Rising concentrations of greenhouse gases may have more serious impacts than previously believed, a major scientific report from the UK government stated.
The report, published yesterday based on a study starting in Feb 2005, says there is only a small chance of greenhouse gas emissions being kept below "dangerous" levels. It fears the Greenland ice sheet is likely to melt, leading sea levels to rise by 23 feet over the next 1,000 years.
What that means in real terms, is that New York city will not be a city as we know it anymore. All the subway systems could be flooded if the sea level only rises 3 feet (about a meter) or so.... Could that happen in the next five years? Nobody knows for sure.
I don't want to sound like an alarmist, but in my opinion greenhouse-gases are unlikely to be reduced until it is too late. So this trend is truthfully irresolvable. But why is it that humanity only learns through pain and suffering, and even then makes only minute steps towards betterment.
You know, deep down I don't even care about the survival of the polar bear. I am not a "eco-freak". Yes, that polar bear looks cute on pictures, but I have never met one and probably never will. My concern is the survival of this human race, and not some species that can be left behind throughout a transitional period. So you might ask: "Zee, what the heck are you going to do about it?" Truthfully, I feel overwhelmed and see the only remedy that all of us do small steps - as good as we possibly are able to do!
My steps are such:
1. Reject Hummers and vehicles that are fossil fuel hungry
2. Add more solar panels to my studio so it becomes completely independent from the grid
3. Increase the size of my vegetable garden so I can sustain without running to the Supermarket every day
4. Inform other people what they can achieve in their particular environment (at least help)
Now it is YOUR turn to add suggestions and put them on this list. Be creative, I yearn for your imaginative input!
Monday, January 30
Is naked fun when the heat rises?
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5 comments:
end procreation: no children, no future, no concern.
thats harsh, Ian
why so?
it is an oddity that our superior psyche still holds on to this primitive and irrational urge to continue the species. but what good does it do us?
if you believe in divine judgement and an afterlife, I can see there's an argument. if you don't then what harm can you see bringing this species to a timely end for the benefit of the rest of the world?
that's not harsh, that's biological altruism.
(hey, you said imaginative) ;o)
serious for a moment...
it's not going to happen soon enough if we rely on individuals making changes. I was watching a programme about energy saving measures on the tv last week.
according to the programme, the average energy bill in the UK is £400 per year. a couple of volunteers were told that if they installed solar panels across one half of the roof, they could estimate a 75% reduction on their future bills. the cost of installation was not mentioned; i found out an estimate in the region of £8000!
So, the volunteers would need to live in the house for longer than the average 7 years to fully benefit from any saving - maybe as long as 20 years! (a reasoned guess. I have no equation at hand to determine inflation and interest rates). Most average householders would not regard this as a reasonable measure. The average earnings in the UK before tax is only about £24000.
Capitalism will end the world!
I heard once that if everyone became vegetarian it would reduce the emission of greenhouse gasses from cows, pigs, sheep, and other animals raised for meat. It would also allow more land to be planted in plants that produce chemicals that are good for removing toxic gasses from the air.
I, too, think that Hummers, as well as SUVs in general, are an obscenity. My uncle raised 5 kids with a station wagon, so I know people can make do without them.
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