Blog Action Day: COP15 and You

As a part of Blog Action Day 2009, bloggers around the world are being asked to think and write about climate change.

I often have to hold back a cringe when I hear discussion of climate change and other environmental issues. It's not that I don't try to do my part: I haven't owned a car in five years, I walk nearly everywhere I go, and I buy mostly locally-grown food. But I have trouble shaking the feeling that compared to the massive governmental and infrastructural decisions ostensibly made on my behalf, these meager steps do little more than help me feel smug. I have a lot of trouble reconciling the U.S. corporate sector's apparent embrace of environmental talking points with our conspicuous absence from the Kyoto Protocol.

This December, the United Nations will host a conference on climate change. Many outcomes and non-outcomes could result, but the goal is to establish a new climate change agreement to replace the Kyoto Protocol in 2012. Right now, there's something of a stand-off happening between richer and poorer countries, and many feel that the United States is giving the rest of the world the difficult choice between no agreement and an agreement that would be economically ruinous for the developing world.

To be clear, I'm not saying that individual buying and lifestyle choices don't impact climate change; they certainly do, but they're only one piece of the pie. Try to cut down on energy use and, if possible, take steps to make telecommuting a reality for your employees (cutting down on meat doesn't hurt either). But don't stop there. Use your refurbished computer to sign TckTckTck's "I Am Ready" pledge. Plug in your printer, fill it with recycled paper, and write a two-sided letter to your senator or representative. Learn about the environmental decisions facing your town and ride your bike to a city council meeting.

And if you must, buy an expensive chair made from old traffic lights.

Image: This map shows participation in the Kyoto Protocol. Dark green indicates countries that have signed and ratified the treaty; yellow: signed, but not yet ratified; grey: not yet decided; and red: no intention of ratifying. Source: Wikipedia, CC license