Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Obama envoy: Time to act on climate change (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090329/ap_on_re_eu/eu_germany_climate_talks_8 - broken link)
Quote:
Quote:
By ARTHUR MAX, Associated Press Writer Arthur Max, Associated Press Writer – Sun Mar 29, 2:42 pm ET
BONN, Germany – Once booed at international climate talks, the United States won sustained applause Sunday when President Barack Obama's envoy pledged to "make up for lost time" in reaching a global agreement on climate change.
"We are very glad to be back. We want to make up for lost time, and we are seized with the urgency of the task before us," Stern said to loud applause from the 2,600 delegates to the U.N. negotiations.
They clapped again when Stern said the U.S. recognized "our unique responsibility ... as the largest historic emitter of greenhouse gases," which has created a problem threatening the entire world.
Stern said no one on his team doubted that climate change is real. "The science is clear, the threat is real, the facts on the ground are outstripping the worst-case scenarios. The cost of inaction or inadequate action are unacceptable," he said — a total change of tone from his predecessors.
Scientists warned recently that climate change is happening more rapidly that previously calculated and said the Earth could be in danger of major climatic changes that would trigger widespread social disruption. U.N. scientists say rising sea levels caused by global warming threatens to swamp coastlines and entire island states, and predicted increasing drought for arid countries, especially in Africa.
Temperatures for winter, December 2008 – February 2009, across the contiguous United States were near average, based on records dating back to 1895, according to a preliminary analysis by scientists at NOAA’s National Climatic Data Center in Asheville, N.C. For February 2009 alone, the average temperature was above the long-term average.
There is the whole problem. People won't act till something is really bad, but people exaggerate the climate problem so much that it's unbelievable to get people to notice...which people then discount as a "Day After Tomorrow" type failure. The type of thinking both ways is prone to failure due to believability...no one would act if there is a climate change, even if it's just starting to be an issue and is less of a degree then what is blown out of proportion. Largely because keeping the same attitude people don't have to change anything and continue to drink big hulks, while heating their huge homes, and eating big steaks...where varying their diet would improve health, driving fuel efficient cars would help their pocket book as well as fuel consumption, and cutting back on housing would help lessen debt as well.
Both are extremes of viewpoint...even finding the middle would be a boon to both the pocketbook and the environment in my own opinion and habits, but I like to save money and have no debt (besides student loans). To each their own though, I champion my own view and the way I conduct my life...people can do their own thing, I don't want to deal with their lives as I have enough complexity with my own.
There is the whole problem. People won't act till something is really bad, but people exaggerate the climate problem so much that it's unbelievable to get people to notice...which people then discount as a "Day After Tomorrow" type failure. The type of thinking both ways is prone to failure due to believability...no one would act if there is a climate change, even if it's just starting to be an issue and is less of a degree then what is blown out of proportion. Largely because keeping the same attitude people don't have to change anything and continue to drink big hulks, while heating their huge homes, and eating big steaks...where varying their diet would improve health, driving fuel efficient cars would help their pocket book as well as fuel consumption, and cutting back on housing would help lessen debt as well.
Point 1
No doubt to get attention or as in the case of Al Gore, perceived possible future political ambitions. Plus the fact that the average human will never take any of this seriously because of personal accountability issues, so the driving need at times to shock and awe common folk to be responsible and take notice. Beyond that, the only solution is to hold up a badge and a gun and make them do the right thing. That has never worked as history has shown. Point 2
People never take anything serious until it's too late. The idea of interupting their little playground pursuits of life with sobering earth shaking data might disturb or interfere with their armchair quaterbacking of things, hence the neanderthal-like outraged criticism on things they have no clue about. It's also again an accountability issue with many, so making fun of it and calling it a myth is the best they can accomplish from their family entertainment center Lazyboy. Point 3
This is an issue of Big Business in bed with Big Government. They have the technology/ideas already and have had for years, but this is a wealth/power driven economy centered around the sales of massive amounts of oil and nothing is allowed to get in the way. If they can throw an environmental bone or two out there to make themselves look responsible, then so be it. In the mean time with the already understood methods of alternatives already in existance, it's simply a matter of those on top finding a way to keep the status quo powerful forces in charge of who profit from these things. There is no room for responsible free or less expensive energy.
We are being led down a road that spells profit for the purveyors of human derived global warming. The human chacteristics that existed in the Dark Ages are doing quite well today. List human caused gloabal warming right behind the belief that the world is flat, the earth is the center of the universe and the myasmic theory; bad smells cause disease...all widely held scientific beliefs of the time. Carbon credits are the equivalent of buying forgiveness of your sins as practiced in medieval times.
Take note; you have been transported back in time to a 13th century world whose beliefs and behaviors which caused you, in 8th grade, to snicker at the widespread mainstream ignorance.
good for a healthy scare
It is like doing the right things for the wrong reason.
Disregard of nature will always bite you in the butt. If nothing else but a renewed respect for nature comes from this controversy, then it is good.
Don't believe we, you, me, Al Gore and the 3rd world, will have much impact on global warming. Maybe create some microclimates and local weather changes but the earth has its own very dynamic agenda. From the shifting of continents to the reshift of continents to the growth of glaciers to the recession of glaciers the earth has gone about her business. Because her plan does not take our requirements into consideration we feel we have to step up and take the reins? How pathetic is that perspective.
1st rule of nature is that it is constantly changing.
2nd rule is that Nature is neutral.
3rd is that we have evolved physiologically to fit into a small, 'temporary' niche circling in an eddy on the river of change. If the changes take place faster than we can evolve we go away.
To think humans are the center of the universe, AGAIN, is quite egocentric and insane. Technology may have developed exponentially but our clan has not. You might even argue we mucked with nature and saved too many lives that should have met their Darwinian fate.
Can guarantee one thing, when the angel Gabriel blows his trumpet to signal the end of the world some guy will be selling 'end of the world' tee-shirts on the street corner making a good profit.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
The new Dark Age
