Climate Connection: Watered-Down IPCC Summary
In the last month our newspaper and many other media sources have had articles on the recent synthesis from the sixth report of the United Nation’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Hundreds of scientists from 70 countries reviewed thousands of scientific papers to produce reports in 2021 and 2022 on the physical basis of global warming and trends, the risks and consequences, and near-term mitigation required by 2030. Each report has had a summary for policy makers in which political diplomats from 195 countries come to a consensus in a line-by-line review.
This review results in considerable watering down of the scientific conclusions in the longer reports because of the vested interests of various countries. In the negotiations about the summary released on March 20, major fossil fuel-producing countries, especially Saudi Arabia (but also the U.S., China, and India), pushed back on stating that fossil fuels were the main cause of global warming.
Switzerland and the United States objected to strong statements about rich countries needing to provide financial support to poor countries for a fossil fuel-free energy transition. Argentina and Brazil objected to the recommendation that a shift to plant-based diets over meat would lower greenhouse gas emissions. In the 2022 report, the summary for policy makers did not contain the scientific conclusion in an earlier draft that a major transformation of economic systems was necessary across the world to insure sustainable, equitable living necessities for all on our finite planet.
The watered-down conclusions of the summary for policy makers means that governments are mis-advised. Luckily, the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres is not muzzled by the consensus of 195 countries’ “political editors.”
He has been blunt in calling for an end to new fossil fuel exploration and infrastructure, for slashing 2/3 of carbon pollution by 2035, for rich countries to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040 instead of 2050, and much more. As we see in the Willow project, the U.S. government and our elected representatives are not following Guterres’ and the scientists’ warnings.
When governments are not guided by scientific consensus regarding the means and urgency of addressing climate change, we can anticipate worsening weather extremes, migration of half of earth’s population from vulnerable localities along coasts and in heat belts, decreasing food production, and disasters that will absorb all of our collective attention and resources.
These are reasons for Transition Sitka’s emphasis on strengthening local resilience with more local food production, a circular and self-sufficient economy, and prioritizing use of our clean energy for heating our homes and hot water with heat pumps. We cannot avoid the miseries ahead brought by still increasing atmospheric greenhouse gas pollution. But we can prepare for a future world with fewer species, less ocean and agricultural productivity, and less fossil fuel consumption.
--Kay Kreiss, Transition Sitka
Life Celebration
For Ron Heathman
A celebration of the life of former Sitkan Ron Heathman is planned 3 p.m. Saturday, April 8, at the Halibut Point Recreation Area main shelter.
Hot dogs, chips and soft drinks will be provided. Those attending are invited to take to take a side dish to share and a beverage.
Ron passed away July 23, 2022, at his home in Anatone, Washington, at the age of 67.
Blessing of Fleet,
Memorial April 16
The annual Blessing of the Fleet and Mariners Memorial will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, April 16, at the Crescent Harbor shelter.
The service includes the U.S. Coast Guard, music, prayers, blessing of boats and gear, bell-ringing in memory of loved ones, and flowers taken out to sea.
A mug-up with refreshments will follow at the Sitka Lutheran Church, co-sponsors of the event along with S.E. Alaska Women in Fisheries.
A list of fishermen and mariners who died since last year’s blessing will be published in the Friday, April 14, edition of the Sentinel.
For information call Mary Todd Andersen at 907-738-0969 or Bron Walton at 505-269-0906.
Open Gym Offered
At Blatchley School
The City and Borough of Sitka Parks and Recreation will hold open skate and open gym April 8 and 15 at Blatchley Middle School.
Family open roller-skating will be held in the multipurpose room 1-2:15 p.m. Family open gym in the main gym is set 1:30-3 p.m. followed by 35+ open basketball, 3-4:30 p.m.
Punch cards for all ages and family passes are at the Parks and Recreation office at BMS. For information, email recreation@cityofsitka.org or call 907-747-4031.
This Week in Girls on the Run
By Sitkans Against Family Violence
For the fifth week of Girls on the Run participants have been learning about empathy and that words matter. After talking about our emotions last week, we are shifting focus outwards to other people’s emotions. Empathy is defined as “putting ourselves in other people’s shoes and understanding their feelings.” Our teams practice each of the three steps for showing empathy for other people: see their star, put yourself in their shoes, and respond in a way that shows care. To demonstrate the power our words have, coaches squirted toothpaste out of a tube and teams discussed how the toothpaste is like our words – once we put them out into the world to hear or read, we can’t take them back. Teams related this week’s GOTR themes to the Southeast Traditional Tribal Values of “hold each other up,” and “speak with care.”
Throughout this season, GOTR will provide the Sitka community with updates from the program. We also hope to give mentors, parents, and guardians an opportunity to pass on skills from GOTR to the children in their lives! Here are some conversation starters for talking with kids about emotional health:
–Has there been a time in the past when you’ve been able to show empathy towards someone? Tell me about that. (Share your own experience.)
–How can we work together to show empathy to each other? To others?
–We’ve all said things we wish we could take back. Why do you think it’s important to think before we choose our words? (Share your own example of a time you’ve said something you wish you could take back.)
–How can we both make sure our words have a positive impact on others?
Girls on the Run is an empowerment-based program for girls in third- through fifth grade, currently in its 14th season at Keet Gooshi Heen Elementary School! GOTR is more than an after-school activity; it is a program designed to bring girls together with strength and resilience and prepare them for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living. Through dynamic, interactive lessons and running games, GOTR prepares girls for a final celebratory 5K Fun Run on May 13 while teaching life skills and unleashing confidence. Community members are welcome to join in the 5K or be cheerleaders along the course. Girls on the Run is brought to you in Sitka by the Pathways Coalition. Call 747-3493 for more information.
Head Start to Host
Open House Event
Wooch.een Tlingit Haida Head Start will host an open house for the upcoming school year 4-6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 13, at 110 College Drive on the SJ Campus.
Teachers and parents will be on hand to answer questions about the preschool program. Visit the classroom, try some hands-on activity and eat some healthy snacks.
Call Wooch.een at (907)747-8356 with any questions.
Nazarenes Plan
Easter Services
Easter Services at Sitka Church of the Nazarene, 305 Lake Street, are planned.
The annual Easter celebration starts with breakfast at 9:45 a.m. followed by worship at 11 a.m. All are invited to attend.
