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Time's Up!
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‘To be or not to be’ Life on Earth is the question. Whether we – our generation – can undo the damage done by centuries of exploitation of ‘our planet’. No matter whether you believe in science or religion, in the context of the size and history of the universe, Life on Earth is but ‘a miracle’ and the clock is ticking to countdown.
What do you think of Man’s prospects on ‘our planet’ for the future? Can we can own something we depend on for survival? Earth seems to be a pretty good planet to live on and the alternatives don’t look too great… is there time left, or is it already too late???
Peace,
Jenny
by
Jenny Lynn Walker
at
Wed Jun 04 11:08:53 UTC 2008
(ed. Aug 2 2008)
Arusha,
Tanzania
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Just woke from a night long marathon of dreaming about survival on a post-shit hit the fan-earth..and it wasn’t easy, or fun. The chickens survived, so at least there were eggs.
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i have pumped up, and as i type i am in the process of wearing out my bicycle’s tires…
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Jenny….
ok, so last night Marina and i had our Tuesday night 2 1/2 hr meditation and the teacher spoke about equanimity…so…to answer your question: “is there time left?”…
there will always be time and when there is no longer time for this, there will be time for something new…
a quote, for calm :))
May all sentient beings have happiness and its causes,
May all sentient beings be free of suffering and its causes,
May all sentient beings never be separated from bliss without suffering,
May all sentient beings be in equanimity, free of bias, attachment and anger.
The Buddha taught the following to his son Rahula (from “Old path white clouds” by Thich Nhat Hahn):
“Rahula, practice loving kindness to overcome anger. Loving kindness has the capacity to bring happiness to others without demanding anything in return.
Practice compassion to overcome cruelty. Compassion has the capacity to remove the suffering of others without expecting anything in return.
Practice sympathetic joy to overcome hatred. Sympathetic joy arises when one rejoices over the happiness of others and wishes others well-being and success.
Practice non-attachment to overcome prejudice. Non-attachment is the way of looking at all things openly and equally. This is because that is. Myself and others are not separate. Do not reject one thing only to chase after another.
I call these the four immeasurables. Practice them and you will become a refreshing source of vitality and happiness for others.”
cheers
running
b
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Not sure of “undo” is the word I would use, maybe repair. I think the first act is to curb our enthusiasm for over-exploitation. And I don’t mean by just buying eco-products, I mean by massive changes. I work at lot on ocean ecosystem issues. There’s an idea that’s been floating around betweeen scientists, NGOs and governments of “marine reserves” – essentially massive no-take areas where the food chain and overall ecosystem can replenish itself without interference. Of course fish don’t understand geographical boundaries like sanctuaries, so after safely breeding in the marine reserves, they will wander back out again to the other 60% where it’s possible to fish, sustainably.
In terms of climate change – I think regardless how much of the more alarmist visions its effects are, it’s simply good practice to reduce pollution, in every sense, whether its through emissions or toxic waste, etc.
The fact of the matter is that we’re going to have to adapt to a changing planet. Humans are very adaptable – it’s arguable that our very adaptability is what has gotten us in the shit in the first place. But we should clean up our act in the meantime.
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jenny,
personally,i feel that the biggest problem,in the ‘west’,anyway,is that people are no longer prepared to take responsibility for their actions.the ramifications of this are obvious,and all around us.
is the planet fucked beyond repair? i don’t know,but a few years back i spent a lot of time with the makonde,in southern tanzania and northern mozambique.i have a vivid memory of sitting one evening,overlooking an idyllic bay with the locals.one of them turned to me,pointed at the(to my eyes),perfect ocean,and started a long diatribe about how the pollution was ruining everything! that got me thinking,i can tell you.if these people,cut almost entirely off from the world,could see the problem,then it really did exist.
now i live on the side of a large hill/small mountain and grow most of my own food,have goats and chickens and a pig.you start to see the world in a different light when you can feed yourself,and don’t have to rely on others.it also makes the over exploitation of the natural resources a real thing.if i cut down too many trees or use too much water,i am not only cutting my throat,but my neighbours as well.
as the ghanains say,’one man ,no chop"
i read what scientists say,but i don’t always trust them! too many vested interests in the scientific world leads too a lot of contradictions of the evidence.
there are two novels i have read that deal the future/eco-disasters etc.
one is ken kesey’s ‘sailor song’,a brilliant analysis of survival after the infra-structure collapses.
the other is michel houllebecqs scabrous and depressing book about our societies moral selfishness and subsequent evolution,‘atomised’
two very polarised views,but both contain a lot of food for thought.
