In the blog post “B.C.’s zombie politicians must wake up to climate change danger”, the author Bill Henderson addresses the issue of politicians and their lack of action concerning climate change. He quotes Premier Gordon Campbell and forest minister Pat Bell, showing that they argue climate change requires immediate action, yet has done little about it in favour of the forestry and oil industries.
Using the precautionary principle in his defence, Henderson presents his solution: to cancel the Olympics to draw necessary attention to climate change as the highest of priorities. Throughout the article, Henderson presents evidence to back his concern, but both his reason and solutions to the problem are hasty and unsupported. Henderson’s reason behind his precautionary thinking is the “rising probability of human extinction”, saying how we would be “guilty of murder/manslaughter by clear-cutting forests” (Henderson 2009) due to the emission of greenhouse gases. Making a large claim like the extinction of humankind is not effective in making an argument without more evidence. His solutions are also rash. He states that Premier Campbell must cancel Olympics, but does not make it clear as to how cancelling the Olympics would achieve the result he anticipates. Henderson also suggests that “Minister Bell should declare an immediate moratorium on all logging in the province” (Henderson 2009). Of course the forestry industry contributes heavily to greenhouse gas emissions. However, Henderson should present more evidence to support his solution, considering it is an extreme action for Minister Bell to take.
Henderson proves in his blog that there is cause for concern, presenting the future consequences of climate change, and how evidently little the politicians are doing about it. However, for the significant actions he asks from the politicians, Henderson must present more evidence and sounder reason in his argument.
References
Henderson, B. (2009). B.C.’s zombie politicians must wake up to climate change danger. Straight.com, 15 October 2009. http://www.straight.com/article-264676/bcs-zombie-politicians-must-wake-climate-change-danger. Retrieved 20 October 2009.
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I don't think that cancelling the Olympics will make a huge impact on climate change. The Olympics is one of the few events that brings the world together for a common cause so it could be used as a demonstration of what should be done with climate change. Millions of people watch the Olympics, so instead of cancelling them, why not use them to promote taking action against climate change?
ReplyDeleteThe extinction of the human race seems like a rather extraordinary claim. I understand that climate change will have dire effects upon both the natural and human worlds, but humans are a very adaptable species and I doubt that a climatic shift could result in our utter destruction. But whether or not such an event could occur, the precautionary methods endorsed by Henderson seem rather inappropriate. Cancelling the Olympics and threatening an end of existence will only anger and frighten people, not inspire them to change.
ReplyDeleteThe Olympic Games are a huge event and billions of people from around the world watch it closely. It sets up a world audience for people like Henderson to voice their opinions and it is usually effective. For example the human rights violations in China and Tibet were brought to the world stage due to the many protests in China and other countries. As well people like Steven Spielberg, who was supposed to help with the opening ceremonies, boycotted the game in order to bring media attention to issues relating China and Darfur. Although “canceling” the Olympic games seems a little naïve and farfetched I believe Henderson is simply trying to make an impact on people and politicians to try to make some real progress with climate change action.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review Sharon,
ReplyDeletehope I'm wrong about the seriousness of the climate change threat but in over 50 op-eds on runaway or dangerous climate change I've provided links to the evidence that climate change is humanity threatening. Since I will be dead and gone and it will be your world and there is still a chance at necessary mitigation I suggest you google runaway-climate-change and spend a little time digging deeper.
And the Olympics themselves are not a significant source of emissions - but cancellation would send a signal about the seriousness of climate change at a crucial (Copenhagen) time and in our predicament people jetting here to party and spectate is just wrong.
Bill Gibsons, B.C.