This graph shows the full record of monthly mean carbon dioxide measured at Mauna Loa Observatory, Hawaii. The carbon dioxide data on Mauna Loa constitute the longest record of direct measurements of CO2 in the atmosphere. They were started by C. David Keeling of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in March of 1958 at the NOAA Weather Station on Mauna Loa volcano. NOAA started its own CO2 measurements in May of 1974, and they have run in parallel with those made by Scripps since. (Image credit: NOAA Global Monitoring Laboratory)

On Dec. 22, the CO2 level reached a new high of 425.70 parts per million (ppm). In December, 2019, the average C02 level was 410.50 ppm.

Five days earlier, on Dec. 17, some of the latest climate news included Malaysia experiencing its hottest December night in history, Zimbabwe having its hottest December day in the country’s history, there was exceptional heat waves all over Central Africa, 2024 being one of the wettest years in Dutch history, Italy’s northern region continues to be hit with extreme flooding, the Canary Islands remain under maximum alert due to extreme winds, ongoing flooding in five southern provinces of Thailand affected over 737,000 households, Bosnia’s largest lake went dry due to a major drought and the country is set to reach its hottest year on record in 2024, and Kenya is experiencing its worst drought in 40 years.

The growing number of extreme weather events in every corner of the world is a constant reminder that everyone on this planet has a personal and collective stake in acknowledging and addressing climate change. And yet, there are many political, business and cultural leaders in our country who not only want to deny the climate reality which directly impacts millions of people but are doing whatever they can do diminish if not destroy the ideal of addressing the climate emergency on behalf of the common good. 

Throughout the book Moral Ground: Ethical Action For A Planet In Peril, a group of writers talk about the need to embrace our collective responsibility and come together in meeting and responding to the growing challenges that climate change will bring to our environment, public health and every other facet of our society. 

Thich Nhat Hanh advocates that people need to wake up and find their “collective responsibility” and that it is imperative to encourage a change in everyone’s “collective consciousness” in order that we live with a greater sense of compassion and loving-kindness.  

Robin W. Kimmerer argues for the “moral covenant of reciprocity” where we have a mutual responsibility to care for each other and anyone or anything that sustains us.

Katie McShane wrote, “It is through its connections with our sentiments that the world becomes a place where we feel at home, a place that we can come to love, and where we feel a sense of belonging. These are goods that aren’t obviously quantifiable in economic terms, but they’re a crucial part of what makes human lives go well.”

When we look around the country at this moment in time, it’s very clear that our elected and appointed leaders are fueling the fires of division and fear in order to divert our attention from effectively addressing not only climate change but racism, public education, homelessness, civil rights, economic inequality and a variety of other issues which severely impact everyone; especially our underprivileged and vulnerable populations. 

Whether it’s in Washington D.C., in Saint Paul at our state capitol or right here in Duluth, there is this growing wave of false narratives being promoted which is only going to undermine our opportunities and abilities to find our common bonds and build critical connections with each other. We hear that people on Social Security should stop receiving benefits, that all immigrants are criminals and rapists, that the LGBTQ community is a threat to the American way of life, and that poor and homeless people are lazy. 

On Jan. 20, we will be watching a new president being inaugurated who will use his power to pull us apart from each other. He will make every attempt to diminish us, divide us and destroy any efforts to promote the common good in our country.

Also, on Jan. 20, 6-8pm, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1710 Superior Street, Duluth, the Loaves and Fishes community will host “Coming Together for the Common Good.” This gathering is to celebrate everyone who is helping to create a more resilient, humane and equitable world. People are invited to share reflections, poems and music. If you would like more information, drop me an email at risson1954@gmail.com. 

It is through embracing and celebrating the common good in Duluth and this country that we can become more compassionate, connected, collaborative and creative, and hopefully build a healthier and sustainable world for everyone.