FN:S climate meeting in Madrid ended on Lucia Day, although work remains with the protocol. Disagreement worries the Swedish environmental professor Johan Rockström, Nowadays Head of Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research. The United States leaves the Paris Agreement, that is, the small glimmer of light about the right direction. The US president does not want to admit that the US is responsible for any climate damage. So it is with that insight!
The disagreement on the fate of the climate is confirmed at the same time in this year's Christmas sales, which will break new records, as always. It is good for employment, states both politicians and businesses, in other words, that Christmas shopping is increasing. It undeniably gives commerce and business what it needs to pay wages and expand. No one should mind. Qualified guesses from the Trade Research Institute, HUI, points towards the Christmas trade will have a turnover of approx 80 billions, thus 80 000 million SEK. Of this is round 30 billion kroner for Christmas presents. The total investment via the state budget on education and research in Sweden is lower, that 75 billions.
Our response to the UN:s and the scientific world's sharp warnings we meet with increased consumption. How does that equation add up?
There are many factors that affect the climate. In recent years, a majority of researchers agree that we humans, through our consumption, are one of the biggest causes and explanations. We use natural resources and consume as if we had several planets to draw sustenance from. We are among the worst here in Sweden. I am one of them.
But is it as serious as is said and written about in the media. Sixteen-year-old Greta Thunberg pleads for us to listen to the scientists. Many of us agree with her. And listening. There aren't that many of us who really do something radical about the problem. The solution does not consist in us deafening the conscience with source sorting. I alone annually burn up the least 25 liters of petrol when I transport rubbish to recycling. Plus the diesel that the garbage truck burns. If all households behave as I do, that means approximately 120 million liters per year. Then I might wonder if it matters if I stop doing it. No, it means nothing. But about everyone 4,7 million households would do so, then there will be results. And what do I do then?? And, I can actually carpool with the neighbor. Or actually even more important; I reduce my consumption! It is from it that my garbage and climate impact come already in the factory and then at my home. Consumption also counts as what does not pass through the body!
But is this reasoning something that should be aired on Långåfisket's website? Långå Fiskevårdsomrøringen Föreningen probably has more land- and aquatic tasks to engage in. And, that too. Last week, the Grundsjö project's board had its last meeting for this year, Among other things, about our continued responsibility next year to save Grundsjörödingen for the future. The need for electricity in Christmas shopping, industry and the Christmas decorations and other energy needs we must have an understanding of. At the same time, we should not forget that it is one of the explanations for the Grundsjörödingen being affected.
Although the comparison is lame, I would like to mention that our meeting took place at the same time as the UN:s climate meeting in Madrid. And thus we also had the 'climate issue'’ on the table!
With available expertise in our meeting, it was concluded that 'it looks dark’ for our cold-water dependent precious fish in the future. It is something to reflect on in a fishery conservation association! And for every angler! In any case, we are closer to two million. With responsibility and importance. We should understand and act. For once, everyone has the opportunity to decide!
Helgi Jonsson