Placate the Masses

 

I hate to be a 'downer' on the climate change agreement. With lots of world-wide attention, there was a real chance to actually make history and to at ameliorate possible climate change pace and impacts. But, the agreements from the summit are voluntary; the deadlines are way to long, and the money needed to address the issue is not mandatory. The words are nice in the agreement but they are straw men, hollow reeds.

The agreement makes no commitment to abandon fossil fuels. The time period for changes makes not sense. Do we have 30-50 years to meet targets, all of which are not mandated. If there is one thing that is certain, models underestimate change. Year after year since the first IPCC report, NEW factors have emerged that show an ever hastening climate disaster.

The summit and all of the nice talk appears to be more of a ruse to placate the masses and to lull them into thinking all will be okay---that it's all under control. It's not.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/william-bradley/global-climate-change-sum_b_8801996.html?utm_hp_ref=climate-change

"But those are targets, not requirements. And the national action plans brandished by all but a few of the 195 nations voting for the Paris accord add up, in the first round of estimates, to fall very short of the target. Indeed, temperatures would rise between 2.7 and 3.5 degrees Celsius under the actual national plans, between five and more than six degrees Fahrenheit. That result would be absolutely disastrous.
President Barack Obama hailed the Paris summit accord as grandly historic. But former NASA scientist James Hansen, a founding father of climate change awareness, declared the summit "a fraud," an event of "no action, just promises."
 
So the agreement, at the insistence of the Obama administration, includes a schedule of regular reviews, every five years, of national action plans, essentially pushing the nations to resubmit new and better plans based upon technological advances and increased political will.
And the Paris accord does not call for an actual phase-out of widespread fossil fuel use.
Instead of "greenhouse gas emissions neutrality" in the draft, which some interpreted to mean an end to emissions, the phrase "global peaking of greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible" was substituted. This change was made, not surprisingly, at the urgent insistence of Saudi Arabia and some other members of OPEC. The Saudi line is to keep burning oil and make up for it with carbon sinks such as new forest growth and techno-fixes down the line. Meanwhile, they are going to keep on pumping and selling."

Odd summer, 2015

While not technically over and with some unusually warm weather in the forecast for Maine, this was an odd summer from a weather perspective. Coming off of record snowfalls, spring was very dry in our corner of the state. It was also a very cool for the first half of the summer. There were a few hot days and it looks like summer may be going to happen in September, but it's still dry. Only had to mow the lawn four times. Probably one more by the end of the month, but ....

It was so dry in the spring that hay yields have been 1/3 to 1/2 of normal. We put in bee hives for the first time and ended up with six swarms, something uncommon for new hives. Had only three pairs of barn swallows and ended up with 14-26 after hatchlings. But they went away in early August-normally they would only now be heading out. Japanese beetles were way down from two years of garden devastating hordes. For the first time in ten years apples on the tree were scab free and edible.

When it did rain it came all at once, so in some areas the total looks good, but the effect was not. getting 2-3 inches in a storm and then nothing for 2 weeks may keep averages up, but when the lawn is brown 2-3 days later, it just shows that averages don't tell the truth.

It is clear that weather/climate patterns are changing. The Jet Stream is not behaving and while El Nino has been building, one can only hope we don't get the same snow levels as last winter. Overall, it was just an odd summer.

What do Ebola and Climate Change Have in Common?

 

No, climate change did not cause Ebola and probably has nothing to do with is dramatic spread. But what they do have in common is that few listened to the alarms. Ebola was first discovered in 1976. Silent Spring was published in 1962 and the environmental movement blossomed in the 60s and 70s. The problem is that very few listened to the warnings about Ebola or concerns for the environment or climate.

Both climate change and Ebola are devastating. Both had people who warned about their effects if ignored. And yet, the warning have been ignored and, even to this day, many still take neither seriously. Perhaps great change requires momentous events. People get so stuck in their ways, their routines, habits, comfort zones (no matter how uncomfortable they may be), that fear of change is greater than the fear of the unknown. And yet, these types of events, Ebola and climate change, are altering the course of human history. What is perhaps most feared, is what is happening the most-CHANGE. That horrible event that turns things upside down, alters the way people live, their work, social relationships, their future, is happening because people chose, consciously or unconsciously, to avoid the very notion that change was coming, caused, in fact, by the unwillingness to confront change.

