|
We're beyond The Point of No Return
Look, even if every middle class European (That's me! xD) switched to fluorescent lighting and re-used carrier bags, I doubt that's going to have the tiniest effect on Global Warming.
Okay, so loads of people are making an effort to be environmentally friendly. But think about this: Carbon emissions reduced by the environmentally conscious: ---> Carbon emissions every day from massive industrial nations: --------------------------------------------------> Geddit? xD China isn't going to slow down production, just to name a new carbon-farting superpower. Nor is the US or Europe. And even if we suddenly all become hippies, I really don't think we can repair the damage we've done. I guess my point is that we might as well continue what we're doing until the earth wipes us all out in Katrina 4.0 or something - the Killer Storm of Instant Death. |
So you're saying we shouldn't try to change at all.
I think it's better that people put effort into stopping global warming. Yeah, we're not going to change a lot, and the damage will never undo itself unless humans completely die out, but even little things like reusing plastic bags is going to add up and significantly slow down the process. It's better to try then to sit back and do nothing. |
My family does most of that stuff those leaflets suggest... especially my little sister. She turns the light off as soon as you're out of the door, which is actually quite annoying. >.>
But it is nothing next to the damage we do at the same time. We live damaging life styles. Unless we all become farmers again, (not intensive farming) it's not going to change a thing. |
I don't think that the point is to repair damage all ready done but more to slow down the damage that is being done. Sort of like putting someone on life support and pain killers instead of just letting them take it and suffer more.
|
It doesn't do nothing. Yes, big factories and what-not are contributing a lot, but so are regular people. If normal people start contributing less, then we're taking out a major factor and it'll slow it down.
I think it's sad that you believe we'd be better off not even trying. That's like saying you'd be fine if everyone died tomorrow. |
We'll slow it down, exactly... just a more drawn out death.
|
Using that logic, why stop child executions? It saves them from dying a more horrible death when we burn off the ozone layer and die from third degree sunburn.
edit: I'm genuinely not trying to be confrontational, I just needed the most poignant example I could think of to illustrate my point. |
Bring on the next ice age. ^^
|
Quote:
But on a serious note, I think that slowing it down can help until we find either a) somewhere else to live, like a sci-fi movie! or b) find a way to heal it/ convince other countries to stop. |
I think the damage would take time to be removed it is not something that can be done over night. Just like the damage was not done over night. It will be a little progress at a time but it will make a big difference.
|
better die trying than die for nothing.. or something xD
I don't think we should just wait for our deaths. if something can be done, then it should be done. unfortunately, it's those bigger things that make the difference in this issue -.- |
Quote:
It won't be REMOVED. EVAR. *Slap* xP. What's done is done. THERE IS NOT A REWIND BUTTON. At least for the planet's health. |
Not just that, but there's still no conclusive scientific proof that it is humans that are causing global warming.
The hole in the o-zone layer is an entirely theoretical concept, yet so many people believe its existance to be scientific fact. It isn't. We know that the earth's temperature shifts naturally over time (for example, the ice ages), and we still don't know for certain whether or not global warming is part of that, it might have nothing at all to do with us anyway. |
I completely understand what you mean; I think that way a lot, too, but... Then I always think: If everyone in the world thought that way all ended up actually doing what's right, it would make a HUGE difference. Like... For example, a school's doing this canned food drive, okay? There's one class who's way behind the rest, and there's a prize for the top contributing class. Some of the students will try to get it, but there'd be so many people thinking, "I'm just one person, it doesn't make a difference whether or not I donate these cans." However, if all those students who thought that DID contribute just ONE CAN, that class would go up in rank a bunch! If all the people in the world that thought they're just one person, and that it's such a small thing they wouldn't make a difference, DID do that small thing, it would make a tremendous difference! |
It is a scary thing, but I think there are other things to worry about as well. Due to the major jump in price of gasoline, many of the truckers[18 wheelers] are actually throwing on a strikage due to the fact they spend bunches on deisal fuel.
