<![CDATA[Grist - Comment Feed for A guest essay]]> Grist Comment Feed en Comment #1 by JMG http://www.grist.org/article/coal-is-the-enemy-of-the-human-race-james-hansen-edition/ Thu, 12 Jul 2007 07:49:51 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/coal-is-the-enemy-of-the-human-race-james-hansen-edition/1 OT nit with respect to coal

I'd rein it in to stop its reign so that we don't drown in acid rain ...

(Meet my cat, Peeve.)

Save the world: Reduce greenhouse gas emissions 5% annually.

]]> OT nit with respect to coal

I'd rein it in to stop its reign so that we don't drown in acid rain ...

(Meet my cat, Peeve.)

Save the world: Reduce greenhouse gas emissions 5% annually.

]]> Comment #2 by katwink http://www.grist.org/article/coal-is-the-enemy-of-the-human-race-james-hansen-edition/ Thu, 12 Jul 2007 08:48:24 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/coal-is-the-enemy-of-the-human-race-james-hansen-edition/2 Additional moratoriums

Humanity also needs to put a moratorium on new construction permits (homes and businesses) that do not include energy saving technologies and transportation packages that do not include mass transit options and incentives.
Without serious, immediate changes in energy consumption - well, you all know the potential consequences.
I'm grateful James Hanson persists in broadcasting the science and its implications.

]]> Additional moratoriums

Humanity also needs to put a moratorium on new construction permits (homes and businesses) that do not include energy saving technologies and transportation packages that do not include mass transit options and incentives.
Without serious, immediate changes in energy consumption - well, you all know the potential consequences.
I'm grateful James Hanson persists in broadcasting the science and its implications.

]]> Comment #3 by SustainableGreen http://www.grist.org/article/coal-is-the-enemy-of-the-human-race-james-hansen-edition/ Thu, 12 Jul 2007 09:08:49 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/coal-is-the-enemy-of-the-human-race-james-hansen-edition/3 We Must Go Further

Hey, all:

Yes, this is not a "birth" issue but a "death" issue.  Coal is highly destructive TO START WITH, ignoring CO2 as an end product.  Huge production subsidies, externalized costs of all kinds: pollution, health, loss of habitat, goddam stinking mountain top removal, all STILL STRONGLY indicate what the title states, but which is then ignored.

COAL is the ENEMY of the PEOPLE.  Sequestration is  an attempt at dragging out Big Coal's hold on energy.  'Clean Coal' is pure marketing PR bullshit hype.  Hire people in the Coal Belt to assemble PV panels and wind turbines.  

NO COAL.  WE must do better. We must go further.

David
Sustainability For Life

Messages done with sustainable energy, with Wind and Sun!  


]]> We Must Go Further

Hey, all:

Yes, this is not a "birth" issue but a "death" issue.  Coal is highly destructive TO START WITH, ignoring CO2 as an end product.  Huge production subsidies, externalized costs of all kinds: pollution, health, loss of habitat, goddam stinking mountain top removal, all STILL STRONGLY indicate what the title states, but which is then ignored.

COAL is the ENEMY of the PEOPLE.  Sequestration is  an attempt at dragging out Big Coal's hold on energy.  'Clean Coal' is pure marketing PR bullshit hype.  Hire people in the Coal Belt to assemble PV panels and wind turbines.  

NO COAL.  WE must do better. We must go further.

David
Sustainability For Life

Messages done with sustainable energy, with Wind and Sun!  


]]> Comment #4 by GreyFlcn http://www.grist.org/article/coal-is-the-enemy-of-the-human-race-james-hansen-edition/ Thu, 12 Jul 2007 11:12:56 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/coal-is-the-enemy-of-the-human-race-james-hansen-edition/4 Has anyone ever totaled up

Has anyone ever totaled up all the monetary subsidies given towards coal?

Yearly, and Decadaly.

]]> Has anyone ever totaled up

Has anyone ever totaled up all the monetary subsidies given towards coal?

Yearly, and Decadaly.

]]> Comment #5 by Kelly http://www.grist.org/article/coal-is-the-enemy-of-the-human-race-james-hansen-edition/ Fri, 13 Jul 2007 04:38:14 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/coal-is-the-enemy-of-the-human-race-james-hansen-edition/5 Some suggestions for Hansen

As someone who as been doing organizing around energy issues for the last couple years, a few thoughts from my own experience.

1. There are young people, some of them very young, who do care about global warming and are trying to take action. Here's a link to a picture of one.

http://kdfuller.blogspot.com/2007/04/global-warming-day-o ...

I've found it helpful to acknowledge them so they don't feel ignored when older people talk about trying to get more young people to take action.

No one likes being told what their rallying issue should be. People like to figure that out for themselves. They respond better if you tell them that you want to give them information about something that is a threat to them. Most people need time before becoming activists, and there is no getting around that, no matter the urgency of the cause.