It is said what is feared the most is what is most attracted. Fear is a powerful magnet. It is only by addressing issues that they are replaced by non-issues ... or new ones. Humanity's failure to address climate change and pandemic only serve to increase their threat. While there are often too many chicken little's, too many cries of "Wolf," it is necessary to pay some heed to those with credentials who warn of impending change, who have no monetary interest in the status quo.

Put away the fears, approach issues intelligently, learn the facts, and understand that nothing stays the same.

The Climate Monster Under The Bed

While the monster under the bed has been exposed with the help of the Climate Change Marches, will anything really change? The rhetoric is wonderful. As the President said, "No nation -- including ours -- is immune to climate change." But despite all of the speeches and talk of the need for action, it appears that very little will be accomplished.

Sure, executive orders can accomplish a few thins and enforcing rules and regulations could also help, but given that U.S. emissions actually rose this past year and global CO2 emissions set another record, the efficacy of these tools are clearly questionable.

Yes, in recent surveys Americans were found to be more aware of and concerned with climate change, but will people vote for the environment in the upcoming mid-term election? Polls would indicate no. And any real talk of new rules and laws are still putting action years out. Nations aren't even meeting on the topic until December in Lima and then do nothing until Paris in 2015. And even then, given past experience, any real action may not occur for many years after.

The monster in no longer under the bed. It is running rampant throughout the world. With so much money being spent on the effects of climate change, war, and the control of disease, what will be left to spend on ameliorating climate change impact. We cannot stop climate change. What we can do is prepare people and the world for a pollution free and energy sustainable future.

Follow the money to know why little will be done.

WILL ANYONE LISTEN?

A RECENT SURVEY OF AMERICANS SHOWED THAT OF 15 TOP CONCERNS, CLIMATE CHANGE WAS AT THE BOTTOM---Hmmm

Hi, everyone -- 

Today, we released the third National Climate Assessment report, by far the most comprehensive look ever at climate change impacts in the United States.

Based on four years of work by hundreds of experts from government, academia, corporations, and public-interest organizations, the Assessment confirms abundant data and examples that climate change isn't some distant threat -- it's affecting us now.

Not only are the planet and the nation warming on average, but a number of types of extreme weather events linked to climate change have become more frequent or intense in many regions, including heat waves, droughts, heavy downpours, floods, and some kinds of destructive storms.

The good news is that there are sensible steps that we can take to protect this country and the planet.

Those steps include, importantly, the three sets of actions making up the Climate Action Plan that President Obama announced last June: cutting carbon pollution in America; increasing preparedness for and resilience to the changes in climate that already are ongoing; and leading the international response to the climate change challenge.

We've made great progress in the year since his announcement -- but there's much more work to be done.

Watch this short video to learn more about the new report and see how climate change is affecting people across the United States today:

Explore the full report, and find out how you can help -- because every one of us has to do his or her part to meet the challenge of climate change.
Thank you,
John
Dr. John P. Holdren
Director, Office of Science and Technology Policy
The White House
http://www.whitehouse.gov/climate-change?utm_source=email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=email329-text2&utm_campaign=climate

The Trouble With Reports

The newly released UN IPCC has sounded a clear warning about climate change indicating that it is not just coming, it's here. But so what, who cares? Who's going to do anything? Has anyone changed their daily routine as a result of the report. Yeah, it's only just come out, but my god, people have been talking and warning about this stuff for decades, even centuries.

Will governments respond to the report? Well, they didn't to previous ones and, in fact, have managed to make matters even worse. Of course for those who have experienced the devastation of climate change, and there are millions, their plight surfaces briefly and quickly fade to nothingness. Sure, they may get some aid, but help seems to just flit from one disaster to another with little accomplishment in between.

It's almost as if Mother Nature is conducting guerrilla warfare-hit and run-leaving governments flummoxed as to what to do. Every time there's a climate conference little or no agreements are reached since the power of the oil/coal industries manage to use disasters to their financial advantage, even if they have to pay fines.

As the IPCC report says, "We're sitting ducks." Perhaps that's been the plan all along as it is quite obvious that 'reports' make little difference.

The Wheel Turns

Does life seem like deja vu? 

