AM I ASLEEP OR IS THIS REALLY A NIGHTMARE?
Pop Quiz
True or False?
1. Global temperatures naturally fluctuate; global climate change is a myth.
2. There's no point in lowering our carbon emissions, when China is a worse culprit than we are.
3. It would take too long to replace fossil fuel with pollution-free renewables, so there's no use in trying.
Answers: 1. F (See Grist's line by line debunking of the skeptics arguments.) 2. F (New York Times' economist Tom Friedman lauds China's commitment to go green ) 3. F (See Timeline to Energy Independence )
The UK is waking up (10:10, Not Stupid, 350) and it's time for us to do the same in the U.S. If you have ideas on how to show Obama that we're awake--and we want the US to sign an ecologically viable accord in Copenhagen this December--then do tell!
(Write your answers in the comments below!)
Every great empire in the world has its day in the sun, the pharoahs did, the romans did and in the modern times the british did and so did the americans. This is the 21st century and starting from the 2 quarter of it, the sun will shine on not one but a collage of nations led by China, India, Brazil. The USA cannot influence the policies of these countries extensively because it has done its share of damage to the environment (lets not even go to the other areas). Its like having the thief teach you morals about truth.
But don't worry, I am not a pessimist and the solution for us Americans to exert or coax other nations to avoid this catastrophic "stairway to heaven" is spend more amount of money on research so that we can use alternative forms of energy which are much cheaper to get more bang for the buck. The key word here is "Cheaper" as once sceientists discover or invent ways of producing energy using less expensive means than firing massive coal plants or getting complex technology like nuclear fusion or fission, the so called 21st century imperial nations like the ones mentioned above will automatically move to this new technology.
The biggest reason that forests are cut down and coal plants are started is because its cheaper to do so than any other means of producing energy. Us Americans have to spend the time and effort that we have in our brian pool to find that "miracle pill" to produce energy. It could be solar, wind, magnetic or using some sort of voodoo magic but it has to be done quickly.
I would urge the current administration to invest more money into research so that we can lead by example, and not be the person to dictate to others what to do. All these accords will be adhered to by only the developed G8 nations and given the current economic conditions, I doubt that anyone will stick to it. Lets raise the awareness with what we have, that is the money for research and the brains to discover it. I pray and hope that "it" is going to come soon enough.
We as ordinary citizens can do our share by raising awareness not just in our country but around the world through internet blogs like these.
I am really thankful and proud to be a friend of Pam who introduced me to this blog.
You say, "We as ordinary citizens can do our share by raising awareness not just in our country but around the world through internet blogs like these." So true! And today, it's happening. The US Department of Energy reports carbon emissions are dropping, not only due to the reduced energy consumption of the recession, but also shifts towards renewable energy. http://www.peopleandplanet.net/doc.php?id=3633 And nearly 10,000 bloggers around the world are speaking out about climate TODAY. http://www.blogactionday.org