Use the narrow focus most people have to the advantage of the cause. I think it would be more effective to state the threat in local terms, not just planetary terms. A lot more people care about what will happen to specific places they love in their own area and their ability to buy themselves and their future children food than about the planet in general.

Granted, that's difficult for generalists such as Hansen, but others working with him could go that route.

]]> Some suggestions for Hansen

As someone who as been doing organizing around energy issues for the last couple years, a few thoughts from my own experience.

1. There are young people, some of them very young, who do care about global warming and are trying to take action. Here's a link to a picture of one.

http://kdfuller.blogspot.com/2007/04/global-warming-day-o ...

I've found it helpful to acknowledge them so they don't feel ignored when older people talk about trying to get more young people to take action.

No one likes being told what their rallying issue should be. People like to figure that out for themselves. They respond better if you tell them that you want to give them information about something that is a threat to them. Most people need time before becoming activists, and there is no getting around that, no matter the urgency of the cause.

Use the narrow focus most people have to the advantage of the cause. I think it would be more effective to state the threat in local terms, not just planetary terms. A lot more people care about what will happen to specific places they love in their own area and their ability to buy themselves and their future children food than about the planet in general.

Granted, that's difficult for generalists such as Hansen, but others working with him could go that route.

]]> Comment #6 by norsk http://www.grist.org/article/coal-is-the-enemy-of-the-human-race-james-hansen-edition/ Fri, 13 Jul 2007 10:03:56 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/coal-is-the-enemy-of-the-human-race-james-hansen-edition/6 But who will turn their OWN lights off to help?

I don't like coal much either, but since it produces over 50% of the electricity in the US and over 95% in the west where I live, going cold turkey ALSO means turning off a lot of lights.

I put up my own money and built my own solar generator and now produce 25% of my electric needs. In time I will produce more, but it still takes a lot of oil and coal to build those solar panels I need to buy.

Who will cut their OWN power consumption of coal fed electricity right now to help stop the burning of coal?

I don't see many hands

]]> But who will turn their OWN lights off to help?

I don't like coal much either, but since it produces over 50% of the electricity in the US and over 95% in the west where I live, going cold turkey ALSO means turning off a lot of lights.

I put up my own money and built my own solar generator and now produce 25% of my electric needs. In time I will produce more, but it still takes a lot of oil and coal to build those solar panels I need to buy.

Who will cut their OWN power consumption of coal fed electricity right now to help stop the burning of coal?

I don't see many hands

]]> Comment #7 by SustainableGreen http://www.grist.org/article/coal-is-the-enemy-of-the-human-race-james-hansen-edition/ Fri, 13 Jul 2007 10:42:50 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/coal-is-the-enemy-of-the-human-race-james-hansen-edition/7 Heh heh heh--Alas I can't--already done it.

Hey, all:

Hey, Norsk:  I applaud your solar generator.  It has been pointed out in other threads that we need to brag when we have done good, like I gotta be told, as I am one who lives off-grid with Wind and Sun for electricity and sun for water heat.  Combined, ~98% of my home energy needs are sustainably produced.  

I have never, nor will I do so now, say that this is the solution for all.  But millions can purchase PV panels and have them installed, plus solar domestic water heat is also and easy step.  In fact, domestic solar water heat is maybe one of the most cost effective.  Water heat not coal?  Odds are high it still isn't sustainable, anyway.  

Many states have incentives, there are federal tax rebates, and utilities have policies for sustainables.  

If this is not practical, look for a utility provider who certifies availability of sustainable energy.  Shop around.  

You do bring up the single best thing each of us  can do:  direct individual action to change our lifestyles.  Very good.

David
Sustainability For Life

Messages done with sustainable energy, with Wind and Sun!    

]]> Heh heh heh--Alas I can't--already done it.

Hey, all:

Hey, Norsk:  I applaud your solar generator.  It has been pointed out in other threads that we need to brag when we have done good, like I gotta be told, as I am one who lives off-grid with Wind and Sun for electricity and sun for water heat.  Combined, ~98% of my home energy needs are sustainably produced.  

I have never, nor will I do so now, say that this is the solution for all.  But millions can purchase PV panels and have them installed, plus solar domestic water heat is also and easy step.  In fact, domestic solar water heat is maybe one of the most cost effective.  Water heat not coal?  Odds are high it still isn't sustainable, anyway.  

Many states have incentives, there are federal tax rebates, and utilities have policies for sustainables.  

If this is not practical, look for a utility provider who certifies availability of sustainable energy.  Shop around.  

You do bring up the single best thing each of us  can do:  direct individual action to change our lifestyles.  Very good.

David
Sustainability For Life

Messages done with sustainable energy, with Wind and Sun!    

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