One would think that after thousands of years of history, humanity would at least begin to get it. Despite thousands of years of warnings by prophets and seers, one would think that humanity would pay some heed to the events that surround them. Despite the lessons from science: that if you deplete your resources species die; you can't breathe CO2 and methane; acid oceans = no fish; polluted soil = no food; extinction is not healthy ... people would pay some heed to the signs of the times.

While the world's economy has created a new wave of isolationism, there are those who can read the signs and who take advantage of the weakness. We know that if you don't stand up to bullies, they sense the fear and bully even more. The cost of dealing with the issue later is far greater than, as the cliche says, nipping it in the bud now. Or, do not put off until the 'morrow, what can be accomplished today.

We are not dealing with climate change and the price to do so later will be staggering. We are not dealing with Putin or Syria and the cost to do so later will be staggering. We are not dealing with our polluted soils and air and the cost to do so, if there is a later, will be staggering.

The Wheel Turns.

Summer 2013: A personal Look at Climate Change

It has been an interesting summer to observe climate change and its effects. We had a cold wet spring and still had to run heat into mid-June. It was impossible to plant a garden on the traditional Memorial Day weekend. Fortunately, we started plants in the house, but actually got a picking of beans before the plants could go out.

Barn swallows were very late in coming. In 2012 I had some 40+ hatchlings in the barn. This year, 8. Humming birds showed up very late and in fewer quantities. Then we had some record breaking heat. In 2012, by August it sounded like walking on snow going to the barn, the grass was quite brown. This summer, it seems like I'm mowing the lawn every other day. Not that we have had tons of rain, but it comes every few days. In 2012, our barn was stuffed with hay by the end of June ... good thing as it all dried up in the fields later. This year, the constant wetness made fields how to mow and dry but finally got some in the first of August. Still need round bales, but also need a stretch of dry weather.

After out heat wave, the summer has been quite cool. There have been 40-50 degree nights and highs in the 60s/70s more often than not.

Back to the garden, finally did get stuff planted. The weather has been kind to squash; peas got mostly burnt out; tomatoes have done well; but the beans have been under constant attack from hordes of Japanese Beetles. We spray a mix of water and Castille soap 3-5 times a day. It kills them, but does not keep them from coming back.

The extended forecast calls for temps in the 50's nights, 70s days. Not what I would call the traditional 'dog days' of summer. Hopefully this isn't a harbinger of an early, cold winter. Ouch for the heating budget.

So yeah, things are different and the climate has gotten very unpredictable. How about you?

Silence

Silence is often deafening. I'm reminded of the song from Simon and Garfunkel, Sounds of Silence.

"And in the naked light I saw Ten thousand people, maybe more People talking without speaking People hearing without listening  

People writing songs that voices never share and no one dared Disturb the sound of silence"

Read more: SIMON AND GARFUNKEL - SOUNDS OF SILENCE LYRICS

So much is going on in the world, yet so few talk about what's happening. While something very fundamental is changing, silence is the sound that's heard. Make a social media post about a failing economy, floods, droughts, solar anomalies, lakes at the North Pole, methane from a thawing Tundra, the danger of fluoride, natural cures, oil spills ... and if you're lucky, you might get a few 'likes' and maybe even a comment or two, usually from the same people who post similar stories. But make a post with a cute kitten, horse, an actor, or what to have for dinner, and the comments are minion. An inspirational quote that few will ever live by gets many thumbs up, but mention that soda is turning our kids into mush and few dare to 'disturb the sound of silence.'

Are people simply in denial? Do they fear change? Truth?

"And the people bowed and prayed To the neon God they made And the sign flashed out it's warning In the words that it was forming And the signs said, 'The words of the prophets Are written on the subway walls and tenement halls' And whispered in the sounds of silence"

 

Perhaps it's just one of those days beset by frustration. Perhaps it's just all the cloudy weather. Perhaps it's the toll taken by so many years of of trying to alert people that "Somethings happening here, what it is ain't exactly clear."

 

Perhaps I just need another cup of coffee.

Mayhem, Corruption, Destruction: A New Movie?

No, just the news. Remember the old prophecy: All that is hidden will be revealed?