Our town is attempting to find an alternative way to get gasoline in our cars so we will help prevent global warming in a way as well as so some of the 18 wheelers can lounge around here and get deisal. I'm not quite sure how that'll happen. If these truckers decide to quit transporting their goods by going state to state and factory to factory then we won't have anything anyway. Global Warming affects us in millions of ways that people don't even realize until it's right in front of our faces. |
No, there is no going back. There never has been; there has only ever been the future. Certain damage has been done, and we have to live with it regardless of our future actions. The way I see it, however, those future actions can either be to curb the damage, or to proceed with business as usual until the damage kills us. We can either take a course of action or reaction, and I for one choose action.
When we live in reaction mode, we are total victims to our circumstances. We are ruled by others and by our environment. We have no autonomy or control. This is a much easier path to follow, but ultimately a self-destructive, unfulfilling one. When we say our actions will never change anything, we are giving into the inactive victim mentality. Change on the scale that is needed will not be easy for us who have become so pampered by cheep energy, and it takes great determination and fortitude to make changes before they are a matter of life and death. None the less, if we don't act now, it will become a matter of life or death much faster than we realize. There is a reason for the slogan "think globally, act locally." Acting globally is not possible for everyday individuals; all that we can do is act locally; if anything is to change, however, it is essential that we think on a global scale while we do so. Maybe we can't personally see the effects of our small efforts, but the effects are there, and they add up. We are all interconnected, and out actions and words influence others. If we behave in the way we wish others would, others will see it, and some will follow your lead. I apologize if my attitude seems confrontational; it is not my intention to attack anyone. |
If you don't make changes to your lifestyle to help the environment, how are you going to inspire large corporations to? You think scientists and engineers are going to work on alternative, more environmentally friendly fuel sources if there is no demand for them? The apathy, selfishness, and victim mentality of this generation is fucking disgusting.
Quote:
|
There's always hope. Large movements started with a few determined people. The masses can do the research and find out which corporations are serious about being green, then only spend their money with them (wherever possible of course---fortunately almost anything can be ordered online if you live in an area that has reliable postal service and cable or wifi connection).
I've been thinking our only hope beyond making sure we are green in our own homes is to hit the corporations in the pockets. They worship money. It's all they listen to. Without people who will spend, they have nothing, and they will find a way to please the masses. It's just a matter of watching out for their curveballs... Damn shame they have to be policed so intensely, but it needs to be done. Not to be overly idealistic but we have alot more power than we've used. It's hard to keep hope alive so to speak, but there is potential to turn things around. Setting the right trends can create new paradigms that catch like wildfire, if executed correctly. Seemingly silly movements like wearing green shirts for a month can become a story in mass media and influence collective consciousness in a big way if it happens at the right time. I can't give up hope yet, but yes the damage done , especially with the plastic that seems to have even become a genetic makeup of many ocean creatures, will take some time to get back into a balance. We very well could be seeing more global disasters before Mother Nature readjusts herself. |
Caroline:
Amen to everything you said. GreenZoe: You're right about the importance of little things. Every movement has a tipping point, but people have to actually pitch in for the balance to tip. |
Well, I think the idea is that it will help with sustainability for future generations. Every little bit helps. Even though global warming will continue, and we know this is the case, generally, we can slow it down, even just a little bit.
|
I somehow agree with you. Global warming or other future tragedies is indeed inevitable with the current state of the world. However, I do not agree with the waiting to be wiped out thing.
We are humans. We have proved our intelligence by formulating ways to survive this unchartered world. We centralized our lives. We created culture. Why can't we adapt to a future environmental setting? It will be different of course and the process of adaptation will take time. i agree that it cannot be prevented but the environmentalists, few as they are, do contribute to the slowing down of the coming of the tragedies. the key here is for humans to learn to adapt in the new more dangerous world and make it safe again for them. It is a challenge but who knows? We might conquer it. |
| All times are GMT. The time now is 04:26 AM. |