"We must recognise the catastrophic dangers of climate change"!

[Alias 0]

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/article2163428.ece

Interesting - Professor Stephen Hawking's opinion on climate changes -

"As citizens of the world, we have a duty to share that knowledge. We have a duty, as well, to alert the public to the unnecessary risks that we live with every day, and to the perils we foresee if governments and societies do not take action now to render nuclear weapons obsolete and to prevent further climate change"

Carpe Diem

[shropshire 0]

He's one very clever cookie......repaired clicky

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[kallend 1,647]

Quote

He's one very clever cookie......repaired clicky

I knew him in college! He was smart then, too.

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[bluesidedown 0]

And yet... North Americans go about their daily lives just the same as they did yesterday- changing nothing- because we do not see an immenent danger. We read the news, but do not digest it- do not activate a change in our own lives to turn the tide back in the species' favor. After reading the article, many will hop happily by themselves into their SUV after leaving the lights on at home, and go merrily on their way.

Decline could take the track of an exponential function... and we may have already lost control.

[shropshire 0]

To be fair to our Yankie cousins.... we're all pretty much guilty of carrying on regardless. Granted, some of the scales are different, but the intent is similar.

We all expect someone else to give up their toys first.

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[bluesidedown 0]

It's true... totally. I said 'North Americans' to include Canada... although 'the developed world' might be a more accurate address.

It's exactly how you said- we expect some one else to start a positive cycle.

[bluesidedown 0]

...It's kindof like we're being neglegent with the responsibilities that come with success.

[billvon 2,427]

>It's kindof like we're being neglegent with the responsibilities that come with success.

The issue is that few people fear predictions. In the 1940's, it took the deaths in Donora, PA for people to start realizing that factory pollution was actually a problem, and it took a decade of deadly air in LA to convince people that regulating vehicle emissions was important. In both cases scientists were aware of the potential hazards, but it took actual death and disease to convince people of the need for change. Before that, they scoffed at the idea that they should spend money to fix what was merely predicted to happen.

I hope it will not require a lot of death/disease this time. One additional problem is that, with pollution, the solution happened in the place that the problem was seen (Los Angeles, Donora.) This time, problems in LA are going to affect Bangladesh and Venice, not just LA. That means we will need to take a more global perspective of the issue.

[AggieDave 6]

As a side note, if Al Gore really was as dedicated to his cause about global warming, why wasn't he more proactive during the 8 years he was VP? Seems like he's just jumping on the global warming band wagon on the backs of others in order to poke more jabs at the current administration.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[billvon 2,427]

>why wasn't he more proactive during the 8 years he was VP?

1992 - George Bush called him "Ozone Man" for his harping about the risk to the ozone layer

1993 - published "Earth in the Balance", a book about ecology, conservation and global warming

1996 - played a major role in the phaseout of CFC's, which not only destroy the ozone layer but are an incredibly potent greenhouse gas

1997 - represented the US at Kyoto and pushed for its adoption

1997 - hosted White House Conference on Climate Change

1999 - fought congress when they tried to attach a "gag order" to a Departments of Veterans Affairs development bill that prohibited federal employees from mentioning climate change

2000 - wrote executive order to reduce fuel usage on government fleets 20% within five years

2000 - wrote EO to provide incentives for federal employees to use public transportation]

2000 - proposed new standards to improve appliance efficiency

[kallend 1,647]

Quote

>why wasn't he more proactive during the 8 years he was VP?

1992 - George Bush called him "Ozone Man" for his harping about the risk to the ozone layer

1993 - published "Earth in the Balance", a book about ecology, conservation and global warming

1996 - played a major role in the phaseout of CFC's, which not only destroy the ozone layer but are an incredibly potent greenhouse gas

1997 - represented the US at Kyoto and pushed for its adoption

1997 - hosted White House Conference on Climate Change

1999 - fought congress when they tried to attach a "gag order" to a Departments of Veterans Affairs development bill that prohibited federal employees from mentioning climate change

2000 - wrote executive order to reduce fuel usage on government fleets 20% within five years

2000 - wrote EO to provide incentives for federal employees to use public transportation]

2000 - proposed new standards to improve appliance efficiency

OK, BUT what did he do in 1994 and 1998?

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[nathaniel 0]

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OK, BUT what did he do in 1994 and 1998?

And why didn't he convince Bush during those years?

My advice is to do what your parents did; get a job, sir. The bums will always lose. Do you hear me, Lebowski?

[billvon 2,427]

>BUT what did he do in 1994 and 1998?

You got me! Global warming is therefore a complete sham. It's not getting hotter, and if it is it's not our fault, and if it is our fault it's good for us, and if it's not good for us it's Gore's fault.

[Royd 0]

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It's true... totally. I said 'North Americans' to include Canada... although 'the developed world' might be a more accurate address.

It's exactly how you said- we expect some one else to start a positive cycle.

Where's all of that faith in the evolutionary process?

Are we so selfish that we just want to preserve our convenient lifestyles as they stand?

Maybe mother nature is fixing to have a major housecleaning and we can't do a thing about it.

[billvon 2,427]

>Where's all of that faith in the evolutionary process?

?? Evolution will continue. If the climate changes dramatically, there will be mass extinctions, and other species will radiate into the new niches. It's happened before.

>Are we so selfish that we just want to preserve our convenient
>lifestyles as they stand?

As far as I can tell - yes. Few people want to hear that they have to drive a small car, throw out less stuff or buy flourescent lights. That's inconvenient.

>Maybe mother nature is fixing to have a major housecleaning and we
>can't do a thing about it.

That may well be true. It would sure be dumb to "force her into it" though.

[rehmwa 2]

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Where's all of that faith in the evolutionary process?

Hmmmm, human evolution based on additional toxins, higher temperatures, and more direct light....

1 - a LOT more nose hair
2 - bigger lungs
3 - more sweat
4 - darker skin
5 - smaller eyes, maybe an extra film
6 - thinner builds (easier to shed heat)

pretty much what happens to about half of the populace as they pass the age of 60

Clinton got a BJ

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[bluesidedown 0]

That could be it... it's a sobering realization to think about.

We're in for a heck of a ride, anyways.


Added: We'll likely be ready to change when the market for waterfront property in Orlando matures.