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So, tell us, what must be done to fix the problem?
A lot. Energy production needs to be de-carbonized as rapidly as possible. This includes solar, wind, geothermal, hydrothermal, wave action, nuclear, etc.
Transportation also needs to be de-carbonized as quickly as possible, and there needs to be more mass transit in urban areas (light rail, buses, subways, those sorts of things).
Production/consumption loops need to be closed to cut back on the need to constantly mine new materials. Petroleum based plastics need to be replaced with non-petroleum based plastics (hemp is a good alternative).
Carbon needs to be taxed. Carbon capture needs to be implemented. Re-forestation efforts need to be ramped way up.
People need to eat less meat. Animal products (meat, dairy, eggs, etc.) should be sourced locally. Plant products should be sourced locally too when possible but even imported plant based foods have a far smaller footprint than meat products.
In short we have to rethink how our society works. What we are doing is unsustainable. Full stop. However, this does not mean that everyone needs to give up all modernity and live like a bunch of luddites, because that is ridiculous.
There is no denying that fossil fuel driven capitalism has lead to the uplifting out of poverty of many millions, if not billions, of people around the world. This is a good thing. What is not a good thing is the perpetuation of a system that we now know is detrimental to continued development, and a system in which the cost to benefit ratio is no longer in our favor.
Permafrost is melting, glaciers are in retreat, seas are rising, animals are going extinct, extreme weather events are becoming more common, costs for natural disaster relief is spiraling out of control, and the world's poor are bearing a lopsided burden of these problems that are not of their making.
These are societal issues that will only be solved by clear vision and strong leadership. If the US actually got serious about this problem and actually enacted meaningful policy changes to address what is happening the rest of the world would follow us.
As it stands we're too hung up on "them" not doing enough. And to that I say, why would you expect them to do anything different if there is no incentive not to?
One way or the other though, the reality of the situation we face will force us to change one way or the other. The only question is how bad will we let it get before we decide to do something about it, and what will be lost as a result? Boomers, and even Millennials, won't have to deal with effects that are really too bad, but there are plenty of people alive today who will live to see the year 2100, and on our current trajectory that will not be a great time to be alive.
Can we just consider that if the air temperature is 33 degF, that there will be virtually no ice melt? The claim that air temperature 1 degF over freezing is going to turn the Arctic in to a swimming pool is nuts - especially from a scientist.
My friend Cathy felt a lump in her breast and was going to go to an oncologist. I told her, "Cathy, please, what do those quacks know." I sent her to my daughters kindergarten teacher who is into crystal healing. I kept my mouth shut at her funeral.
My friend Cathy felt a lump in her breast and was going to go to an oncologist. I told her, "Cathy, please, what do those quacks know." I sent her to my daughters kindergarten teacher who is into crystal healing. I kept my mouth shut at her funeral.
See the last of my above post.
YOU are exactly the wrong type to have a voice. That was freakin stupid as hell.
You have no friend named Cathy, who died of cancer. I'll bet you have no daughter; however, I fear you might.
Quote:
Originally Posted by DCMann2
A lot. Energy production needs to be de-carbonized as rapidly as possible. This includes solar, wind, geothermal, hydrothermal, wave action, nuclear, etc.
3rd and 4th generation nuke is the only solution. Solar and Wind are killing birds and mammals by the millions. IS THAT WHAT YOU WANT?
Nuclear is the only viable solution, yet... the planet hugers hate it.
Hence the "caveman" solution. Let's all move into a cave and die by 25. SOLVED!
Quote:
Originally Posted by sanspeur
So you at least agree that CO2 is warming the planet, and climate change is the result.
A warm planet is a cozy planet. This joint has been far hotter than this in the past. No mass extinction is attributed to heat, but cold? YEP!
At least three ice ages have almost wiped out the entire planet of life.
If you want to save the planet keep pumping Co2!!!
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