Climate Emergency

ShootersHillGuru said:

Here’s where I am. We’re fucked. There’s no doubt in my mind that we can now  actually see with our own eyes that things are very different to how they were just five years ago. The data regarding ocean temperatures, sea ice, consecutive hot days and record temperature highs are now unequivocally point towards a now predicted rise in global temperatures in excess of the 1.5 degree target required to save ourselves. We have politicians like Peter Lilley prepared to come and look Chris Packham in the eye and defend inaction and deny the overwhelming scientific evidence and opinion. We have the USA likely to nominate a climate denier as the Republican candidate and although unlikely at this point could become President. The Chinese, who produce 50% of all emissions are commissioning a coal fired power station each and every week. At home a Prime Minister prepared to row back on green initiatives purely to secure a few votes. There is no other sound reason. If I’m wrong in my view that we’re fucked then I’d be grateful for some news to cling on to. 

Chunes said:

ShootersHillGuru said:

Here’s where I am. We’re fucked. There’s no doubt in my mind that we can now  actually see with our own eyes that things are very different to how they were just five years ago. The data regarding ocean temperatures, sea ice, consecutive hot days and record temperature highs are now unequivocally point towards a now predicted rise in global temperatures in excess of the 1.5 degree target required to save ourselves. We have politicians like Peter Lilley prepared to come and look Chris Packham in the eye and defend inaction and deny the overwhelming scientific evidence and opinion. We have the USA likely to nominate a climate denier as the Republican candidate and although unlikely at this point could become President. The Chinese, who produce 50% of all emissions are commissioning a coal fired power station each and every week. At home a Prime Minister prepared to row back on green initiatives purely to secure a few votes. There is no other sound reason. If I’m wrong in my view that we’re fucked then I’d be grateful for some news to cling on to. 

This is exactly how I feel. So worried for the world my kids will grow up in. Who would want to be in this new generation? I wouldn't. 

People are playing silly games for their own power and personal gain while the planet is going up in smoke. It's sickening and it's not going to change. 

JamesSeed said:

Chunes said:

ShootersHillGuru said:

Here’s where I am. We’re fucked. There’s no doubt in my mind that we can now  actually see with our own eyes that things are very different to how they were just five years ago. The data regarding ocean temperatures, sea ice, consecutive hot days and record temperature highs are now unequivocally point towards a now predicted rise in global temperatures in excess of the 1.5 degree target required to save ourselves. We have politicians like Peter Lilley prepared to come and look Chris Packham in the eye and defend inaction and deny the overwhelming scientific evidence and opinion. We have the USA likely to nominate a climate denier as the Republican candidate and although unlikely at this point could become President. The Chinese, who produce 50% of all emissions are commissioning a coal fired power station each and every week. At home a Prime Minister prepared to row back on green initiatives purely to secure a few votes. There is no other sound reason. If I’m wrong in my view that we’re fucked then I’d be grateful for some news to cling on to. 

This is exactly how I feel. So worried for the world my kids will grow up in. Who would want to be in this new generation? I wouldn't. 

People are playing silly games for their own power and personal gain while the planet is going up in smoke. It's sickening and it's not going to change. 

The only thing that might help would be a green/left takeover globally. Authoritarian. Strict rules until the mess is sorted. War footing. 

To the pearl clutchers, sorry, can’t see any other way. The right will never do anything. Voluntary action won’t work. 

And yet you’ll still get 33% of the population voting Tory at the next election. 

ME14addick said:

SporadicAddick said:

The dystopian apocalyptic outlook that seems to carry some favour on this thread. 

This is a good start

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/07/2c-global-warming-difference-explained/

SporadicAddick said:

ME14addick said:

SporadicAddick said:

The dystopian apocalyptic outlook that seems to carry some favour on this thread. 

This is a good start

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/07/2c-global-warming-difference-explained/

Very serious, I agree.

Is the only resolution "a green/left takeover globally. Authoritarian. Strict rules until the mess is sorted. War footing" or can we drive change, resolution and / or adaption (as we undoubtedly will need to) through changing behaviours, driving science and tech harder through investment, and through the actions of governments worldwide, democratically elected or otherwise? 