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dave,
i have :)
the words ‘pot’ and ‘kettle’ spring to mind!
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We’ll sort it out. Just listen to the youngsters. Most of them are really fired up on these issues and are so, so smart and interconnected that the momentum for change and sensible progress is entirely unstoppable. We have extreme difficulty ahead, no doubt, but there’s no going back. We are marching rapidly towards a global understanding of the issues that face us all. It’s a species issue and it’s only as a collective that we can begin to tackle these issues but it’s happening. I HAVE TO BELIEVE THAT. WE ALL DO.
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We’ll sort it out? My generation was pretty fired up too, and while certainly one can point to changes, I dont think we are anywhere near “sorting it out.” plus ça change . . . Also, I think if you work in the third world, as i do, and see the conflict between the pressing need and greedy desire to develop vs. the need for responsible management of resources, preservation, and respect for the environment, well you get a very different and much less rosy picture . . .
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I think those people who experience a change of climate due to global warming are farmers.
You do experience extreme weather conditions from time to time, but when the farmers have to switch to a different crop, climate change is real. I`ve read that in Japan, regional farmers switch to different strains of products to survive. Presumably, since Japan is surrounded by the ocean, climate change on land due to the raising of ocean temperatures is keenly felt.
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I don’t live in the Third World but have spent quite a lot of time in Africa. My experiences suggest optimism. Despite all the terrible shit that continues to take place.
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Wish I could share that optimism, Paul, but i find it very hard to do so after working for so many years in great depth on this issue of development vs the environment. One of the projects I am considering is a photo book (or website) on this very theme as it relates to Latin America. Here in DR is one of the top ten worst environmental disaster sites globally — that started me off, and of course we have deforestation in both DR and Haiti. The project is tentatively called “Pacha Mama” — a nod to the concept of Mother Earth and the ancient idea of natural cosmos — that rather than view the world as a tool which we wield for our own good, we view ourselves as part of a system much larger than ourselves and our needs, and that maintaining a healthy relation within that system is the key to growth and happiness. . . . . .
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i am still riding my bicycle…
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When I searched the Internet in Japanese with global warming and agricultural products, I`ve found that a Japanese doctor in Afghanistan has been expressing a view that the most serious problem facing Afghanistan is not war with the Taliban, but the effects of global warning there. He has worked in getting water to the farmland, and is protesting that the Taliban is part of the native Afghan farmers and the work of the ISAF is really misguided.
If anyone is interested in this issue, I could do more searches in Japanese to find out more about this.
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discovered the other day that i get across town faster on my bicycle as i would have in my diesel car…
no parking problems either…
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not an optimist… very few people doubt that the global warming is happening and it is a serious (alarming) issue, scientists are more or less on the same page, united in opinion more than on any other issue, yet… the cities will dissapear and this can lead to dozens of million of people to be on the move looking for a new home. no one is talking about this, the biggest issue. apparently, it takes 200 000 refuges to result in a war (or a conflict)… but we are talking millions as a consequence of the global warming… nothing will sort itself out…until shit hits the fan. that’s how we are.
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I guess I’m some sort of gritty realist, but it’s my interminable optimism that gets me through day by day. I had a conversation with some NYC cooler-than-cool photographer last year who asked me if I thought I was wasting my time doing environmental work. He suggested it would be “more fun to just push everything to the limit, to see what’s happening”.
He obviously had issues that were beyond my scope.
On the other hand, it’s very easy to fall into a complacency of self-gratification, where overall end result of one’s work, or the part of a greater work that one does is almost irrelevant – but if you feel you’re doing something good, then the world should reward you. “Look at me, I’m saving the planet!”
The reality is less romantic, and potential success in effecting change less immediately gratifying. Alas, despite the global footprint of almost every “western” person, we are very bad at understanding consequences beyond our own doorsteps. We’ve got to educate the kids to thing bigger!
This is a good thread, Jenny, thanks for posting it. It’s given me lots of food for thought.