A quick glance at the news would seem to indicate that prophecy is coming true.  From what's in your "food" to who's spying on who, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore. We have a 'do-nothing' Congress; our emails, web searches and phone calls are being tracked and stored; our food is not really and contains everything from pesticides to viruses to human genes and who knows what else (thanks Monsanto); there is record breaking climate mayhem that rarely gets reported; science is bringing us the future now with exciting discoveries and scary technology; everyone, especially politicians, thinks that lying is the best policy; news is getting out about existing cures for cancer and other diseases while at the same time all kinds of 'new' diseases are popping up; austerity doesn't work but we're doing it anyway; the economy, depending on the news source, is both great and disastrous at the same time (must be that quantum physics stuff); and we all know this and what do we do?

If you look at economic news we see interest rate fixing, gas price fixing, mortgage rate fixing and even chocolate price fixing. At the same time there are reports that economies are getting better and we, the world, are heading out of recession, and yet, when you look at the economic data, it's all a bunch of BS! The Middle East is a joke with Muslims cutting each others throats in the name of God. Looks like we're about ready to wash our soiled hands of it all and call it a day. Wonder where all that money will go? Banks aren't lending, consumers aren't buying, and business is not hiring. Oh, wait, yes, they are using temps so they don't have to pay benefits. And, the NYSE EURONEXT is going to take over setting interest rates-Libor-HUH? Bet that'll be an improvement.

The EPA has stopped investigating fracking; all the honeybees are dying (thanks again Monsanto); BP and bank fines amount to nothing and they are probably tax deductible; the West is burning, again; the drought is still a drought; flooding is happening where there's no drought; the SUN is acting odd and is not what we thought it was; planets in our solar system are doing odd things; and wildlife is in danger everywhere.

Again, we know these things, but what are we doing?

"Just nod if you can hear me."

THEY SPEAK WITH FORKED TONGUE

If you're old enough, you'll remember this phrase. Basically, it's the same as speaking from both sides of the mouth in order to spin lies. Take any major headline and from day to day, the contradictions are amazing.

One moment the American economy is improving, then they announce that the economy contracted. One day China's economy is on the upswing, then they announce a downturn. One day they say that the EU economic outlook is good, then they announce the highest ever unemployment rate. Do you think that those who wield economic influence are trying to paint a rosy economic outlook in the face of worsening economic conditions. One the data is revealed, the reality often contradicts the spin.

To a degree, the economic powers understand that perception is everything. Make people think all is well and the consumer will spend and make them more money. But, I can't help but wonder if people may be catching on to this game. Despite the best efforts of the rich, consumer confidence is down. Stories of the effects of austerity measures in Europe, and their devastating consequences, can no longer be sweetened up in the age of the internet.

The same is true with a host of issues, including climate change. For the longest time, the fight was over data which the average person couldn't verify or refute. But now, we all have seen the consequences of climate change. From droughts to rampaging storms; extreme heat to extreme cold, we have all experienced the fact that things are not in balance with Mother Nature. The 'spin doctors' can't hide the  lack of breathable air in China, the devastation of Sandy, or millions of dead fish on the beaches.

It is said that knowledge is power. Not true. It is the use of knowledge that brings power.

Don't let the bastards get you down!

 

I had a disheartening conversation with an acquaintance of mine a few days ago. Being well educated, she has followed the antics of the banks, the economic fiascoes, political idiocy in congress, the constant denial about climate change, Monsanto and the GMO conspiracy, and the general head in the sand affliction being experienced by so many.

She said, "I give up. I'm going to close my doors (I think she meant in her mind, not home) and just not listen anymore. There's nothing I can do anyway."

I told her that if she did that, then THEY win. They have beaten you into submission and that has been their plan all along. Like, "Your vote doesn't make a difference" as a tool to keep people from voting while they line up their faithful at the ballot boxes.

So, she may have just been having a bad day, but with all that is happening in the world, don't let the bastards get you down. THEIR hope is that as issues drag on and no actions are taken, people will forget about the problems and/or just give up in frustration, thereby, they keep control. This is not a time for indifference or complacency. I have heard others say that since nothing happened on 12/21/12, all of this Earth change must be a bunch of bunk. That is so far from the truth and so much is changing that if you are aware, it makes your head spin. But you see, THEY wanted people to believe that changes were going to be a ONE DAY event. And, since nothing happened, there are obviously no problems. That was their spin many have fallen prey to this lie.

