Greenland is melting

[lapfog_1]

the Amazon is on fire... as is Siberia. The permafrost in Alaska and Canada is melting and releasing methane in vast quantities.

Any questions?

Seriously, nothing else should be a priority over this... not guns, not immigration, not taxation, not the economy, not health care, not even democracy itself.

If we don't stop global warming and return the planet to the narrow range of temperatures we have mostly enjoyed for the last 2000 years or so... we will never sustain 7 billion people... and if there is a great die off (of humans and other species), there is no telling how far civilization will tumble. Wars, mass migrations, starvation, disease. This is all that we can look forward to. We don't have a lot of time left to act.

[Joe941]

1. Agreed. It is the top issue of our time.

[Cartoonist]

2. We deserve it

I am guilty too.

[Newest Reality]

3. Sorry, but...

For me, the window of opportunity is long gone. I am sorry to share my view on it, but if you look at a lot of information about it, it seems clear that we are not going to turn it around in any significant way.

For what ever humans and animals that will survive this, we can continue to try to mitigate our impact and the severity though, so that, maybe several hundred, or thousands, of years in the future, the climate may adjust in some way that is hospitable again.

Of course, that's just referring to the dramatic changes in climate and weather to come, along with the changes in sea levels. The amount of pollution and plastic we are going to leave behind is another matter and it is increasing all the time. Our modern lifestyle has despoiled our home and some of it will take a very, very long time, (if ever) to breakdown.

Meanwhile, I suggest not worrying as much about the future and long-term plans and enjoy doing what you do. The present is all we really have.

[Locrian]

5. I'm right there as well....

"too early" to retire but seriously thinking of it anyway to enjoy what years we/I have left
course... I have to convince my wife, and she's in denial....

[Newest Reality]

6. Well, denial

can be a way to cope with it. Everyone is different.

There are people who are banding together in communities that they call "transition towns" in order to be able to at least blunt the blow of the outcome, I guess you could call it palliative. It is a much better way to respond then the backwoods preppers who think that going it alone is really such a swift idea, which, in my opinion, it is not.

The thing is, in America, one out four people polled don't even have a close confident in their lives, let alone a community, so that's a barrier in itself. That whole, rugged individual, self-made thing is a delusion that has little to offer in survival value when the going gets rough.

Things were, are and will always be impermanent, and to really know and accept that can be helpful in the present.

[Locrian]

9. good words...

I've researched enough to understand that the "rugged individual" way is a harsh, painful, and short existence.
Interesting about the transition towns - worth checking out.

My path now is to enjoy life, live frugally, and find time to play jazz guitar...

[Newest Reality]

10. Cool!

I can endorse that! Enjoy your now! Jam!

[5X]

4. I think the right wingers are counting on the chaos and intend to take advantage

that is why they want to be armed.

[volstork]

7. La, la, la

I'll just pretend that none of this is happening....

?itemid=12096113


(In case there's any question)

[dixiegrrrrl]

11. I can't remember the title of that film.

Can ya help?

[volstork]

12. Looks like

"Dumb and Dumber"

[Calculating]

8. But what about gun control!!!

Seriously, while people are all bickering about 20 people dying here or there in a shooting there's a literally existential crisis on the horizon that threatens our very civilization and way of life. If we don't take action on climate, the issues like abortion/gay marriage/guns will be utterly irrelevant in the future.