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Who screwed up the formatting?
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Dave. Made the mistake of leaving a stupid space before the “On” in “[space]On the other hand..” (Edit: he fixed it.)
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Jesus, that’s a bit volatile! :D
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I think everyone has to do what they can and start NOW! Don’t wait for government, institutions, NGO’s or whatever to initiate, begin with yourself, your family, your community. Be the change! What I’ve noticed is that some of the lifestyle changes I’ve made are actually healthier for me and for the planet. You will actually feel better. Grow a sustainable garden. Ride your bike. Walk. Recycle. I think there is so much information on the subject that it can be overwhelming. Start simple and basic.
Just so you know, last year we initiated a sustainable garden, to encourage bees, as bee populations are declining. (how basic is that!)
I rode my bike over 3 thousand kilometers from Sept though May to my Mon through Friday language commitment. I bought some very durable weather gear, have some durable saddle bags, did my grocery shopping, studying, etc.. all on my bicycle and the wonderful thing about it was that I stayed warmer and the bicycling helped me acclimatize to the winters that Germany is known for. I also am a recycling nut. If cannot recycle it, I don’t buy it. If I can’t composte it, I don’t buy it. I support local farming. I buy what the farmers have in season and plan meals accordingly. I also did most of my photo work here via my bicycle.
I’m not trying to toot my horn here, but just want to point out the basic everyday changes that you/we can do to assuage the angst, the fear, the enormity of it all.
An inspiration to me is Wangari Maathai. An incredible interview with her on Democracy NOW http://www.democracynow.org/2007/10/1/unbowed_nobel_peace_laureate_wangari_maathai
Do something. Basic. Simple. Do it now.
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hay ana i will look out for you on your bicycle too. i like your basic approach to this. i try to deal with life a day at a time, natural light in the office, batch the trips i make in the car, hay we even have a vegatable patch in the garden. as you say we can make a difference on our own level.
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Hi all,
Thanks for your responses so far.
Erica: according to science, the most likely lifeform to survive is the cockroach!
John: Even if all the concerned individuals worldwide were to stop using cars and put on bicycle clips, do you think it would be enough? I’m cycling around too but I’m not sure it’s helping a great deal in the grand scheme…
Bob: When the Buddha was a live, we didn’t have mass consumption on the scale we have now or global warming or forests being decimated or oceans being polluted until they’re toxic. Yes, I guess it is always best to keep calm and I hope you are right that there will be something else in store – even if it is just a better life for chickens as Erica dreamt! I’ll continue to work on the loving kindness though cos even if time is up, it will be a far more peaceful world in the interim…
Dave: Perhaps we can grow fins and live on marine reserves and simply wear diving apparatus 24/7? But what about all the other species? Perhaps someone will come up with a 21st century ark?! (Probably a spaceship to a space station with a select pairs of species in it) I don’t know the figures, but I do know and believe that species on Earth are dying out at a unprescedented rate.
Stupid Photographer: Thanks for the links. I will try to read them when I get a moment. We have no water or electricity supplies where I’m living so life is a as much of a challenge as I can cope with right now – but perhaps it’s good training for the ‘flexibility’ that Dave was talking about. But it takes a lot of time and energy to carry water in buckets into home and troop around trying to find somewhere to plug the laptop in. I’m on the middle floor so it’s 300Tsh per gerry can, those on the top floors have to pay 600Tsh! When the desertification kicks in globally, we’ll be fighting wars over water no doubt…
Michael wrote: “Personally, I feel that the biggest problem, in the ‘west’, anyway, is that people are no longer prepared to take responsibility for their actions. The ramifications of this are obvious, and all around us.” I’m totally with you and think that there are millions around the world who agree – especially the penniless and those whose natural resources are being exploited to fuel the developed world’s ‘consumer needs/business interests’.
Peace,
Jenny
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Paul: I’ve been thinking about these issues for 20 years – I studied the Environment and green issues at college – and I agree that people are far more clued up on the issues than they were back then, jobs in the field were like gold-dust when I graduated. Yes, we do have to remain positive and no doubt science will provide solutions to some of the problems, but do you think being clued up is enough with the amount of natural resources required to fuel the developed world’s consumpution – and the developing world’s desire to develop in the same way?
