Thread by @jvipondmd

A short thread on the hypocrisy of hypocrisy climate shaming. 1/

Earlier this weekend I put out a call for help in finding accommodation in Glasgow for the upcoming climate summit that I am chaperoning my activist daughter at. Accommodations are tight and was hoping to find a spot (I think we're set, or close). 2/

https://twitter.com/jvipondmd/status/1447347407465762817?s=20

This (not surprisingly) set off the alarms of those that feel that climate activists shouldn't travel to try and mitigate the climate crisis. Here's Premier @jkenney's office weighing in 3/

https://twitter.com/BrockWHarrison/status/1447667972441444352?s=20

Aside from the irony of the Premier's office stating this when he was recently in Europe on a vacation (?essential travel), and that his governance is what put AB into such a dangerous COVID situation, I want to touch on the hypocrisy element. 4/ cbc.ca/news/canada/ca…

Is travelling to a climate conference essential travel or discretionary? Essential travel isn't defined by the feds. But as frightened as I am by what COVID is doing to our province, I'm infinitely more afraid of what it is doing to our planet. 5/

I've dedicated my life to changing this. As president of @CAPE_ACME, as co-chair of the @ClimateHubYYC, and as the father of this girl, I feel that being there will make a difference. 6/ narcity.com/calgary/climat…. 5/

Past prez @courtghoward made the trip annually and was a key proponent of both the #poweringpastcoal alliance and moving things forward on the Health Care and Climate through CODA. I can only hope to be as productive at COP26. 7/ codachange.org/actions-for-he…

Can it all be done via Zoom? No, unfortunately. There are elements of Sadie's journey that can't be accomplished except in person, and some of mine as well. I do plenty of online presentations around the country, but this one, in my mind, won't work. csrt.member365.com/public/event/d… 8/

The funny thing is, I agonized over this decision, like I do over every carbon-intensive decision. Discussed with friends. contemplated it at 3 am. I can pretty much guarantee the haters never do this on any of the trips or purchases that they make. 9/

But they hypocrisy argument is old and tired. I learned very early in climate advocacy that while individual choices are important, systemic change was the only way to win. Systemic change is much harder than buying solar panels: it takes meetings, relationships, advocacy. 10/

so I do as much of the individual stuff that I can: solar panels on house and garage, electric car, minimizing flights for vacations, biking everywhere. But sometimes you have to burn some carbon to save some carbon. 11/ sparksustainability.com/sparkblog/we-c…

If the haters r right, the best way for me to engage on climate is to move to a cave, use candles for light, and throw away my iphone. I think, in order to make society better, we need to work within society and its structures to make systemic change.12/ cbc.ca/news/canada/ca…

Finally, the covid risk. UK is not good right now, but arguably no worse than AB. Is there risk? Yes. We'll minimize the risk by wearing a respirator at all times (#COVIDisAirborne), being vaxxed x 2 frequent rapid covid testing, and physical distancing where possible 13/

But of course the risk won't be zero. But Sadie and I will be willing to take that risk, because if we fail on the climate crisis, the consequences to our lives, and the planet, are for sure coming down the path for us. 14/

So judge away Alberta! I'm open about my travels, my intent, and my own struggles with my fossil fuel use in our society. I'll continue to be honest. Sometimes I'll get it wrong. But at least I'm trying. fin/

orionmagazine.org/article/a-mora…