Last night, I got an email message from the climate change action group 350 that’s well-intentioned, but not very well thought out.
“There’s a global mobilization coming together for the weekend in the middle of the Copenhagen conference–Dec. 11-13. Our collective message? ‘The World Wants a Real Deal’ — people all over the planet are demanding a binding global climate agreement guided by the latest science and built upon principles of justice and equity. There will be big rallies on Saturday the 12th in many cities, and on Sunday the 13th communities of faith the world over will ring church bells, beat drums, blow horns — all 350 times.
Our main hope is that you will help organize a candlelight vigil at some iconic or strategic place near you on Friday or Saturday night, December 11th or 12th? Around the world people will gather to light lanterns or candles, in solemn solidarity with the citizens of those nations who will be first to face the challenges to their very survival.”
This 350 protest seems designed to acknowledge the religious sensibility that when groups of believers get together and burn candles together, the candle burning somehow accomplishes something, through some vaguely defined creation of thought energy or prayer or some such thing. The fact is, if we’re going to ask for policies “guided by the latest science”, that there’s no scientific evidence whatsoever that holding candlelight vigils accomplishes anything other than the burning of candles.
If I really believe that reducing carbon emissions in order to slow down climate change is something people all around the world should do, why would I encourage large groups of people around the world to get together in order to burn a whole lot of candles? As those candles are burning, they’re emitting carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. They’re making the problem worse.
What we need in our climate activism is less faith and a more logic. How about we start by not adding fuel to the problem?
I believe the point is to get people used to reading by candlelight. As Obama himself said, electrical rates must “necessarily skyrocket” (under Cap and Tax).
Get your solar panels now, friend . . .