[Ecodharma] Business as Usual acting as usual (article)

[Kokuu]

Dear all

It may come as no surprise that nearly 500 carbon capture and storage lobbyists are in attendance at the COP28 summit. Having lost the argument on whether fossil fuels are causing climate change or not, the fossil fuel lobby are now more focussed on promoting technologies that the claim will allow them (and us) to carry on as we are. This is, unsurprisingly, an argument that is welcomed by many who fear change.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/dec/08/at-least-475-carbon-capture-lobbyists-attending-cop28

Our Buddhist practice works to see reality just as it is. These lobbyists have the opposite aim.

Gassho
Kokuu
-sattoday/lah-

[Doshin]

Of course this comes as no surprise.

The goal of fossil fuel phase out is the most critical path. However capturing carbon technologies would seem to have a place as long as they are not used as an “excuse” to prevent a path to green energy.

A close friend and former colleague worked in the carbon capture world for a few years after he retired. He used that experience to achieve a secondary goal that we both work towards while in government. That goal was the restoration of bottomland hardwood forest wetlands in the lower Mississippi Valley. The concept was to accomplish two things at once. Capture carbon through the restoration of an ecosystem and restore habitat for migratory birds as well as other other species that inhabitat that ecosystem. So, in this instance a net good was achieved. I don’t know what the status of that vision is now. But it was joyful to see an ecosystem being put back together that had been greatly reduced in the 1960s and later to supply the growing demand for soybeans. A side note, I have difficulty eating soy products because I associate it with the destruction of a very important ecosystem to wildlife. My vegetarian friends have gotten a talk from me over a meal Interconnections abound

Doshin
Stlah

[Kokuu]

That goal was the restoration of bottomland hardwood forest wetlands in the lower Mississippi Valley. The concept was to accomplish two things at once. Capture carbon through the restoration of an ecosystem and restore habitat for migratory birds as well as other other species that inhabitat that ecosystem. So, in this instance a net good was achieved.

That is wonderful! Trees definitely seem to me to be the ultimate form of carbon capture and storage! I also agree that there is no issue with the more conventional ideas of CC&S being part of an overall solution but too often it is used as an excuse for maintaining current fossil fuel consumption.

Your point on soy products is well made.

Gassho
Kokuu

[Tairin]

We (humanity) continue to want our cake and eat it too.

Thank you for sharing this article Kokuu


Tairin
Sat today and lah

[Washin]

Thank you, Kokuu

Gassho
Washin
stlah