Climate Accountability and Truth - Part 1

Did you know that 2022 was the fifth warmest year in history? On top of that, the past 9 years have been the warmest since modern record keeping began. What happens when the earth warms? The oceans warm, causing more moisture in the atmosphere, more extreme weather events (Florida, California, Pakistan…to name a few), fires due to drought ridden areas (Argentina had over 1,000 fires) and Europe witnessing fires as more common place year over year.

There's no doubt that we need to do something about this problem and there is no shortage of money and resources being thrown towards it in 2023 and beyond. Look no further than the Inflation Reduction Act passed in the U.S. - $369 billion to help the effort. Some examples include support for energy efficiency, heat pumps, solar panels…and tax credits for new projects from electric vehicles to green energy (new wind farms, hydrogen projects, etc.). If you're interested in reading more about this and other topics, Mackenzie Investments does a great job summarizing their 2023 Environmental Outlook:

https://www.mackenzieinvestments.com/en/investments/by-strategy/sustainable-investing

In order to create change there must be resources and new technologies to help combat the effects of climate change as a result of our way of life. This masks our behaviour and helps reduce the impact. What is often overlooked is how our behavior will need to change in the future. Some examples of this type of much needed positive behavior change are listed below:

• Canadian government banning single use plastics.
• Continued food group education and positive promotion
• More plant-based alternatives to meat
• More options for mass transit instead of private vehicles
• Working from home (although many are being called back to work)

Some key products and initiatives helping to reduce the impact of our everyday activities:

• Reusable water bottles
• Smart thermostats
• Heat pumps creating better efficiency
• Renewable power
• Electric vehicles
• Sustainability as inclusion of innovation and products

We have made some progress yet there is more to be done…everything takes time and shifting behaviour will also take time and political alignment in the spirit of positive change - like that will ever happen? With such a daunting task at hand, we must continue to make small improvements instead of throwing in the towel. We're asking you to take a look at the way you live and see what changes you can make to your daily life as a consumer and participant.

Next week we touch more on the concept of adversity becoming opportunity with strategies, outcomes and the products/technologies being used with success and how you can invest in these areas. Part of the values versus value discussion with a dash of "we are all in this together" introspection.

Our attention is drawn to the human reality and behaviour of anything in life we see clearly yet fail to acknowledge a need to change our behaviour or beliefs as a first step towards accommodating this clarity resulting in action for better outcomes.

Simply, when tough love calls, find alignment with purpose, set aside personal agendas and act selflessly.

Our quote this week is one we've used in the past and a personal favourite from the Dalai Lama:

"If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito."