Climate Change Debate (Invitation Only)

[Laika]

Writing to MPs, getting involved in local government (I move around too much and my plans don't make it feasible), joining environmentalist organisations and lobby groups.

I am a card-carrying member of the Green Party, actually. I don't involve myself much in their activities of late.

I've voted Green in the past and considered joining them (but felt I was too left wing for them). Do you think its worth it?

 

[Iti oj]

Writing to MPs, getting involved in local government (I move around too much and my plans don't make it feasible), joining environmentalist organisations and lobby groups.

I am a card-carrying member of the Green Party, actually. I don't involve myself much in their activities of late.

Since you mentioned writing the white house what about visiting your local American embassy ?

I'm also in the green party and I'm trying to start a local chapter in my county

 

[Kirran]

I've voted Green in the past and considered joining them (but felt I was too left wing for them). Do you think its worth it?

Hmmm. What do you wanna get out of it?

Apparently the main wings are environmentalist liberals and environmentalist old-school-Labour-style socialists, then you've got an anarchist undercurrent somewhere. But I haven't encountered it.

Since you mentioned writing the white house what about visiting your local American embassy ?

I'm also in the green party and I'm trying to start a local chapter in my county

Hmm, I could visit. Tell them to get their act together. Get thrown out.

Oh yeah? I don't know how similar our respective Green parties are - probably quite similar, actually.

 

[YmirGF]

I've voted Green in the past and considered joining them (but felt I was too left wing for them). Do you think its worth it?

I could never bring myself to vote for a Green Party candidate. Their economics is generally ludicrous, has no real support or power base. Big labor and big business are also generally not fans. Without either of those two behind you... a candidate and party is doomed. So, no, I don't see it as worthwhile.

From what I have read thus far, I'm inclined to label the affable @Iti oj as a bit of an idealistic extremist. The shotgun approach simply will not work. There is too much to be done and too much to be changed. A large scale attack on several fronts will alienate far more than it will convince which could end up in setting things in a backwards tailspin. In Maoist terms this is a "long march", taking one hill at a time. Baby steps... baby steps...

 

[Revoltingest]

I could never bring myself to vote for a Green Party candidate. Their economics is generally ludicrous, has no real support or power base. Big labor and big business are also generally not fans. Without either of those two behind you... a candidate and party is doomed. So, no, I don't see it as worthwhile.

From what I have read thus far, I'm inclined to label the affable @Iti oj as a bit of an idealistic extremist. The shotgun approach simply will not work. There is too much to be done and too much to be changed. A large scale attack on several fronts will alienate far more than it will convince which could end up in setting things in a backwards tailspin. In Maoist terms this is a "long march", taking one hill at a time. Baby steps... baby steps...

When many things are uncertain, focus upon what can be done with
certain positive effects, eg, conservation, urban planning for efficiency.
It won't solve all problems, but it addresses GW with independent value.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

From what I have read thus far, I'm inclined to label the affable @Iti oj as a bit of an idealistic extremist. The shotgun approach simply will not work. There is too much to be done and too much to be changed. A large scale attack on several fronts will alienate far more than it will convince which could end up in setting things in a backwards tailspin. In Maoist terms this is a "long march", taking one hill at a time. Baby steps... baby steps...

I only hope we have enough time for a long march and baby steps.

 

[YmirGF]

I only hope we have enough time for a long march and baby steps.

Short of world wide revolution, we do not have a choice as the "environmental movement" does not have a Gandhi or a Lenin to take us the way forward...

 

[Eliab ben Benjamin]

We needs first to encourage organic farming,
with companion crops to control weeds, and insect attack ... natural compost fertilizer,

This is simple once first learned, and can be done for window box, home vege garden and commercial venture ..

Then later perhaps, a few chicken or ducks..
for eggs.. free range required..

 

[Laika]

Short of world wide revolution, we do not have a choice as the "environmental movement" does not have a Gandhi or a Lenin to take us the way forward...

Why wait for a leader when you can be one and look amazingly cool for it?

 

[Kirran]

We needs first to encourage organic farming,
with companion crops to control weeds, and insect attack ... natural compost fertilizer,

This is simple once first learned, and can be done for window box, home vege garden and commercial venture ..

Then later perhaps, a few chicken or ducks..
for eggs.. free range required..

While it would reduce the burden if it took over globally, and so be of benefit, it wouldn't do much in the face of ongoing pollution, GHG emission and deforestation.

There are some major industrial-level industries that we've gotta stop, and some major (bio) remediation we've gotta get stuck into, for other efforts to have been worth their while.

 

[Kirran]

I did lean Labour-wards a lot shortly after joining the Greens and strongly considered jumping ship. Labour at least has a history of deep involvement and a basis in the working class, it has union backing and it's got a strong syndicalist tradition.

 

[YmirGF]

We needs first to encourage organic farming,
with companion crops to control weeds, and insect attack ... natural compost fertilizer,

This is simple once first learned, and can be done for window box, home vege garden and commercial venture ..

Then later perhaps, a few chicken or ducks..
for eggs.. free range required..

I currently have 12 10' x 4' raised beds designed for organic gardening. The downside to this is that it is a lot of work, fine if you have the time, but well beyond the time constraints of the average person, ditto for those who have no interest in gardening. I do not deny that it is a great idea for people to grow their own produce but it isn't like everyone is going to put down their smart phone, tear up the lawn and begin gardening. I would think this is especially true in urban environments.

The local small city I live a 1/2 hour away from developed a modest community garden and oddly a lot of things were grown in barrels. What was genuinely weird is that this garden was placed directly beside a main highway, so all the produce was exposed to a continuous luxurious bath of carbon monoxide and other delectable treats from the endless stream of passing cars. (Filed under: Things that make you shake your head in disbelief.)

