Me on climate change again!
Despite the fact that we'd like the idea of renewables replacing fossil fuels, still 85%+ of energy comes from coal, oil and gas.
Even if world leaders kept their pledge to restrict greenhouse emissions by reducing fossil fuel usage, do you know about the alternative, i.e. biofuels? Growing crops to provide fuel! Don't get me started....
This is a big problem - that all the alternatives are based on the notion of constant growth. This is totally unsustainable and will lead to total collapse.
If, a few decades ago, we had embraced de-growth (as many of us did individually) there might well have been a chance to turn this around.
I've been discussing what is likely to happen with friends on Facebook. This is a generally agreed list of at least some of the things we can look forward to:
[LIST=1]
5 isn't a bad idea. 12 is happening already, leading to 10 and 11. With all the crop failures around the world, 9 is already happening and can only get worse.
Interesting times ahead.
The first 4 could easily occur anyway with a rogue, intense solar flare that affects satellites and, hence, access to the internet!
What you envisage is the worst case scenario...the world leaders are too selfish (for anything that might upset their lifestyle) and savvy to let us all get that far.
Which world leaders do you think will save us?
Which world leaders do you think will save us?
What I am getting at is that they won't want to live in a world such as you envisaged, so it is unlikely to get to that stage.
http://www.cnbc.com/2017/01/25/the-super-rich-are-preparing-for-the-end-of-the-world.html
https://www.ft.com/content/afe67b5c-fea0-11e6-8d8e-a5e3738f9ae4?mhq5j=e2
http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/01/30/doomsday-prep-for-the-super-rich
All pie-in-the-sky. But it doesn't matter if their plans are realistic or not, just so long as they think they can survive.
But, of course, the thing that has allowed it to get too far is that 'leaders' don't really believe it will ever get that bad. I know you don't. either. I'd love to see some evidence!
http://www.cnbc.com/2017/01/25/the-super-rich-are-preparing-for-the-end-of-the-world.html
https://www.ft.com/content/afe67b5c-fea0-11e6-8d8e-a5e3738f9ae4?mhq5j=e2
http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/01/30/doomsday-prep-for-the-super-rich
All pie-in-the-sky. But it doesn't matter if their plans are realistic or not, just so long as they think they can survive.
But, of course, the thing that has allowed it to get too far is that 'leaders' don't really believe it will ever get that bad. I know you don't. either. I'd love to see some evidence!
I guess it all comes down to faith in the world not descending into a chaotic, barbaric and anarchic hell. I could say the same to you, i.e. I'd love to see some evidence of this. Do you see telltale signs of society coming apart at the seams? I see that as pure speculation.
Control, law and order still firmly exist...maybe too much so for many!
I guess it all comes down to faith in the world not descending into a chaotic, barbaric and anarchic hell. I could say the same to you, i.e. I'd love to see some evidence of this. Do you see telltale signs of society coming apart at the seams? I see that as pure speculation.
Control, law and order still firmly exist...maybe too much so for many!
How can it be any other way? There is already sufficient damage done to the climate for temperatures to rise globally to levels unable to support human life. We already passed 400ppm CO2 last year. Central Africa and the middle east are already too hot. Fires and flooding across North America. Massive crop failures.
So, food shortages and many, many climate refugees. That will lead to even more 'chaotic and barbaric' situations. (I've left out 'anarchic'. I'm surprised a good left-winger like yourself uses it to mean the same as chaotic and barbaric!) This added to chaotic and often dangerous weather.
Rising sea levels, storms and more tectonic activity - and how many nuclear power stations are on coasts? If we were serious about survival we'd have started decommissioning them a couple of decades ago. More Fukushimas. More Chernobyls, since they need constant monitoring.
Methane release from seas and permafrost will worsen all of this.
You mention "Control, law and order still firmly exist...maybe too much so for many!" You'll see that this are points 11, 12 and 13. As people get more scared they look around for scapegoats and they support politicians who encourage such scapegoating. That's already happening.
You spoke of 'world leaders'. Who do you have in mind? Trump? May? Erdo?an?
I guess it does come down to faith. Faith can be based on evidence. Or it can be blind faith.
By world leaders I was referring to the Paris agreement to curb greenhouse emissions.
Yes, of course, I acknowledge the changing times of more desperate situations....however civilisation/society is not coming apart at the seams. Currently I am particularly concerned about the appalling Italian migrant crisis - such situations will eventually be addressed (one way or the other) but, unfortunately, too late for many that have lost their lives.