Jon: Yes, Gaia is the name for Mother Earth in the English language or used to be and much has been written about us and our connection as a species to a living, breathing planet: Earth. Few peoples have developed cultures that maintain a sustainable lifestyle and live in ‘harmony’ with it. Unfortunately there is little respect for those cultures – the majority have been exterminated. They live each day with a thought not just for ‘now’ but for future generations… and yet, they are widely regarded as ‘primitive’! Have you heard of Survival International – its a UK organization that campaigns for their rights.
Tomoko: Wow, I hadn’t heard about that – I didn’t realise that the changes had gone that far. It would be an interesting topic for someone to follow worldwide – how farmers are having to adapt to climate change. Thanks for that.
Velibor wrote: “Apparently, it takes 200 000 refuges to result in a war (or a conflict)… but we are talking millions as a consequence of the global warming… nothing will sort itself out…until shit hits the fan. That’s how we are.” Yes millions will be affected so I don’t think buying a bicycle will help much – it will be just another product purchased and take up yet more natural resources.
We need new global economic systems to sort this out.
Jenny
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Jenny,
I decided to check up on the global warming and farmers` switching to a different agricultural product. What I found on the Internet and might be possible to photograph are:
In Ehime Prefecture their Japanese orange (mikan) have developed problems in their quality, so they are switching to foreign oranges. I think I first learned about it on Japanese TV, probably in February or March when I was in Tokyo.
Other global warming phenomena in Japan:
fall colors in Kyoto shifted from November to December, a rise in temperature amounts to about 2 degrees Celcius in 100 years.
Ezoshika, (deer native to Hokkaido), has increased in their population and is causing damages among crops, etc. Temperature rise in Hokkaido is said to be 4 degrees!
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Ana: Great. Your daily routine is inspiring, and from what I understand, Germany has had extremely good recycling facilities for many years. I was practising a policy of no plastic bags to start out here but it is difficult to keep up when there is plastic everywhere on the streets and every item purchased in the local shops is put into plastic. Zanzibar, and most of the developing world, could do with some recycling facilities as soon as possible…
Tomoko: Sounds like a good start. I’ve sent you a PM.
Bjorn/Stupid Photographers: Provide clean drining water and sanitation and just ignore the mass consumption that demands continuing exploitation of resources in these countries and leads to continued poverty and wars? Perhaps it is time for those who consume most to foot the real cost for each item consumed? I wonder how that true cost could be measured to include the loss of human life, future generations, untold species and damage to the environment to countries and peoples around the world?
Peace and love to all!
Jenny
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Bjørn Lomborg suggests providing clean drinking water and sanitation to all as the first thing to do, certainly not as the only one. I posted the links to what he has to say, which answers much of what you ask, way better than I stupidly could.
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Jenny,
I have not received a PM from you. Please check to see you still have a sent PM to me. For yesterday and today, LS is acting up with 504 Gateway problems frequently.
I posted the specific examples here because I hoped that some LSers in Japan would be able to pick them up. I am based in Baltimore, Maryland, USA until I cross the Atlantic pond to relocate myself in Austria, which I hope to be before the end of this summer.
I think Japan has experienced several indices of global warming early because it is an island nation stretching from north to south. As I understand it, the North Pole has registered temperatures 5 degress Celcius higher than the average of the past 100 years. The temperature rise experienced by Hokkaido, the northernmost island in Japan, is 4 degrees Celcius. The northernmost city on Hokkaido is located 45 degrees Latitude while Ehime Prefecture which experienced only 2 degrees Celcius of temperature rise is located about 33 degrees Latitude.
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Hi Tomoko,
I’m also experiencing problems at this end both finding posts and sending messages. I don’t know if it relates to the Gateway problems – I’m unable to get to posts on the LS home page other than by putting in key words from the opening statement in the ‘search for post’ box.
I’ll try again. Thanks,
Jenny
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Stupid Photographer: Perhaps I should have separated my comment from the thanks – I’m having to rush off replies for a number of reasons. Sorry about that. I hope others will also benefit from the content of this post and people’s thoughts on the topic as well as from the links.
I’m interested to know what photographers think on this topic and the more positive spin-offs from it’s existence the better. Tomoko thinks there’s an opportunity for a story for photographers on global warming in Japan, then there’s the possibility that that story could develop into something bigger and the links will no doubt help in that too so thanks a lot!!!
