<![CDATA[Grist - Comment Feed for Green Gauge Report: Bad news]]> Grist Comment Feed en Comment #1 by Biodiversivist http://www.grist.org/article/green-gauge-report-bad-news/ Wed, 23 Nov 2005 06:36:50 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/green-gauge-report-bad-news/1 Well, on the bright side,

destruction of rainforests greatly exacerbates global warming, so in a sense, they are working at reducing global warming, which requires carbon sequestering and reduced emissions. Reducing emissions slows the amount of CO2 being put in the air, but saving rainforests not only does that, it also saves a rainforest. You get to kill two birds with one stone.

Another positive observation: While channel surfing the other day, I kept running into commercials by major corporations pandering to our environmental ethics (BP, Ford) suggesting to me that change is afoot.

Sorry for sounding so upbeat. I don't know what go into me.

In the end, it all comes down to biodiversity. Help acquire and protect ecological hotspots, give to a conservation organization: http://www.saveourbiodiversity.com


]]> Well, on the bright side,

destruction of rainforests greatly exacerbates global warming, so in a sense, they are working at reducing global warming, which requires carbon sequestering and reduced emissions. Reducing emissions slows the amount of CO2 being put in the air, but saving rainforests not only does that, it also saves a rainforest. You get to kill two birds with one stone.

Another positive observation: While channel surfing the other day, I kept running into commercials by major corporations pandering to our environmental ethics (BP, Ford) suggesting to me that change is afoot.

Sorry for sounding so upbeat. I don't know what go into me.

In the end, it all comes down to biodiversity. Help acquire and protect ecological hotspots, give to a conservation organization: http://www.saveourbiodiversity.com


]]> Comment #2 by Bart Anderson http://www.grist.org/article/green-gauge-report-bad-news/ Wed, 23 Nov 2005 18:53:18 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/green-gauge-report-bad-news/2 More on the bright side

Good digging, David.  You seem to be a one-man muckraking squad.

For some reason, your article made me feel positive - just as it did biodiversivist.

Here are some positives:

Well, okay, the US public doesn't seem to be moving too fast.  But at least it's not moving backwards!  Quite an accomplishment, considering all the talent spent keeping people misinformed via TV and the media.  

US attitudes are not widespread in the rest of the world.  

In my experience, there is a lot of healthy ferment among the "influentials" - not a growth in numbers, but a better understanding of the issues and a realization of how they are tied together.  For example, the lightbulbs are going on that Peak Oil and Global Warming are two aspects of the same problem.

As an issue, Global Warming has the shortcoming of appearing abstract and distant.  In contast, Peak oil affects individuals concretely and directly. As a motivator, Peak Oil is much more effective.

The low awareness of Global Warming reported by the survey IS a big problem.  As is the low priority given to conservation as a solution.  

The grimness of the situation means that our actions as individuals are critically important.  Activists and writers can make a huge difference during this period of history.

Consider how long it took other new ideas to get accepted.  Christianity, science, democracy ... these are long-term changes.  And at least we aren't being thrown to the lions.  





]]> More on the bright side

Good digging, David.  You seem to be a one-man muckraking squad.

For some reason, your article made me feel positive - just as it did biodiversivist.

Here are some positives:

Well, okay, the US public doesn't seem to be moving too fast.  But at least it's not moving backwards!  Quite an accomplishment, considering all the talent spent keeping people misinformed via TV and the media.  

US attitudes are not widespread in the rest of the world.  

In my experience, there is a lot of healthy ferment among the "influentials" - not a growth in numbers, but a better understanding of the issues and a realization of how they are tied together.  For example, the lightbulbs are going on that Peak Oil and Global Warming are two aspects of the same problem.

As an issue, Global Warming has the shortcoming of appearing abstract and distant.  In contast, Peak oil affects individuals concretely and directly. As a motivator, Peak Oil is much more effective.

The low awareness of Global Warming reported by the survey IS a big problem.  As is the low priority given to conservation as a solution.  

The grimness of the situation means that our actions as individuals are critically important.  Activists and writers can make a huge difference during this period of history.

Consider how long it took other new ideas to get accepted.  Christianity, science, democracy ... these are long-term changes.  And at least we aren't being thrown to the lions.  





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