After another heat dome sits over the Pacific Northwest, combined with the continuation of the abnormal heat waves throughout much of the U.S and western Europe, can anyone deny global heating has arrived full force?
These extremes are but a forerunner of what has yet to come because the U.S. and the rest of the countries on Earth have been unable to enact sufficient programs that address future runaway climate-based disasters. The emission of CO2, methane and nitric oxide gasses has passed the point of no return and will, within a couple of years, exceed the tipping point of Earth’s capacity to reverse climate heating.
It is good and fine to exchange renewable solar and wind energy for fossil fuel based energy. So far, however, renewable energy has largely added to, not substituted for, fossil fuel energy. Very few politicians or even technology-savvy people are willing to recognize the underlying problem — over-consumption of both energy and resources.
Yes, renewable energy may lower global gas emissions; but it can do so only if it does not simply add to overall energy consumption. What politician can advocate “degrowth” or a declining GNP? The emphases of our national dialogue must shift from consumption and growth to planning for life on a degraded Earth and for the social disasters created by a rapidly declining population.
Alvin W. Urquhart
Eugene
A Note From the Publisher
Dear Readers,
The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.
That’s because of you!
Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.
Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.
We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.
And, of course, we’ve continued to bring you the stories and features many of you depend on: investigations and local government reporting, arts and culture coverage, sudoku and crossword puzzles, Savage Love, and our extensive community events calendar. We feature award-winning stories by University of Oregon student reporters getting real world journalism experience. All free. In print and online.
None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.
As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.
Thank you for standing with us!
Publisher
Eugene Weekly
P.S. If you’d like to talk about supporting EW, I’d love to hear from you!
jody@eugeneweekly.com
(541) 484-0519
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