02 Jan 07
The scientists have spoken. The world is heating up and the effects of climate change will transform the planet over the next few decades. Scientists and environmentalists are calling on all countries to make massive and urgent cuts in carbon emissions to alleviate the impact of climate change. This has led more and more people to look into how they can reduce their "carbon footprint" by reducing air travel and car journeys, saving energy in the home, recycling more, and so on.
But what do you think ? Some questions to get you started. Have you yourself tried to reduce your carbon footprint or to conserve energy and travel less ? Should we all be taking responsibility for changing our lifestyle in 2007 ? Do our individual choices matter in the scheme of things ? Is it enough for us to leave it to the governments and big corporations who are the main energy users to change things ? Is it reasonable to expect families who are struggling to make ends meet to change their lifestyles ?
02 Jan 07
2 edits
Originally posted by bolshevikThe direct results of reckless and greedy natural energy resource use policies.
The scientists have spoken. The world is heating up and the effects of climate change will transform the planet over the next few decades.
Should we all be taking responsibility for changing our lifestyle in 2007 ?
Yes.
Do our individual choices matter in the scheme of things ?
Yes.
Is it reasonable to expect families who are struggling to make ends meet to change their lifestyles ?
Yes to most everything you have stated. With the lone exception of the poverty stricken families to take charge and reduce their dependence on energy, which are sold as being practically infinite and that come from a practically infinite energy resource base. In all probability they do not possess the tools or the knowledge to perform such an Herculean task. Also the effects of climate change are being felt today, mostly due to improper and dangerous mismanagement of the worlds resources. This should be the real cause for concern.
02 Jan 07
Originally posted by bolshevikThis is the old "should everyone in China be allowed a car?" question. The problem is this. China's economy is growing fast, and consistently. People there are starting to gain some wealth, and want the same lifestyle that people in the west enjoy. They want washing machines, TVs, cars, computers and everything else. Of course, as just about everyone with half a brain realises, this just isn't tenable - the environmental cost would be huge. But do they "deserve" any less than the rest of us? Should their quality of living be maintained at an artificially low level so that the environment holds up? And what of the rest of us? We expect our standard of living to go up year on year, but is it really a valid position? Good of the one, or the good of the many?
The scientists have spoken. The world is heating up and the effects of climate change will transform the planet over the next few decades. Scientists and environmentalists are calling on all countries to make massive and urgent cuts in carbon emissions to alleviate the impact of climate change. This has led more and more people to look into how they can re ...[text shortened]... easonable to expect families who are struggling to make ends meet to change their lifestyles ?
02 Jan 07
Originally posted by scottishinnzNo that is not a realistic expectation. OTOH the nearly universal stereotype of Americans being fat, lazy and greedy consumerist chumps that drive brand new Hummers to the local fast food joint or the supermarket is hard to ignore.
We expect our standard of living to go up year on year, but is it really a valid position?
02 Jan 07
Originally posted by eldragonflyPeople complain about stereotypes all the time. However, most stereotypes have at least a grain of truth at their core.
No that is not a realistic expectation. OTOH the nearly universal stereotype of Americans being fat, lazy and greedy consumerist chumps that drive brand new Hummers to the local fast food joint or the supermarket is hard to ignore.
03 Jan 07
Originally posted by eldragonflyStereotypes are easy to ignore because anybody who forms opinions based on them are morons.
No that is not a realistic expectation. OTOH the nearly universal stereotype of Americans being fat, lazy and greedy consumerist chumps that drive brand new Hummers to the local fast food joint or the supermarket is hard to ignore.
All Arabic people are terrorists.
All Chinese people are high achieving
All Mexicans are lazy
All Americans are fat/lazy/conservative/idiots
If you have ever used one of these arguments please shoot yourself.
Now, back to the topic, winning the environmental battle is going to be difficult because the American/Chinese/European lifestyle is well ingrained into our heads. There is no way most of us can go without a car, or the internet, or the TV or our fast consumerist lives.
I live about three blocks from my school so that I can bike there instead of drive, not all of us have that opportunity.
03 Jan 07
1 edit
Originally posted by DraxusConsumer society has everyone by the balls. Might as well get used to it. The advertising people will dream up new shapes for the obese to inhabit. Maybe they'll be the pioneers of Podville.
I live about three blocks from my school so that I can bike there instead of drive, not all of us have that opportunity.
Zero biodiversity above insect level, total deforestation, inturned hive mindset--can we live with it? Sure we can. We're as adaptable as cockroaches.
03 Jan 07
Originally posted by eldragonflyI don't know any Americans who fit your sterotype. Is that what they print in Le Monde or the London Times?
No that is not a realistic expectation. OTOH the nearly universal stereotype of Americans being fat, lazy and greedy consumerist chumps that drive brand new Hummers to the local fast food joint or the supermarket is hard to ignore.