The greatest frustration in the ongoing dialogue about environmental deterioration is convincing society (especially government) that this is for real! A'normal' disaster, be it hurricane, earthquake, assassination or plane crash, is news. The media have journalists on the spot with complete TV coverage. Everyone can see each catastrophe first hand almost as soon as it occurs on the 6.00 o'clock broadcast.

The scientific community is warning us, over and over of disasters on the horizon from global warming. Emissions of greenhouse gases continue to increase. The CO2 content in our global environment is rising. Ocean temperatures move relentlessly upward as do water levels (even though at a glacial pace). But no-one is physically aware of impending doom. The actions needed now are of a lower priority than other impending changes in our lives such as TTC strikes or a drop in the economy, possibly tomorrow, or maybe the day after.

I am reminded of a comic dialogue of a few years back between a new air traveler and a stewardess. "Excuse me miss, but there's oil flowing down the wing". "Oh really? Coffee, tea or milk". The powers that be are expert at denying the inevitable. These range from the George Bush level down to the local media types who appear to be descendants of the original "Flatearth Society". Don't confuse me with the facts, my mind is made up. Sure we lost a chunk of ice in the arctic the size of New Brunswick. Will that affect the cost of my cup of coffee tomorrow morning?

Gradually politicians are becoming aware of the fact that there's a problem. They are awakening to the realization that voters are taking this seriously. "Maybe this could impact on the likelihood of my re-election next year. Maybe I should pay attention to these concerns".

And grass roots society is starting to have their voices heard. An article in the Saturday Globe and Mail, Holy orders: Give up carbon for Lent, (Zoe Cormier, Feb 16th. 2008) notes that "Instead of alcohol or chocolate, the Church of England in association with the Christian aid charity, Tearfund is hoping that its followers will give up another vice this year for Lent: carbon".

There is nothing new in the recommendations, but worth repeating nevertheless. Replacing incandescent light bulbs. Taking public transport. Adding insulation. The list could go on and on. Turn off unneeded lights. Turn the thermometer down a notch. Reduce the number of car trips to the mall. Walk or cycle to work if this is feasible. It is suggested that their "carbon fast guidelines could reduce their household carbon footprint by 50%." It would be an interesting project to read the electricity meter daily and see how much one could improve on readings over the 40 day period of Lent.

The seriousness of the current situation focuses on "The Amazon rain forest, {our} boreal forest, West Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets, Arctic summer ice, Indian and African monsoons, Atlantic ocean currents and El Nino/Southern Oscillation cycles." Arctic sea ice could disappear within 10 years. The Amazon rain forest and our own boreal forest could die within 50 years ….. the Indian monsoons could collapse within one year resulting in a famine with astronomical death tolls."

The frustration comes with the inaction on the part of the authorities (and of many of us as well!). Predictions are not reliable, but we as an insurance addicted society should at least examine the possibilities of potential disaster(s). There is much we could do to minimize the risks. The costs are relatively low as compared to coping with the various catastrophes. And in fact many of the actions we could take now would save us considerable money almost immediately let alone in the years ahead.

I wish the Anglicans luck and maybe the idea could catch on across the social structures of our communities. We would all benefit from their initiative.