Keep watching, stay alert, stay tuned, that big lady has not even begun to sing ... yet.

Live broadcast of 24 Hours of Reality

"You can't have your pudding, if you don't..."

... eat your meat." Love Pink Floyd. Thank the gods we no longer have to listen to the verbal onslaughts of political commercials. But here's the thing, will anything change? Is there a new mandate. Let's see, Obama is President, the House is controlled by the GOP, and the Senate is in the hands of the Democrats. Sounds familiar.



There is one mandate, the TEA PARTY seems to have been bagged and thrown into Boston Harbor. However, clearly, all of the problems that existed on November 5th exist on November 7th. World economies are a mess. The environment is a boiling cauldron. Major disasters will continue to demand ever dwindling public resources. The droughts, floods, severe storms are not going away. Tectonic plates are rumbling below, and cosmic radiation is raining down from above. The rich are getting richer and the poor are poorer.

If there is to be a new mandate, it must come from you, the people. The problem is that we want the pudding, but don't want to eat the meat.

-We want a cleaner environment, but we want cheap gas.
-We want safe products, but we want cheap products.
-We want jobs, but we want less government and fewer public employees.
-We want to be protected from bad business practices and toxic products, but we want fewer regulations.
-We want services, but don't want to pay for them.
-We want to bring our troops home, but we don't have any real understanding why we are even bothering with places like Afghanistan.
-We want quality education for our kids, but we fire our teachers.
-We want to be protected, but we lay off our police and firemen.
-We want to protect the environment, but we want our beach front property and build in areas prone to disaster.

The list goes on and on. We want the pudding of life but we are unwilling to change our lives so that our actions benefit all and harm none. If we want a new mandate, it will be up to you to send the White House and Congress a clear message When we, as a nation, have resolve, we accomplish great things. From WWI, WWII, to the space race, technology development and solving problems, when we stand united, we are unstoppable. But, when we falter, when we are divided, we fail ourselves and the world.

We are out of time. If we do not unite for a common purpose to basically save our place on this planet: "A nation divided shall perish."

HOW CAN THIS BE?

How is it possible that climate change did not become a major topic in the presidential debate? 

With droughts and floods threatening the world's food supply; the death of the oceans from acidification; the; the 6th great extinction in progress due largely to human destruction of the environment; hundreds of birds falling from the skies and fish washing up on our shores; lakes turning toxic and into death chambers for fish and animals; diseases resulting from air pollution that add to temperature rise; the shifting of the Jet Stream and Pacific Westerlies; the polar meltdown; just to name a few, how can this not be the topic of the day?

Over the next few years, if we last that long, climate change will be the defining topic regarding national security. It will require massive investments to aid climate refugees; massive expenditures to save or even relocate major cities; could result in wars over things like water and agricultural lands; will and has required massive public resources to help those who have suffered from droughts, floods, and sever weather.

THIS IS A MAJOR POLITICAL FAIL.

Our politicians have failed to help save humanity from the current extinction trends. We are out of time and will reap what we have sown. The best we can hope for, as recommended in several major studies, is to plan for coping with effects. But, if our leaders won't talk about the issue, perhaps they have thrown the sheep to the wolves. Why are they silent? Do they know something that we don't? Are they afraid of mass panic?

A POST ON CLIMATE CHANGE YOU NEED TO READ

http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2012/10/14/1009121/science-of-global-warming-impacts-guide/

"In this post, I will summarize what the recent scientific literature says are the key impacts we face in the coming decades if we stay anywhere near our current emissions path. These include:

• Staggeringly high temperature rise, especially over land — some 10°F over much of the United States
• Permanent Dust Bowl conditions over the U.S. Southwest and many other regions around the globe that are heavily populated and/or heavily farmed.
• Sea level rise of some 1 foot by 2050, then 4 to 6 feet (or more) by 2100, rising some 6 to 12 inches (or more) each decade thereafter
• Massive species loss on land and sea — perhaps 50% or more of all biodiversity.
• Unexpected impacts — the fearsome “unknown unknowns”
• Much more extreme weather
• Food insecurity — the increasing difficulty of feeding 7 billion, then 8 billion, and then 9 billion people in a world with an ever-worsening climate.
• Myriad direct health impacts"

A fact filled report that should make you scared and spur you to action. This is not a drill!