Peace,
Jenny
Peace and thanks again!
Jenny
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Jenny,
I got your PM. Those specific things I mentioned in my post above were taken from the Internet. I will repost them in a new thread once I find the original in Japanese later.
Yesterday I had more time in front of the computer due to weather we had. A threatening thunderstorm did not materialize in my area until last evening after the warning had expired! Today it is a perfect day to do a check up on what the storm has left and other errands.
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Since you say you wish to know what photographers think, I’ll have my stupid say.
First of all, because I’m 99% digital, I now feel a lot better about our photo industry, which once upon a time, less than twenty years ago, was the #1 contributor of heavy metal refuse polluting all water. Now, everywhere I go, air is cleaner than it was when I was born. So is water. I can fish where I never dared to swim, a couple of decades ago. My car runs cleaner and solar powers many of my needs. I’m healthier at my age than my parents were. I plan to out-live them by at least two decades. I have not been to a hospital in ages, relying instead on an extensive support network of alternative medicine which did not exist ten years ago. Same goes for my immediate and extended family. Organic food is plentiful these days, even in stores where ten years ago, “organic” was a filthy word. Everyone I know is concerned about the environment and tries to do their best to make a positive difference. Even publicity seeking, hand over foot, skyscraper climbers now do it “for the environment.” Right. I’ll buy that. Give me two while you’re at it, I’m stupid.
More time and money gets flushed down the drain talking about global warming and the environment in general — instead of doing anything — than any other issue of which I can think.
Malaria? Never heard of it. AIDS? Screw it, who cares? More Polar Bears get shot each year — legally — than drown or starve, due to climate change.
Want to make a REAL difference? Great! Share a positive story. Create a positive movement. Bring REAL solutions.
Otherwise, been there, done that, heard it, saw it, felt it, wept, got over it, movin’ on, yacking about how bad it could get sure as hell won’t do any good now, without bringing solutions.
Need I go on? Didn’t think so. Listen to Bjørn, he’s much better looking than I am, and has a sexier accent to boot.
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the late great freddy once sang
“i want to ride my bicycle, i want to ride it where i like”
i think that each of us must just do what we think we must, my wife thinks i am a bit nuts braving south africa’s taxis on the roads here on my bicycle. me, as the late great fred said… j
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As Jenny suggested by PM, I posted on global warming trends in Japan.
While those are three cases I have found easily, I am aware that the skiing industry in Japan is suffering from the lack of snow due to global warming. Some people predict that skiing will become only possible at higher elevations in Europe and it might become extinct in 30-40 years.
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for a while there i wondered if i needed snow chains… at my altitude the way things are going maybe an inflated tyre around my waist may be a good idea.
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Tomoko: Thanks. I’ve sent you another PM.
Stupid Photographer and John: Thanks for sharing your perspectives.
Peace,
Jenny
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Jenny,
I got your PM. There are tons of articles/features on global warming and the skiing industry. The one I am linking is a 2005 Guardian article.
The skiing industry wanted to build a resort at a higher elevation, but the environmentalist is against it. The skiing industry needs to unite to slow the global warming which threatens the industry.
Here is the ABC news coverage of a dire prediction to the skiing industry in the US.
My personal thoughts are not optimistic regarding the skiing industry angle to highlight global warming problems. Since skiing is an expensive hobby, only the wealthy can afford it. In order to reduce greenhouse effects, various industries and people (developed countries, autos are the culprits used by inviduals. People don`t change habits unless they are forced to.
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Tomoko: I think until businesses are required to price goods at a level that reflects the true environmental cost, the problems will continue to escalate. Re. the skiing angle however, the wealthy comprise many with the most clout.
Legislation, enforcement and fines get people to stick to rules although none of us like them! Some countries are well placed to set good examples – where ever Stupid Photographer is living for example – and encourage others to do the same.
Peace,
Jenny
PS I can’t do any research here. Do you know of any stories that have been published on the effects on other species? No doubt there are organizations monitoring the changes and/or adaptations/extinctions of various species around the world, you mentioned deer populations as one example. Since it seems we are the only two people reading this thread, perhaps best stick to PMs?
