Warmer or colder, more snow or less rain…
HE PRIMARY Topic of conversation viz climate change should not be proof, fear or the lack of either. The elephant in the middle of the room is the accusation that we made a wrong turn with the industrial revolution, that we screwed ourselves with coal and the steam engine and, as a result, have put our entire economy and culture on a collision course with ecological karma. The only question we, in this here and now, can ask and honestly answer, is “Do we have the balls to stop, cold turkey, and accept the possibility that we may find ourselves once again in the late middle ages, at least as far as technology goes. Stop driving cars, stop making plastics, stop burning oil. Yes or no?
If we are not willing for the answer to be yes, they we just need to stop spending money, stop sending politicians to meetings and stop tying up the internet and the airwaves with our pro- or con- blathering.
If the answer is no – and I think that not even Al Gore is willing to give up his iPhone – then we might as well ride it out and STFU.
Tags: climate change, environment, politics, warming | Category: politics
Discussion: You came too late to this party
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While I appreciate the stark simplicity of your analysis, I wonder if there may not be other options. I suspect the solution will not ultimately be technological although there may in fact be a technological spin on getting out of the current mess. We just haven’t figured it out yet.
The underlying issue is that we all need to readjust our expectations. The American Dream has got to die, and that’s not going to be easy to sell to the developing nations.
You are right, of course: technology may get us out of this.
But no one is being honest about how far back we may have to go. The American Dream is certainly a lie, but it’s also possible that the things that make (e.g.) Toronto & Buffalo inhabitable for much of the year are equally deceptions. How many people would live in either city without oil consumption for ample – even superfluous – heat? What about snow ploughs?
LA… with her century plus of robbing water from all of California. LV chilling the desert air (with the doors open) 20/7/365…
The chunnel.
Space exploration.
I have more petroleum in my bedroom than I do wood (and I have wood floors).
If we’re going to draw lines of “thus far and no further” before we start to realise the depth and breadth of the danger, we’re sunk. If we’re not willing to risk it all… heck… most of us think buying a Prius and making compost is enough. We’re in danger here…
And while technology may get us out of this, it will do so at the risk of just creating more stuff that we can buy – which only aggravates the problem/addiction rather than repairs it.
All very true, and points which I’m familiar with. I have relatives who still farm with horses. They do have electricity in the home, but no TV or radio. I suspect that they would do alright, especially the ones with large enough woodlots to keep themselves warm. (At least this is a renewable source of energy.)
For my part, I’m quite grateful for the electronic toys I have and the magic of high tech winter clothing. Roughing it for two weeks in the woods is a great vacation, but I wouldn’t choose to live like that unless it was forced upon me.