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Owen
Old Hand
22 Posts |
 Posted - 10/11/2006 : 13:55:56
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Having just re-watched last Monday's Commons statement on climate change and the Stern report, I've confirmed my initial agreement with Stern's assessment that the situation is fairly grave and some action is needed as soon as possible.
Despite this, I've realised that personally, I've made no changes to my energy usage so far.
I'm just wondering what views other people have on climate change in general and what incentives (if any) you would require to adapt to a more energy-effecient life style? Or, indeed, does anyone believe that we've become a society of procrastinators who are quite happy to leave this problem to future generations?
Owen
"It's true hard work never killed anybody, but I figure, why take the chance?" - Ronald Reagan
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Cannon_Fodder
Not so Fiendish Admin
106 Posts |
Posted - 15/11/2006 : 14:13:20
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I do think this nation of people need to start taking more responsibility for their actions, we have all become apathetic with regard to making changes, whether it be large or small (I will shortly after this rant be called a hypocrite but guess I'm willing to take that) I have started to try and be more energy efficient, completely switching things off, as in at the plug rather than of or standby, any thing which can be used to reduce energy consumption is usually a good start. I think the first bit is to actually realise there is a problem and make a step towards fixing it.
It depends on what you feel you need to do and what you are able to do?
Have a few ideas, just general stuff i've been picking up from seminars/lectures I attend (researching on hydrogen storage to a "greener future" means I sit through these bits from time to time!)
I do believe we need to start acting now on this, as an aside when they first realised about the depleted hole in the ozone layer, policies started to change quite rapidly and current projections suggest the hole might be gone within 50 to 100 years, so change and action can work, the only problem where this is concerened is misinformation and disagreements among the knowledgeable community!
Matt
In Italy, for thirty years under the Borgias, they had warfare, terror, murder and bloodshed, but they produced Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and the Renaissance. In Switerzland they had brotherly love, they had five hundred years of democracy and peace, and what did they produce? The cuckoo clock
Orson Welles |
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Bels
Old Hand
15 Posts |
Posted - 23/11/2006 : 10:17:08
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basically i try to do things on a small scale and hope others do the same. I am well aware i drive everywhere and am trying to stop doind it as it is a bad thing!!! Also reuse carrier bags... bag for life it or rucksack. If you can buy everything that you can that is recycled - ie bin liners, paper, loo roll etc. TUrn of the lights and use energy saving light bulbs. When you can get double glazing (or triple) a new effciant boiler and insulation. If its cold put on a jumper not the heating. recycle all your paper, glass, plastic etc (basically most htings). When at the supermarket dont buy processed foods or things with lots of packaging. In fact try and go into town and get your stuff form the market in town. Also try buying eco-friendly products from the supermarket (eco-ver washing up liquid). Oh and when you go on a plane make a donation to the carbon trust!
These are my random ramblings - and if even half of the population took this attitude we could really start making a difference - but they i am an optimist!
It ain't no sin if you crack a few laws now and then, just so long as you don't break any |
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Cannon_Fodder
Not so Fiendish Admin
106 Posts |
Posted - 23/11/2006 : 12:24:20
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Not too crazy ramblings, although how much can individuals truly do, the changes must be national, some of my favourite ideas actually include home power generation wind or solar/photovoltaics with battery storage and can be combined to produce natural water heating too, but cost a little capital, and kinda need to be done on your own house. I believe the government may even have grants to help with it. But this is slightly larger scale, aspects of recycling are important, but don't forget that conversion in recycling requires energy and this may be detrimental, not meant as an attack, but rather an observation. Other ways forward include, hybrid cars in their myriad of existences, bio fuels, walking/cycling, public transport. But research leads the ways as well in this, developing more efficient methods of energy conversion, cleaner methods, biodegradeable packaging the list is endless where the funding goes  , But the major form of impotus should come from the governments, changes need to be made on a national scale, as you said bels you "hope" that others do the same, stark reality suggests that the majority couldn't give a rats *rse! Do things on the small scale, but look towards the big scale.
Matt
I think personally that part of the problems come from the fact that the world has become "too big" we have expanded to be less local and more multinational, and this has had several effects, including the changes in climate. But thats a discussion for the pub as to put it on th net would be hypocritical, heaven help i should be hypocritical . . .
Don't speak unless you can improve on the silence - Spanish Proverb |
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Owen
Old Hand
22 Posts |
Posted - 06/12/2006 : 16:44:14
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I'm not sure I fully agree with your last sentiment, Matt. True, our multinational corporate society can create environmental problems (along with dozens of other ethical problems that I'll reserve for future threads!), but I don't see that we're going to get anywhere when it comes to climate change unless everyone is onboard, multinationals and all.
I recently saw some figures that suggested even if the UK cut our carbon emissions completely overnight (hypothetically, of course) the predicted growth for China would counteract our cut within two years.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that regardless of how we reached our current position, the solution will require a global view.
Owen
"It's true hard work never killed anybody, but I figure, why take the chance?" - Ronald Reagan |
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Climate Change