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hi jenny and tomoko
please keep this an open post, though i have a “view” from my bicycle, this issue is very close to my heart, the bicycle is an answer for me and living in a country that has a car culture that is linked to status, which i don’t think the country can afford anymore.
j
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Jenny,
The wealthy also have feet with money, and they may opt to higher elevation for their skiing enjoyment rather than turning to environmental politics to effect a change.
I have come to this assessment through my marketing of my photography in a county in the state of Virginia which is said to be in the highest income bracket in the US. People with money have more options than those without.
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Tomoko,
Yes, and the wealthy also have children and grandchildren they care about and if they love skiing will be pretty sad if, as a sport, it dies out in less than a generation.
John: This issue is as close to my heart as any issue can get – it is IN my EVERY photograph. But that needs explaining and the electricity is just about to black out!
Tutonana badaai! Talk later,
Jenny
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John: Thanks for the link to the article UN: Conflicts being fuelled by climate change in the Guardian June 17, 2008 (today). Particularly interesting to read Antonio Guterres, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, saying: “Climate change is today one of the main drivers of forced displacement, both directly through impact on environment — not allowing people to live any more in the areas where they were traditionally living — and as a trigger of extreme poverty and conflict.”
and also:
“…more and more people feel threatened by …. nature and nature’s RETALIATION against human aggression”
interesting to conceive of nature as ‘retaliating’. i think of nature as always ‘giving’ – that is only our mistreatment of the planet that is now resulting in growing numbers of natural disasters, increasing displacement of peoples, and as time goes on in the proliferation of conflicts… akin to symptoms of a serious illness, potentially as warning signals or perhaps as a precursor to the extinction of all that has been given life on Earth’s outer skin…
Peace,
Jenny
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For myself, global warming has become more significant after two consecutive heat waves I experienced without the benefit of air conditioning in Europe during the last two years.
Here in the US a number of us have air conditioners or even central air. In such circumstances, you would not worry about the extreme greenhouse effects.
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Stupid your love of Bjørn amazes me, he is just a one man band in the fight against thousands of scientist who have agreed overwhelming that climate change is anthropogenic.
http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/306/5702/1686
He is also a statistician not a biologist or a climatologist, so i think his points on climate change have about as much weight as my advice on nuclear physics.
Yes the snowline is rising and glaciers are shrinking which is very worrying as I am a skier and climber myself, ski resorts will expand there is to much money involved for the industry to role over and die, this will result in resorts going higher and clearing more forest which is a great concern.
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If you read or listened to Bjørn, you would know that he is not denying climate change. Quite the contrary. He became vocal because he was an engaged environmentalist. That is why he has also became the most heard voice saying we have to get our priorities in order, and focus our resources where they are most needed. That’s all I care about. I don’t love the man, I simply agree that we should do first, what needs to get done first. The floods in the Midwest being a perfect example, hurricanes another.
My own stupid, personal, non-Bjørn view? Instead of sweating the climate which has always been way over our collective heads, we need to deal with the catastrophic crisis created by the fact that our planet’s wealth (as well as control of how our resources are utilized) is flowing into the hands of the richest 3%.
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I am sorry if it goes against the agenda of the discussion now. I just want to voice it: You can live bodily still dead at heart.
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I had never heard of Bjorn Lomborg before, so I googled his name. This site gives information on this young man.
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Hmmmm…. I’ve just had a quick look at Bjorn Lomborg whose background is in politics and statistics (neither in environment or science interestingly) and whose 2007 book has been deemed by a scientific body/authority in his homeland Denmark as being scientifically ‘dishonest’ and have come to the conclusion that he’s exceptionally good at marketing! I can’t agree with his basic premise that “the pollution problem comes from poverty” (but that needs qualifying of course) however, I like his stance on focusing on and aiding the developing world.
On the matter of his basic premise being wrong in my opinion, I think those who live in the developed world simply prefer not to make the connection between consumerism ‘in the northern hemisphere’ and the human and environmental consequences in the developing world. Lomborg frames an answer to the question in a way that does address some of the consequences, but does not address the root problem – the one that in his own hemisphere has, over an extended period, led to global warming.
