Environmentalist and Author Delivers Stern Warning

Photo Courtesy of Shawn Menard

By Assistant Editor JW OLIVER - Bill McKibben, prominent environmentalist and author of twelve books, including  “the first book on climate change geared to the general public,” spoke to a large crowd Friday at UMF’s Nordica Auditorium.
The lecture, entitled “The Most Important Number in the World: Building the People Powered Movement to Fight Global Warming,” was part of a “larger series… focused on activism,” according to Emily Baer, and was co-sponsored by UMF’s Sustainable Campus Coalition and Diversity Committee.
In her opening remarks, Baer, a UMF student and key organizer of the event, said the Diversity Committee wanted to bring in “someone who had made a life of activism.”
McKibben fits the bill. In addition to his books and contributions to periodicals, including a lengthy stint as a staff writer for the New Yorker, McKibben is the founder of Step it Up and a co-founder of 350.org, both organizations dedicated to the fight against global climate change.
McKibben’s message often veered toward the apocalyptic, though he was quick to temper the direst proclamations by outlining possible solutions.
For a man so adamant, as a speaker McKibben was soft-spoken. Despite his accomplishments, his humility was apparent, often manifested through his dry, self-deprecating humor. In order to illustrate a point about the melting of the polar ice cap, a situation McKibben claimed has evolved “from big problem to emergency” over “the last 18 months,” McKibben referred to the ubiquitous pictures of Earth as seen by the first space missions.
“The world doesn’t look like that anymore,” said the balding McKibben. “It’s as outdated as my high school yearbook pictures… there’s a lot less up top than there ever was.”
Throughout the evening, McKibben was flanked by a massive projection screen, used to show a brief video following the lecture. He joked about its presence, stating that his presentation would be a “virtual PowerPoint… I’ll talk, and the picture will appear in your head.”
Joking aside, McKibben is deadly serious about climate change. He gave several examples of the phenomenon’s impact. McKibben made reference to the recent fires in Australia and revealed that scientists are reluctant, anymore, to refer to the situation in Australia as a drought. “Drought implies it will come to an end,” McKibben said.
McKibben cited a 2007 trip to Bangladesh as a life-changing event. While visiting, McKibben contracted Dengue Fever. He recounted his experience in the hospital, seeking treatment amongst severe overcrowding.
Mosquito borne diseases, such as Dengue Fever and Malaria, are, according to many scientists, exacerbated by global warming.
McKibben was troubled by the event. “These people have done nothing,” he said. The country’s largely self-sustaining population has “zero carbon footprint,” according to McKibben.
“I’m a Methodist Sunday school teacher,” he added. “This defines immoral, to me. Enough said.”
McKibben’s summary of the performance of recent U.S. administrations was stark.  “[President Bill] Clinton talked a good game, but he didn’t do a damn thing,” he said. “George Bush operated under the principle that, if he closed his eyes, [climate change] would go away.”
McKibben has higher hopes for the Obama team. Though his endorsement was short of enthusiastic, he admitted the new President is “willing to listen.”
McKibben’s suggestions for activism are varied. Some are simple, such as turning off lights or appliances not in use.
“My daughter is a Harry Potter fan,” he said. “She calls me the Dark Lord because I’m always turning off the lights with such vigilance.”
“We won a prize for the most energy efficient house in Vermont,” he revealed – hardly an easily dismissed feat in a state known for its organic farms and generally conscious approach.
More complex ideas include a carbon cap that would force oil companies to bid for distribution rights.
“They’ll pay,” said McKibben, who suggested that the proceeds be divided among the American people, much as Alaskans receive returns on oil revenues.
“Don’t tell Sarah Palin what a socialist scheme this is,” McKibben warned, referring to Palin’s support for the Alaskan Natural Gas Pipeline.
McKibben’s focus, however, is on promoting the International Day of Climate Action, to take place on October 24, 2009. The event has been designed to attract the attention of world leaders before COP15 – the United Nations Climate Change Conference, taking place in December, which McKibben believes may be the “last plausible bite at the apple.”
McKibben has ties to Farmington – his brother, Tom, is a UMF alumnus. In an interview with the Flyer following his speech, McKibben addressed issues specific to the campus. Of conflict between residents and students regarding crosswalk traffic and the proposed solution of closing the narrow South Street, McKibben said, “an increasing amount of campuses are doing this.” He added it was not only an issue of emissions, but also one of personal health, pointing out that people would be forced to walk rather than “drive 200 yards to the dining hall.”
McKibben was hesitant to condemn Aramark, the international food service giant responsible for UMF dining. “From what I’ve heard,” he said, “the people from these companies have really started to learn to buy locally.”
He was quick to point out that continued improvement depended on students. “Marriott, one of Aramark’s competitors, got kicked out of five campuses in California,” he said – all because students insisted on locally purchased, responsibly grown food.
Near the end of the evening, McKibben appeared overwhelmed by his own, admittedly “depressing” agenda. He paused for a moment and bowed his head.
“We really need your help.”


Photo Courtesy of Shawn Menard