Change

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May 6

After the Past Year, We’re Only Now Going to Seriously Talk About Climate Change!

by bcurry

Well, now that there have been enough serious accidents at the corner, let’s put up some traffic lights. So goes the continuing story of the human race in its often slow reaction to extreme events. The same can be said to our response to recent extreme weather events around the world, and especially in North America. Indeed, a recent survey reported on by Postmedia News indicated that of those Americans surveyed, 58 percent believe “global warming is affecting weather in the United States”. 85 percent of respondents claimed they experienced extreme weather during the last year. Even some Republicans surveyed now want action on climate change, although many continue to deny that it’s a scientific fact.

Scientists and non-scientists at least now fully agree that emerging weather patterns are proving to be consistent with climate-change predictions. So what’s the hang-up? Surely, it’s time for American and Canadian politicians to get really earnest about tackling what is the most important environmental and number one issue of our times and that of our children. Come on folks, climate affects everything societal, economic and political!!!

While we pay lip service to clean forms of energy and green technologies, we still continue to spew all kinds of crap into our air. In 2009, the Canadian government launched a plan to spend $1 billion over a five year period on clean energy research and demonstration projects, with an emphasis on reducing carbon dioxide emissions. At the same time, according to Climate Action Network Canada, the Federal Government yearly continues to give billions of dollars in tax breaks to the companies producing oil and gas. Analysis shows a total of $1.4 billion per year in federal subsidies, $840 million of which are special tax breaks, with a disproportionate share going to dirty fuels such as the Alberta Tar Sands. It is estimated that the oil and gas industry alone accounts for about 20% of all Canadian greenhouse gas emissions. Meanwhile, in the U.S., half of its electricity generation is still provided by coal-burning plants. As well, as indicated by various government reports, the American oil industry receives tax breaks averaging about $4 billion a year. There appears to be a contradiction in both approaches being taken here!

I’m no expert on climate change, and neither are the vast majority of politicians. However, the science speaks for itself, as well as our own everyday weather observations. It would seem that an increasing majority of citizens-voters believe that governments and industry need to do something sooner than later. We owe it to ourselves and future generations to get this one right.

Canada Climate Change US

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