Climate change is one of those issues which held media attention for a time, and while very little has been resolved regarding its impact, it is now garnering less attention because public interest is fleeting on almost everything these days.
As a result, media tends to act much like a bunch of hummingbirds, flittering from one story to another in order to try to hold public attention.
In the case of climate change, the public has not just turned off interest in the situation, but has actually been left questioning the validity of the concern being shown.
The reasons the public have been left questioning the situation are varied.
To begin with, climate change was initially heralded as global warming.
In northern climes, the thought of warmer winters isn't exactly one that sounds particularly threatening, and some very cold weather soon leaves people laughing at the idea of global warming.
The terminology evolved to that of climate change, but by that time public interest had waned.
There is also the problem that climate change is not something anyone sees as an immediate threat. Generally the experts are talking about the real impact beginning to manifest itself more toward the middle of the century.
Yes, there are things happening now. They include a receding ice cap that could destroy polar bear populations; insect pressure in Canadian forests; and more severe weather, such as one-in-a-century storms hitting the Canadian Prairies, but the real threat seems something much more distant.
In my own case, something that may hit in 2050 is a little bit more difficult to focus on since I will need to hit 90 to be there to see it. Yes, there is concern for future generations, but the sharpness of the threat is still dulled.
In terms of climate change, there is also something of a feeling of helplessness for the individual.
When you read about governments being reluctant to take the big steps necessary to affect the factors leading to climate change, the impact an individual may make seems to be of little use.
Until the world leaders in countries such as the United States, China, India and other major nations go after major greenhouse gas emitting industries, change will not happen at a rate to change the trend. What we do on an individual basis, while important as a statement of concern through self-action, will not make up for coal-generated electric plants spewing dangerous chemicals into the atmosphere.
Businesses won't do it without a government push. The cost of reversing emissions is simply too high and will impact bottom lines too much to be carried out voluntarily by most.
The same can be said for most individuals too. We often do not make the wisest choices in terms of our environment unless pushed in that direction through tax rebates and forced environmental fees initiated by government.
Climate change is real, and until we all become more proactive, and that includes government, there is a feeling it is also inevitable. And that has the public often left trying to ignore the situation on some fanciful hope it will just go away, which of course it will not.