SporadicAddick said:

ME14addick said:

SporadicAddick said:

ME14addick said:

SporadicAddick said:

The dystopian apocalyptic outlook that seems to carry some favour on this thread. 

This is a good start

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/07/2c-global-warming-difference-explained/

Very serious, I agree.

Is the only resolution "a green/left takeover globally. Authoritarian. Strict rules until the mess is sorted. War footing" or can we drive change, resolution and / or adaption (as we undoubtedly will need to) through changing behaviours, driving science and tech harder through investment, and through the actions of governments worldwide, democratically elected or otherwise? 

We definitely need to do as you suggest, but we have Governments like the one we currently have in the UK, where chasing votes is more important than actually being truthful with the public about the effects of Climate Change. Kicking the can down the line has been taking place for too long and real change needs to start now, we can't keep putting it off. 

 

Government is part of the equation - business, industry and personal change are equally important. I have to say that I'm more optimistic than some on here in our ability to mitigate, change and adapt. I don't believe that we are all doomed and that the world is going to hell in a handcart. Targets will continue to be agreed, set, achieved (and missed), but the process will deliver a more sustainable approach to the long term development of economic progress and social mobility across the world. It will still be a shitty world in some places and for many millions of people because of the impact of religious tension and / or corrupt undemocratic government, compounded by historic inequalities, but that is society, not climate. 

Kent assumed I was a sceptic because I don't go along with the dystopian view. He / she was wrong.

swordfish said:

Siv_in_Norfolk said:

It's not too late yet. The human race can be saved. There is hope. 

I admire your optimism, but there's an increasingly large number, myself included, who don't share it. That is a huge problem in itself, humans having gone from ignorance and denial to realization and acceptance, many having now progressed into defeatism, action to combat it considered futile.

Measures to slow the effects need to be imposed on us now because relying on us to make voluntary decisions where we all do a little will achieve just that, a little.

However, how do humans respond to having others telling them what they can and can't do in your experience? It's in our nature to destroy ourselves, and I believe we will.

JamesSeed said:

Chunes said:

ShootersHillGuru said:

Here’s where I am. We’re fucked. There’s no doubt in my mind that we can now  actually see with our own eyes that things are very different to how they were just five years ago. The data regarding ocean temperatures, sea ice, consecutive hot days and record temperature highs are now unequivocally point towards a now predicted rise in global temperatures in excess of the 1.5 degree target required to save ourselves. We have politicians like Peter Lilley prepared to come and look Chris Packham in the eye and defend inaction and deny the overwhelming scientific evidence and opinion. We have the USA likely to nominate a climate denier as the Republican candidate and although unlikely at this point could become President. The Chinese, who produce 50% of all emissions are commissioning a coal fired power station each and every week. At home a Prime Minister prepared to row back on green initiatives purely to secure a few votes. There is no other sound reason. If I’m wrong in my view that we’re fucked then I’d be grateful for some news to cling on to. 

This is exactly how I feel. So worried for the world my kids will grow up in. Who would want to be in this new generation? I wouldn't. 

People are playing silly games for their own power and personal gain while the planet is going up in smoke. It's sickening and it's not going to change. 

The only thing that might help would be a green/left takeover globally. Authoritarian. Strict rules until the mess is sorted. War footing. 

To the pearl clutchers, sorry, can’t see any other way. The right will never do anything. Voluntary action won’t work. 

And yet you’ll still get 33% of the population voting Tory at the next election. 

seriously_red said:

...

ShootersHillGuru said:

Here’s where I am. We’re fucked. There’s no doubt in my mind that we can now  actually see with our own eyes that things are very different to how they were just five years ago. The data regarding ocean temperatures, sea ice, consecutive hot days and record temperature highs are now unequivocally point towards a now predicted rise in global temperatures in excess of the 1.5 degree target required to save ourselves. We have politicians like Peter Lilley prepared to come and look Chris Packham in the eye and defend inaction and deny the overwhelming scientific evidence and opinion. We have the USA likely to nominate a climate denier as the Republican candidate and although unlikely at this point could become President. The Chinese, who produce 50% of all emissions are commissioning a coal fired power station each and every week. At home a Prime Minister prepared to row back on green initiatives purely to secure a few votes. There is no other sound reason. If I’m wrong in my view that we’re fucked then I’d be grateful for some news to cling on to. 