Peace,
Jenny
PS Scientists say Lomborg’s statistical analyses are based on extremely low estimates that may be as much as 50% beneath true values which mean that the whole basis of his argument is flawed. But, I see where he’s coming from and probably headed for: politics.
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I’m certainly not going to stupidly argue with any of that and instead defer to your expert conclusions.
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Personally, I think nothing short of witch hunts will do. No burning at the stupid stake though, not green.
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Stupid Photographer: Sorry if my answer came across as arrogant – I guess this is something I feel strongly about. My conclusions on Lomborg are based on reading the material you gave us access to on this thread.
Have a great day!
Jenny
Tomoko: Thanks for the link.
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Tomoko: I just read the article and it’s taken my breath away… i think it’s really important so have copied it onto this thread… crimes against humanity ‘and NATURE’!… yes, yes, yes!… and a crime against future generations too!…
Peace,
Jenny
PS It would be great if someone would put this article on the alerts section… please!
Ed Pilkington in New York The Guardian, Monday June 23, 2008
Article history
James Hansen, one of the world’s leading climate scientists, will today call for the chief executives of large fossil fuel companies to be put on trial for high crimes against humanity and nature, accusing them of actively spreading doubt about global warming in the same way that tobacco companies blurred the links between smoking and cancer.
Hansen will use the symbolically charged 20th anniversary of his groundbreaking speech (pdf) to the US Congress – in which he was among the first to sound the alarm over the reality of global warming – to argue that radical steps need to be taken immediately if the “perfect storm” of irreversible climate change is not to become inevitable.
Speaking before Congress again, he will accuse the chief executive officers of companies such as ExxonMobil and Peabody Energy of being fully aware of the disinformation about climate change they are spreading.
In an interview with the Guardian he said: “When you are in that kind of position, as the CEO of one the primary players who have been putting out misinformation even via organisations that affect what gets into school textbooks, then I think that’s a crime.”
He is also considering personally targeting members of Congress who have a poor track record on climate change in the coming November elections. He will campaign to have several of them unseated. Hansen’s speech to Congress on June 23 1988 is seen as a seminal moment in bringing the threat of global warming to the public’s attention. At a time when most scientists were still hesitant to speak out, he said the evidence of the greenhouse gas effect was 99% certain, adding “it is time to stop waffling”.
He will tell the House select committee on energy independence and global warming this afternoon that he is now 99% certain that the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere has already risen beyond the safe level.
The current concentration is 385 parts per million and is rising by 2ppm a year. Hansen, who heads Nasa’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies in New York, says 2009 will be a crucial year, with a new US president and talks on how to follow the Kyoto agreement.
He wants to see a moratorium on new coal-fired power plants, coupled with the creation of a huge grid of low-loss electric power lines buried under ground and spread across America, in order to give wind and solar power a chance of competing. “The new US president would have to take the initiative analogous to Kennedy’s decision to go to the moon.”
His sharpest words are reserved for the special interests he blames for public confusion about the nature of the global warming threat. “The problem is not political will, it’s the alligator shoes – the lobbyists. It’s the fact that money talks in Washington, and that democracy is not working the way it’s intended to work.”
A group seeking to increase pressure on international leaders is launching a campaign today called 350.org. It is taking out full-page adverts in papers such as the New York Times and the Swedish Falukuriren calling for the target level of CO2 to be lowered to 350ppm. The advert has been backed by 150 signatories, including Hansen
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what extraordinary timing with the forthcoming elections… and delivered with a stike raising a questionmark over US democracy to boot!… what a challenge for any incoming president to face!
and what a mess our species is creating on this planet!!!
Peace,
Jenny
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Given the new Super Earth planets discovered this past week, and the ice found on Mars, I think I’d be a stupid moron to assume this Earth is the only place with life, in the whole Universe.
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Stupid Photographer: Thanks for the links.
LS: Anyone know how to arrange for transport for all humanity and lifeforms to a planet somewhere else in the universe when this one gets too hot?
Peace,
Jenny
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Now we’re talking about life elsewhere in the universe? What a thread. I think that in as little as a decade or so we’ll come to realize that life, and possibly intelligent life, is in fact the norm and not the exception. Stands to reason. Maybe then religion will finally evaporate and leave us to get on with the business of evolving. Into what, who knows. Pacifists maybe. Can you imagine?
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