 

[Quetzal]

i) What do you consider the most serious implications of climate change?

We are in a bit of uncharted territory so that entire idea of the unknown comes to mind. Extreme weather is a big concern of mine. What this does is it puts developing nations at a severe and dangerous disadvantage. They do not have the infrastructure to deal with this problems as they arise. This is anything from extreme flooding, drought, or unstable weather patterns. This can lead to water and food shortages as a result. These people will have to migrate somewhere. Unfortunately, if the current political climate stays remotely the same as it is now, this will create an entire array of problems. We have already seen what happens when refugees are met with nationalists, I am not optimistic.

ii) how likely do you think it is in current climate science?

It is already occurring, the only question now is to what extent and for how long? I feel we have an opportunity to address that, but I fear our window is growing smaller.

iii) what do you think are the best solutions to respond to climate change?

Public awareness and benefit. These two go hand-in-hand and are the key to helping limit the damage done. I would like to see 1-2% of the budget the US invests in military operations to be dedicated to tax breaks and discounts for solar energy and other renewable energy sources (electric cars, wind generators, etc.) I am aware we do this to an extent, but it needs more. The public need to want to do this. The best way to incentivize change is to reward those who are courageous enough to give it a shot. We then, of course, need to offer similar programs to industries willing to do the same.

 

[Iti oj]

I could never bring myself to vote for a Green Party candidate. Their economics is generally ludicrous, has no real support or power base. Big labor and big business are also generally not fans. Without either of those two behind you... a candidate and party is doomed. So, no, I don't see it as worthwhile.

From what I have read thus far, I'm inclined to label the affable @Iti oj as a bit of an idealistic extremist. The shotgun approach simply will not work. There is too much to be done and too much to be changed. A large scale attack on several fronts will alienate far more than it will convince which could end up in setting things in a backwards tailspin. In Maoist terms this is a "long march", taking one hill at a time. Baby steps... baby steps...

I don't disagree but I'm not one to put my all my eggs in one basket. though idealistic I can think pragmatically and act as a realist. That's part of why I have brought up RepublicEn.org a few times on rf and fb . they bring great ideas, sollutions and information even if I think it's to little to late. I see multiple paths forward.

I have to ask you though am I really idealistic and extreme or is the whole world lazy and apathetic ?

Short of world wide revolution, we do not have a choice as the "environmental movement" does not have a Gandhi or a Lenin to take us the way forward...

And now you want an idealistic and extremist to lead. Well here I am. just don't be the Trotsky to my Lenin please

 

[MD]

I've voted Green in the past and considered joining them (but felt I was too left wing for them). Do you think its worth it?

I voted Green in the last election. They failed miserably and Trudeau won. I don't think the Left or the Right really gives a **** about the environment, I mean the Left tries to pay lip service to it but they don't really do anything.

 

[Quetzal]

I voted Green in the last election. They failed miserably and Trudeau won. I don't think the Left or the Right really gives a **** about the environment, I mean the Left tries to pay lip service to it but they don't really do anything.

I think it is safe to say that political figures on both sides of the aisle are in the pockets of oil companies.

 

[Laika]

I voted Green in the last election. They failed miserably and Trudeau won. I don't think the Left or the Right really gives a **** about the environment, I mean the Left tries to pay lip service to it but they don't really do anything.

Sadly, I agree. I wish I didn't. I think Quetzal got it right. Given the nature and urgency of the threat, the sort of action required on this issue isn't to be found in mainstream parties. Which is admittedly depressing.

There was an article in the Guardian which made the case that the (UK) greens weren't radical enough to deal with climate change. It tipped me towards joining the Communist Party over them but their policies on climate change were "thin" beyond a sort of green populism (probably coming from its youth wing). Whats scary is the idea we'd need something even more radical and are unlikely to get it.

 

[Quetzal]

Sadly, I agree. I wish I didn't. I think Quetzal got it right. Given the nature and urgency of the threat, the sort of action required on this issue isn't to be found in mainstream parties. Which is admittedly depressing.

There was an article in the Guardian which made the case that the (UK) greens weren't radical enough to deal with climate change. It tipped me towards joining the Communist Party over them but their policies on climate change were "thin" beyond a sort of green populism (probably coming from its youth wing). Whats scary is the idea we'd need something even more radical and are unlikely to get it.

It can happen, but it would take a dramatic shift in popular opinion. As long as the majority of the voting American population have a "meh" attitude about it instead of a progressive one, it is unlikely to change.

 

[MD]

It can happen, but it would take a dramatic shift in popular opinion. As long as the majority of the voting American population have a "meh" attitude about it instead of a progressive one, it is unlikely to change.

I went to the mall today. I was bored out of my mind but I noticed people shopping non stop. There is an addiction to consumption in our society, which is being exported to the 3rd world.

It took decades to reduce smoking rates, when the health risks were clear, and even still people smoke. It will take longer to even reduce rampant consumption of goods and services. To combat addictions is very hard, almost impossible.

I think the prepper option is the best for the individual, some basic survival skills and a solid unit.

 

[MD]

We are in a bit of uncharted territory so that entire idea of the unknown comes to mind. Extreme weather is a big concern of mine. What this does is it puts developing nations at a severe and dangerous disadvantage. They do not have the infrastructure to deal with this problems as they arise. This is anything from extreme flooding, drought, or unstable weather patterns. This can lead to water and food shortages as a result. These people will have to migrate somewhere. Unfortunately, if the current political climate stays remotely the same as it is now, this will create an entire array of problems. We have already seen what happens when refugees are met with nationalists, I am not optimistic.

One civil war in a small country like Syria caused a refugee crisis. Imagine a country like Pakistan with 200 million people, without water.

Not pretty.