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Action needed
Action is needed, based on the science of climate change and the science of policy making.
- science-based decision making
- accept that decision making is often flawed
- accept that decision making on climate change has been poor in all groups
- adopt procedures to scrutinise decisions and remove errors
- shared decision making (SDM) so that all parts of society are involved
- emergency (not routine) action
- e.g. a linear pathway to Net Zero 2030 for the UK
- explain that current affluent lifestyles are unsustainable, and will end one way or another
- explain the promises made in the Paris Agreement and the choices that the UK has
- anticipate shock and anger
- be part of the solution rather than part of the problem
- reduce fossil fuel use as fast as possible
- reduce fossil fuel use very rapidly, including a massive programme of insulation, ending leisure aviation, much reduced vehicle mileage, and restructuring of the food supply
- a rapidly increasing carbon tax.
Action is needed, based on the essential background climate information and the science of decision making (see carbonindependent.org/184.html).
Good decision making is needed, from all parts of society
- correct the current widespread errors in decision making
- science-based decision making, i.e. adopt the principles of scientific rigor in decision making
- accept that decision making is often flawed due to numerous cognitive biases
- accept that decision making on climate change has been poor in all groups
- adopt procedures to scrutinise decisions and remove errors
- people should be able and willing to justify their decisions
- shared decision making (SDM) so that all parts of society are involved
Particular groups have particular responsibilities:
- decision makers in government should be open to correction
- "advisers advise and politicians decide" is an inadequate approach
- objections and protesters should be taken seriously and answered adequately
- there should be transparency over whether protesters are treated as trouble-makers or whistle blowers
- media should ensure adequate referencing to original sources
- advocacy groups should campaign in line with the science, and be prepared to challenge others who are not
- people objecting to or protesting about government decisions should make clear where they feel the government has erred.
Use a checklist to ensure conformity with the science and the Paris Agreement, including:
- the degree of urgency of action: emergency (not routine) action
- a limit to global warming e.g. 1.5°C or 1.6°C
- staying within the appropriate carbon budget
- equity between nations
- including all CO2 emissions
- double digit percentage annual emission cuts: a pathway to e.g. Net Zero 2030
- credibly compliant policies
- avoiding false solutions
Disseminate accurate information
- be prepared to explain that the current affluent lifestyle of many
- is unsustainable
- is at the expense of misery and premature death of some of the poorest people in the world
- will end one way or another, either in a controlled way of our own volition or through breakdown of societies
- is contrary to the promises made in the Paris Agreement
- anticipate shock and anger
Take personal action
- reduce fossil fuel use as fast as possible
Advocate collective action across society
- reduce fossil fuel use very rapidly, including a massive programme of insulation, ending leisure aviation, much reduced vehicle mileage, and restructuring of the food supply.
- a rapidly increasing carbon tax.
Challenge current actions and policies that are inconsistent with the science
Current examples are- the UK Government's Net Zero 2050 target
- the campaign of Friends of the Earth to insist that the UK Government has a strategy that will deliver its Net Zero 2050 target (even though they know it is the wrong target)
- a comment by a UK Government minister in 2025 about expanding Heathrow Airpost was met by campaigns to oppose airport expansion rather than a statement that the UK should be closing most airports within a month..
First published: 13 Feb 2025