Comments on: Response: Global Warming http://toosigma.com/archive/2008-04-02/response-global-warming/ far from normal Tue, 06 Jan 2009 05:18:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: BJ http://toosigma.com/archive/2008-04-02/response-global-warming/comment-page-1/#comment-1401 BJ Fri, 04 Apr 2008 14:09:31 +0000 http://toosigma.com/archive/2008-04-02/response-global-warming/#comment-1401 I'm generally opposed to large-scale initiatives that lack universal coverage - like the Kyoto Protocols. It's a good idea, but poorly executed. It may not be fair to China or India that they be forced to limit their emissions when all the developed countries had the opportunity to do so unchecked. At the time, however, no one really knew that any potential problem could exist. Without any science done on the matter, it really does seem implausible that simple human activity could result in a dramatic change in something so large and seemingly untouchable as Earth's climate. I am strongly in favor of reduced environmental impact at the personal level. I drive as seldom as possible, choosing instead to walk, bike, or take mass transit. My thermostat is set as high as possible in the summer, and as low as possible in the winter. I minimize my electricity usage by replacing incandescent bulbs, turning out lights whenever possible, and unplugging devices that don't see regular use. In addition to saving the planet, almost of all of these measures also serve to save me money - giving double incentives to continue. I've done calculations on my resource impact - figuring out approximately what percentage of Earth's resources that I consume. Despite all my efforts, if everyone in the world were to consume as I do, we'd be using more than the entire Earth's resources (but less than double). Of course, if everyone were to consume like the average American, we'd be using in excess of seven times the Earth's total resources. That degree of selfishness and pride - the assumption that we, as Americans, somehow <em>deserve</em> more resources than the rest of world - is sickening. I’m generally opposed to large-scale initiatives that lack universal coverage - like the Kyoto Protocols. It’s a good idea, but poorly executed. It may not be fair to China or India that they be forced to limit their emissions when all the developed countries had the opportunity to do so unchecked. At the time, however, no one really knew that any potential problem could exist. Without any science done on the matter, it really does seem implausible that simple human activity could result in a dramatic change in something so large and seemingly untouchable as Earth’s climate.

I am strongly in favor of reduced environmental impact at the personal level. I drive as seldom as possible, choosing instead to walk, bike, or take mass transit. My thermostat is set as high as possible in the summer, and as low as possible in the winter. I minimize my electricity usage by replacing incandescent bulbs, turning out lights whenever possible, and unplugging devices that don’t see regular use. In addition to saving the planet, almost of all of these measures also serve to save me money - giving double incentives to continue.

I’ve done calculations on my resource impact - figuring out approximately what percentage of Earth’s resources that I consume. Despite all my efforts, if everyone in the world were to consume as I do, we’d be using more than the entire Earth’s resources (but less than double). Of course, if everyone were to consume like the average American, we’d be using in excess of seven times the Earth’s total resources. That degree of selfishness and pride - the assumption that we, as Americans, somehow deserve more resources than the rest of world - is sickening.

]]> By: julia http://toosigma.com/archive/2008-04-02/response-global-warming/comment-page-1/#comment-1400 julia Thu, 03 Apr 2008 19:00:13 +0000 http://toosigma.com/archive/2008-04-02/response-global-warming/#comment-1400 While fascinating; to me the argument is moot. Why should we toss our hands to the air and act irresponsibly even if the burden of "fault" is removed from our shoulders. I was on a blind date last weekend with a dopy fellow who stated, "What does it matter if I pollute? It's just a drop in the ocean." In response to his comment I quipped, "If everyone 'drops’ in the ocean, it will turn yellow." But at the end of the day that IS the problem isn't it? Everyone drops in the ocean and points at volcanos, major industry, or even wild life (who seem to drop where ever they please). And yet Volcanoes serve a purpose, wildlife serve a purpose, even a major company has the potential to make a more positive mark on the world then most humans; humans who leave nothing behind but a scar. Instead of thinking, I can’t live my life the way that I want to with out causing this damage. Maybe we should embrace Zen self loathing enough to ask, what do I do that gives me this Privilege, the right to live this way, am I living up to my responsibility, or am I shitting in my plate and blaming the spaghetti monster? I love writing sermons. While fascinating; to me the argument is moot. Why should we toss our hands to the air and act irresponsibly even if the burden of “fault” is removed from our shoulders. I was on a blind date last weekend with a dopy fellow who stated, “What does it matter if I pollute? It’s just a drop in the ocean.” In response to his comment I quipped, “If everyone ‘drops’ in the ocean, it will turn yellow.”

But at the end of the day that IS the problem isn’t it? Everyone drops in the ocean and points at volcanos, major industry, or even wild life (who seem to drop where ever they please).

And yet Volcanoes serve a purpose, wildlife serve a purpose, even a major company has the potential to make a more positive mark on the world then most humans; humans who leave nothing behind but a scar.

Instead of thinking, I can’t live my life the way that I want to with out causing this damage. Maybe we should embrace Zen self loathing enough to ask, what do I do that gives me this Privilege, the right to live this way, am I living up to my responsibility, or am I shitting in my plate and blaming the spaghetti monster?

I love writing sermons.

]]>