The Henry Waxman and Edward Markey Report

How much time do you really think we have?

http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2012/09/25/907371/markeywaxman-report-carbon-pollution-creating-a-cocktail-of-heat-and-extreme-weather/

Extreme temperatures

• July was the hottest month ever recorded in the continental U.S.  Some areas were 8 degrees warmer than average, with the average temperature in the lower 48 states at 77.6 degrees Fahrenheit, 3.3 degrees above the 20^th century average.
• Spring 2012 saw the warmest march, third-warmest April and second-warmest May in history, and was approximately 5.2 degrees Fahrenheit above average overall.
• Through late June 2011, daily record highs were outnumbering daily record lows by 9-to-1.

Drought

• As of September, 64 percent of the continental U.S. is experiencing drought, with August and September 2012 comparable to the worst months of the 1930s Dust Bowl.
• By the beginning of August, more than half the counties in the U.S. had been designated disaster zones because of drought.
• As of August, 51 percent of corn and 38 percent of soybeans grown in the U.S. were rated as poor or very poor by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Some states’ corn fared worse – Indiana had 70 percent of its corn rated as poor or very poor, and Missouri had 84 percent.

Wildfires

• This fire season 8.6 million acres – roughly the size of Connecticut and New Jersey combined – have burned in the U.S., with fires still burning in parts of the West.
• Wildfires in Colorado have killed six people, destroyed 600 homes and caused about $500 million in property damage.
• There has been nearly a four-fold increase in large wildfires in the West in recent decades, with fires burning longer and more intensely and wildfire seasons lasting longer.

Storms

• Tropical Storm Debby caused Florida to have its wettest June on record. The storm killed at least seven people and also damaged more than 7,500 homes and businesses.
• In July, the “derecho” storm system killed at least 23 people and left more than 3.7 million people without power.
• In August, Hurricane Isaac caused storm surges of up to 15 feet in some places and contributed to Louisiana and Mississippi experiencing their second-wettest August on record and to Florida experiencing its wettest summer on record.

Extreme water levels and water temperatures

• In July, water in the Great Lakes reached temperatures of 60 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit – more than 10 degrees warmer than the same time last year.
• In August, water temperatures of up to 97 degrees and low water levels caused tens of thousands of fish to die in Midwestern lakes and rivers.
• Low water levels in the Mississippi watershed have caused some barge companies to reduce their loads by 25 percent and have caused harbor closures in Tennessee, Missouri, Arkansas and Mississippi.

May9: 2012 Warmest Year SO FAR, Magnetic Storm Watch

May3: Yellowstone, Climate, Solar/Planetary Update

GLOBAL MOVEMENT TO SOLVE CLIMATE CRISIS

http://www.350.org/ 350.org is building a global grassroots movement to solve the climate crisis. Our online campaigns, grassroots organizing, and mass public actions are led from the bottom up by thousands of volunteer organizers in over 188 countries. 350 means climate safety. To preserve our planet, scientists tell us we must reduce the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere from its current level of 392 parts per million to below 350 ppm. But 350 is more than a number—it's a symbol of where we need to head as a planet. 350.org works hard to organize in a new way—everywhere at once, using online tools to facilitate strategic offline action. We want to be a laboratory for the best ways to strengthen the climate movement and catalyze transformation around the world. We operate at a large scale to take on the world's greatest challenge. In October of 2009 we coordinated 5200 simultaneous rallies and demonstrations in 181 countries, what CNN called the 'most widespread day of political action in the planet's history.' On 10/10/10, we organized the "Global Work Party" -- a day of climate solutions projects, from solar panel installations to community garden plantings--and changed communities from the bottom up with over 7000 events in 188 countries. In 2011, we mobilized people power in every corner of the planet. In September, we organized "Moving Planet" -- a massive day of action to move beyond fossil fuels. We also helped lead the fight to stop the Keystone XL tar sands oil pipeline -- a relentless campaign that ended in improbably victory. In 2012, with the help of millions of people, we'll create a wave a hard-hitting climate activism all over the world that can lead to real, lasting, large-scale change. We think we can turn the tide on the climate crisis--but only if we work together. If an international grassroots movement holds our leaders accountable to realities of science and principles of justice, we can realize the solutions that will ensure a better future for all.