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Rev. Rev. Richard Killmer and Rev. Jayme Babczak
On Nov. 10 at the UN Climate Summit in Glasgow, Scotland (which Rich Killmer attended), six major automakers including Ford, Mercedes-Benz, General Motors and Volvo, as well as 30 national governments pledged to work toward phasing out sales of new gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles by 2040 worldwide, and by 2035 in “leading markets.” The goal of the nations of the world for ending the climate crisis is to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and to keep the global temperature to a 1.5-degree Centigrade increase since the late 19th century.
This announcement was another indication that the days of the internal-combustion engine may be over. Major car companies recently began investing in electric vehicles. Electric cars continue to set new global sales records every year. Tens of billions of dollarsto retool factories and make electric vehicles.
Transport is a global industry that produces approximately one-fifth of humanity’sCarbon dioxide emissions are responsible for climate change. Only half of these emissions are from cars and trucks. In recent years, governments around the world — including China, the United States and the European Union — have begun heavily subsidizing electric vehicles.
Even though they did not sign the agreement, some of the largest automakers are still investing heavily in electric vehicles technology. Volkswagen outlined plansTo build six battery factories, it would cost tens of trillions of dollars.
There is a difference in waiting and preparing. Waiting is the role played by the observer, who sits intently waiting for something. Waiting is passive. We are not making it happen.
Preparing is action. Preparing is the act of taking steps to make something happen. Our family will not eat if we don’t prepare the meal. A successful athlete prepares by practicing, staying fit, and participating in games.
It is all about agency. Waiting and preparing are two different things. How much do we actually work towards bringing about the change we want? Waiting for the right moment will not bring us closer to our desired outcome. The person who is preparing for a goal does a lot more to make it happen than the one who waits for it to happen. We can either wait for a new playground or advocate for it.
It is obvious that the climate crisis demands that all of us prepare for a new reality. No one can wait. We have the power to choose preparation over waiting. This is true for presidents and governors, legislators, administrators, and citizens alike.
We need to support measures that enable vehicle owners choose electric powered vehicles. This will bring us closer to our goals. On Sept. 22, Gov. Whitmer announced two new programs to help Michiganders get the electric cars that the automobile companies promised. They promised that they would not make any gas-powered vehicles in the future, and in certain markets, after 2040.
The governor is committed the Lake Michigan EV Circuit. It is an electric vehicle route with charging options that runs along Lake Michigan and key tourism areas. It creates a new road trip for EV owners in America. It will connect key coastal and rural communities, as well as state and national parks, and tourist attractions to a larger EV network by providing charging stations wherever chargers are required.
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, (EGLE) will grant grants to pay for the installation of the charging stations. “Michigan put all of the world on wheels. Now we are making those wheels more sustainable, less polluting, and part of the push to decarbonize Michigan’s economy,” said Liesl Clark, EGLE Director. “Building muscle onto Michigan’s EV charging infrastructure, is a cornerstone to moving away climate pollution.”
The Michigan Revolution for Electrification of Vehicles Academy/Academies, (MiREV), is the second program. It will prepare people for work in the EV sector. MiREV will work closely with employers to ensure Michigan has the right programs and resources to help our grandchildren avoid major climate disasters.
Many articles have asked if COP26 was successful in Glasgow. The bottom line here is that COP26 won’t be seen as a success for the U.S. unless cities, states, and towns implement plans to achieve net zero greenhouse gases emissions and keep the global temperature below 1.5 degrees Centigrade. Taking steps to encourage the use of EV’s should happen now.
— Rev. Richard Killmer is a former Presbyterian minister who lives in East Grand Rapids. Rev. Jayme Babczak serves as Associate Pastor at the First Parish Church (United Church of Christ), Yarmouth.
