Vancouver, January 4, 2012. Yes, climate change is a serious issue and we should continue to talk about it, according to leading scientists and bloggers.

Some climate change supporters suggest that rather than focusing on the real issues of climate change and mitigation, the conversation should be concealed 'inside a debate focused on innovation, energy security, and economic competitiveness'.

Ignoring the realities of the situation will never lead to meaningful change of the required magnitude.

The study concludes by drawing parallels to the Second World War (WW II), when some politicians suggested that rather than facing Germany's Hitler head-on through war, political posturing and declarations of peace would suffice.

In BC, the provincial government appears to be retreating from climate change programs in favour of other economic initiatives that target jobs in the primary-resource exploitation sector.

Yet, as the above link points out, by ignoring the obvious foundational role that our ecosystems and environment play in everyday lives, we are risking catastrophic planetary impacts that will be beyond human control.

Such concerns remain disturbingly peripheral to mainstream considerations, however, and this is in part related to human psychological behaviour. These have been examined by John Cook, award-winning founder of the website Skeptical Science, who was recently hosted by PICS.

A recording of his presentation is available online. Other interesting work includes a widely distributed article on how to discuss climate change with your uncle during the holidays.

Whether the analogy with WW II holds up to scrutiny, the underlying message is that there has never been a more important moment for decision-makers to take decisive action on climate change. 

ISIS, Sauder School of Business, UBC Authors: Neil Thomson, Calyn Shaw, Neil Salmond, Kristina Welch. Editors: James Tansey, Tom Pedersen, Jessica Worsley PICS CLIMATE NEWS SCAN 10 JANUARY 2012