What is this political scapegoating that you refer to? I am inspired by the survivors of Grenfell Tower since they will NOT be trampled on! This appalling tragedy (corporate manslaughter) is not something that the government can brush under the carpet.
Unprecedented upheaval is disturbing and challenging but we are not yet at the doomed scenario you seem to envisage as inevitable.
By world leaders I was referring to the Paris agreement to curb greenhouse emissions.
Ah, yes. The non-binding agreement.
What is this political scapegoating that you refer to?
You're serious? Muslims in USA, Gays in Russia. Etc.
I am inspired by the survivors of Grenfell Tower since they will NOT be trampled on! This appalling tragedy (corporate manslaughter) is not something that the government can brush under the carpet.
I hope you're right. But they're making pretty good attempts.
Unprecedented upheaval is disturbing and challenging but we are not yet at the doomed scenario you seem to envisage as inevitable.
Did you read the link I posted? What are your arguments against it?
You're serious? Muslims in USA, Gays in Russia. Etc.
Did you read the link I posted? What are your arguments against it?
I know political scapegoating exists...I just wondered which ones you were referring to. I am not saying everything is rosy, by the way!
Ah yes, your links. Preppers are nothing new, i.e. Americans in particular have been doing this (I think you may know this though). Ha! So now the wealthy want in - surprised? Of course, I think it is excellent that some canny people are exploiting this and ripping them off with deluxe bunkers etc....where there's a market, there's $$$£££.
I think society may well suffer irrepairably in the future (I envisage something to do with a major, natural catastrophic occurrence) but what I can't influence I am not gonna lose sleep over or focus on. There is FAR too much negativity in the world...I am in the 'business' of having a positive mindset (now hardwired into me for some 3 decades now). I'm done with the fatalistic scenario (in terms of psychology/victim mentality). I prefer to look at what can be done and empowerment.
Worrying too much about the future is futile...a lot of 'what ifs' that (on reflection) never come to pass due to unforeseen other factors changing the course of events.
I think society may well suffer irrepairably in the future (I envisage something to do with a major, natural catastrophic occurrence) but what I can't influence I am not gonna lose sleep over or focus on. There is FAR too much negativity in the world...I am in the 'business' of having a positive mindset (now hardwired into me for some 3 decades now). I'm done with the fatalistic scenario (in terms of psychology/victim mentality). I prefer to look at what can be done and empowerment.
Worrying too much about the future is futile...a lot of 'what ifs' that (on reflection) never come to pass due to unforeseen other factors changing the course of events.
I'm not sure what factors could change the methane situation, or the melting ice, or many other problems. Do you never make plans based on scientific predictions? Tomorrow's weather, for example?
Besides, I rarely worry about anything and certainly don't lose sleep. And I don't see the point of any mindset that would make me ignore what is so.
Interesting that you chose the links about prepping and ignored the one that started the discussion. That was the one I was referring to when I asked for your arguments.
I'm not sure what factors could change the methane situation, or the melting ice, or many other problems. Do you never make plans based on scientific predictions? Tomorrow's weather, for example?
Besides, I rarely worry about anything and certainly don't lose sleep. And I don't see the point of any mindset that would make me ignore what is so.
Interesting that you chose the links about prepping and ignored the one that started the discussion. That was the one I was referring to when I asked for your arguments.
I tend to not make plans for the future. I am very much focused on the dynamic, unfolding present. Regarding weather, yes I have several methods of comparing tomorrow's forecast and they often don't even agree! This was more relevant to me when I was a cyclist.
You did not make it clear which link you were referring to but, as to the OP link, I have no way of accessing the credentials of Barry Saxifrage so am reluctant to take his predictions on board.
Incidentally, the EU Paris agreement on climate change is legally binding.
Incidentally, the EU Paris agreement on climate change is legally binding.
The EU has voted to make it so for EU countries. That doesn't include the rest of the world. It won't include us soon.
Barry Saxifrage is a well known (to those of us who follow such things) and well respected researcher and writer. He and his wife (also a writer) live in Canada. They run a website - http://www.saxifrages.org/eco/ Visual Carbon - which documents and explains climate change issues. Of course, it's probably easier not to believe anything he writes.
Weather? That's because only the Met Office employs meterologists, and The Guardian is the only paper/website that subscribes to the Met Office. The rest hang seaweed up!
I'm not 'making plans'. But ignoring what's happening? Why would I do that?