Has Global Warming became a pretense of belief with no intent

[heidler1]

of doing a damn thing to alter the situation? The only thing that has happened is a few people have cut back on driving because they can not afford to do it.

[Buzz Clik]

1. Many nations and states have taken action.

Trying to do something as individuals, other than cutting back on driving, in difficult and nearly pointless other than to make a statement.

[Double T]

2. Nothing will be done about global warming until it is too late........

in the meantime there will be a lot of lip service without any real significant actions to reduce the causes of global warming.

[misanthrope]

8. I completely concur and...

...the overwhelming evidence of history substantiates such.

[ochazuke]

10. How long before...?

We see books and info-mericals like "How to Profit from the Coming Ice Shelf Collapse"?

This is America. No one will try to mitigate global warming, just make a buck off it.

[Yupster]

3. I read in the Economist recently

a report about a conference the UN sponsored five years ago or so. It brought in all kinds of environmentalists and scientists and they rated issues on how much impact they could have and then allocated money to them.

The issues that came out on top were stuff like immunizations in Africa and safe drinking water. That's where the scientists thought they could have a major impact on life with comparitively little resources. This story was touting the success at meeting the five year goals.

The story mentioned that Global Warming finished dead last on the list because making an impact would take huge resources and it was unclear how much impact could be achieved even with the allocation.

It was an interesting article.

[Kickoutthejams23]

18. Yeah the cost benefit ratio on Global Warming is out of whack.

Unlike simple fixes such as banning CFCs to help the ozone or DDT to help eagles. (by the way there is a new bald eagle nest near my house. Man those birds are big and beautiful) Global warming simply has no easy fix. The real problem of course is that any fix may not have an effect at all. Adaptation to climate change is a much more practical solution than attempting to change the weather.

Now there are always trade offs the banning of DDT did cause an increase of Malaria deaths but in all fairness they were mostly foreigners. We simply need to explain to those same foreigners that they can't have a modern lifestyle cause there are too many of them and it will screw up the environment. No cars for you. :sarcasm:

[earthside]

4. Jevons Paradox

The problem is Jevons Paradox.

The more you and I conserve by riding bicycles or driving a Prius (thereby reducing carbon emissions), the more supply is left at a possibly lower price for the selfish folks who don't 'believe' in global warming or Peak Oil, and drive Hummers everywhere they go.

This is why markets will not save us from the consequences of global warming or Peak Oil ... international governmental leadership is essential.

[GreenPartyVoter]

5. Watched the Tom Brokaw special last nite, we are planning

on turning off our entertainments system and puters at the power strip.

[peacebird]

7. we use power strips to turn off entertainment system and computers also

And have installed compact flourescent bulbs, solar hot water, and 18 PV solar panels.... We drive a prius and are trying to further limit our impact with organics but I don't feel we are doing enough. Yet I really don't know much of what else to do?

[Subdivisions]

11. Thank you! You are putting mere words

into action.

You are to be commended for not only your awareness of the problem, but your actions in doing your own small part to fix the problem. You have already done more towards reversing the damage than * has done during his entire presidency.

[peacebird]

16. (blush) thank you!

Of course doing more than * wouldn't take very much.......

:hi:

[GreenPartyVoter]

19. We're also using the bulbs but cannot afford to go solar :^(

[paparush]

21. Dude..talk to me about your PV!!

Send me a PM..let me know about your set up.. how you got started...etc..Is your home off the grid? Are you feeding power back to the power company?

[peacebird]

23. we have 18 pv panels plus solar hotwater system. We are net-metering

so our power meter rolls backwards all day and forward at night. The solar hotwater was very inexpensive and will pay for itself in about 3 years. It alone made a HUGE impact on our bills! Our power company told us that solar hotwater is the single least expensive way for folks to reduce their power bills - and they were right. We saw the impact immediately!

The PV system (we got a bigger converter and can add up to 8 more panels) was expensive, and will likely not pay for itself in energy cost savings at the current rates - but we felt it was something we could do, and it feels like the right choice to us. It *will* help keep our power costs to a more reasonable rate for us when we retire - so I guess we are paying for the future now? :-)

We would need to add more panels to be close to off grid - and replace our fridge as well. In the winter we heat with a tulikivi soapstone fireplace, so our electric bill is only about $35, and in the summer it has been averaging about $75 even with the AC on.

We had our system installed to feed back to the grid and are using a SunnyBoy inverter. We have not purchased a battery backup system (where the excess power goes to batteries before it goes to power company) so if there is a power outtage - we will be powerless along with everyone else.

[paparush]

25. What State do you live in? Does your state provide tax incentives for

PV applications?

Thanks for sharing!

[TheFarseer]

6. I bought some of those super-efficient light bulbs

if it makes you feel better. I'd be planting trees if I owned a house. Your point is well taken though, not much action on this issue.

[Alacrat]

12. This may sound to simple

I was driving through town Friday night, there was very little traffic on the streets. I had to stop for almost every red light I came to. I know you couldn't do this everywhere, but where and when the volume of traffic is low, couldn't cities make the lights flashing yellow, and red? This would save a lot of stop and go, thus reducing emmisions, if it were done nation wide, I think it would have a decent impact. Maybe not

[Subdivisions]

15. A very good idea, and not just because

I hate having to stop at a light when there is no cross-traffic.

[TheFarseer]

17. You must live in Houston

I was there for a year and I think traffic lights are timed to ensure maximum traffic stoppage. There was a light on a MAJOR HIGHWAY on a TIMER so that people could get to a Baptist Church. I could see with an electric eye or just on Sunday, but that would have been too smart. I hate Houston! I lived about 8 miles from where I worked (over half of that route on the interstate) and it took me on average 50 minutes to get there.

[heidler1]

20. I like that plus they used to do it in Los Angeles.

[paparush]

22. Single Car drivers! Its KILLING US

I was in Columbia, MD a couple of weeks ago for biz. I was overwhelmed by A) the traffic and B) that 80% of the cars in the traffic were carrying ONE FRIGGIN PERSON! Argghh!! It really hit home for me as I live in rural, western North Carolina where I don't often see heavy traffic.

[Alacrat]

24. Many cities and smaller towns don't have those traffic problems

We do during rush hours of course, but the evenings have very little traffic. I work for the fire dept. and IMO it wouldn't be a safety concern here. There are plenty of smaller towns, and parts of larger cities where this could be a real benifit.

[Subdivisions]

13. it makes me feel better so

thanks!

Can you imagine the impact on fossil-fuels emissions if everyone did what you did?

[bananas]

9. It's starting to snowball despite Bush and Cheney

Al Gore said even someone in the GOP told him that no matter who is elected in 2008, the new administration will act on global warming.

Here's a sample of larger things that are happening:

Assessing Just Which Green Wal-Mart Is Now Pursuing - AlterNet
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=115x64309

Global warming could mean jobs for Californians
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=115x64512

U.S. Wind Power Approaches 10-Gigawatt Milestone
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=115x64004

Concentrating Solar Power Ready to Replace Fossil Fuels - CO ratepayers
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=115x64586

[ComerPerro]

14. Republicans love to cite "liberal hypocricy" on this issue

because we aren't "cutting back".

Fuck that. I already cut back. I didn't cut back after Gore's movie came out because I was already NOT driving an SUV and driving no more than necessary.