We are where we are!

And I'm not sure it's that different to where we were projected to be five or ten years ago?

There's a binary choice ahead and we will either see the politicians in the 🇺🇸 🇪🇺 🇨🇳 and 🇮🇳 lead us into net zero or not. Given that there are democracies in three of those four, the electorate will either support a net zero approach or the oil giants and climate change deniers. 

And the UK that once led on these type of discussions will continue to be irrelevant! 

MrWalker said:

ME14addick said:

seriously_red said:

...

ShootersHillGuru said:

Here’s where I am. We’re fucked. There’s no doubt in my mind that we can now  actually see with our own eyes that things are very different to how they were just five years ago. The data regarding ocean temperatures, sea ice, consecutive hot days and record temperature highs are now unequivocally point towards a now predicted rise in global temperatures in excess of the 1.5 degree target required to save ourselves. We have politicians like Peter Lilley prepared to come and look Chris Packham in the eye and defend inaction and deny the overwhelming scientific evidence and opinion. We have the USA likely to nominate a climate denier as the Republican candidate and although unlikely at this point could become President. The Chinese, who produce 50% of all emissions are commissioning a coal fired power station each and every week. At home a Prime Minister prepared to row back on green initiatives purely to secure a few votes. There is no other sound reason. If I’m wrong in my view that we’re fucked then I’d be grateful for some news to cling on to. 

We are where we are!

And I'm not sure it's that different to where we were projected to be five or ten years ago?

There's a binary choice ahead and we will either see the politicians in the 🇺🇸 🇪🇺 🇨🇳 and 🇮🇳 lead us into net zero or not. Given that there are democracies in three of those four, the electorate will either support a net zero approach or the oil giants and climate change deniers. 

And the UK that once led on these type of discussions will continue to be irrelevant! 

Unfortunately the oil giants and climate change deniers have a lot of power through the media and their support for parties like the Tories. No serious Government would even consider opening up new oil fields when the climate crisis is so serious, for them it is make hay whilst the sun shines (no pun intended). 

If the alternative is mass power cuts, what should we do?

MrWalker said:

ME14addick said:

seriously_red said:

...

ShootersHillGuru said:

Here’s where I am. We’re fucked. There’s no doubt in my mind that we can now  actually see with our own eyes that things are very different to how they were just five years ago. The data regarding ocean temperatures, sea ice, consecutive hot days and record temperature highs are now unequivocally point towards a now predicted rise in global temperatures in excess of the 1.5 degree target required to save ourselves. We have politicians like Peter Lilley prepared to come and look Chris Packham in the eye and defend inaction and deny the overwhelming scientific evidence and opinion. We have the USA likely to nominate a climate denier as the Republican candidate and although unlikely at this point could become President. The Chinese, who produce 50% of all emissions are commissioning a coal fired power station each and every week. At home a Prime Minister prepared to row back on green initiatives purely to secure a few votes. There is no other sound reason. If I’m wrong in my view that we’re fucked then I’d be grateful for some news to cling on to. 

We are where we are!

And I'm not sure it's that different to where we were projected to be five or ten years ago?

There's a binary choice ahead and we will either see the politicians in the 🇺🇸 🇪🇺 🇨🇳 and 🇮🇳 lead us into net zero or not. Given that there are democracies in three of those four, the electorate will either support a net zero approach or the oil giants and climate change deniers. 

And the UK that once led on these type of discussions will continue to be irrelevant! 

Unfortunately the oil giants and climate change deniers have a lot of power through the media and their support for parties like the Tories. No serious Government would even consider opening up new oil fields when the climate crisis is so serious, for them it is make hay whilst the sun shines (no pun intended). 

If the alternative is mass power cuts, what should we do?