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I can understand your position but I think that you're being pessimistic. Despite the headlines the report is exceptionally positive. Our fate is in our own ha

I can understand your position but I think that you're being pessimistic. Despite the headlines the report is exceptionally positive. Our fate is in our own hands; the political will seems to be there with the majority of the world economy (EU/China) and the things we need to do to hit 1.5c offer some massive benefits. Simply the air quality benefits are worth the investment costs. I was expecting the costs to be in the order of the western world reverting to the quality of life from the 1800s but that isn't the case. Climate change is looking like a problem in the order of a space-race or nuclear-arms-race only this time with enormous benefits for humankind and nature.

ForHackernews 8y ago
Sadly, the political will is not there: https://www.vox.com/2016/10/4/13118594/2-degrees-no-more-fossil-fuels https://www.vox.com/2016/10/4/13118594/2-degrees-no-more-fos... If governments were serious about fighting climate change, the entire world economy would need to be on a war footing bent toward this goal, similar to WWII. You're correct it doesn't mean 1800s-level subsistence, but it would mean sacrifice from everyone: hefty carbon taxes, rationing, bans on holiday flights, etc. There's no realistic possibility any of that will happen, so we are dooming the next generation to a world of famine, drought and war.
- fersho311 8y ago
  Thanks for sharing that article, I'll share that with my parents.
fersho311 8y ago
I agree I'm being pessimistic, but unfortunately I can't find any grounds optimism. You solve one problem, there will be another to take its place. Solar panels sounds nice, but making them comes at an environmental cost that people generally don't talk about: https://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/energy/2014/11/141111-solar-panel-manufacturing-sustainability-ranking/ https://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/energy/2014/11/1411... In addition to global warming, there is also the problem of over fishing / farming, loss of biodiversity, waste disposal, all of which are getting worse every year. https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/15-current-environmental-problems.php https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/15-current-environmen... With that said, I'm still trying to do my part to live responsibly: I monitor my electrical and water usage and keep them low, stopped eating meat, and donate most of my earnings to charitable causes to help as much as I can.

ForHackernews 8y ago

Sadly, the political will is not there: https://www.vox.com/2016/10/4/13118594/2-degrees-no-more-fossil-fuels https://www.vox.com/2016/10/4/13118594/2-degrees-no-more-fos... If governments were serious about fighting climate change, the entire world economy would need to be on a war footing bent toward this goal, similar to WWII. You're correct it doesn't mean 1800s-level subsistence, but it would mean sacrifice from everyone: hefty carbon taxes, rationing, bans on holiday flights, etc. There's no realistic possibility any of that will happen, so we are dooming the next generation to a world of famine, drought and war.

fersho311 8y ago
Thanks for sharing that article, I'll share that with my parents.

fersho311 8y ago

I agree I'm being pessimistic, but unfortunately I can't find any grounds optimism. You solve one problem, there will be another to take its place. Solar panels sounds nice, but making them comes at an environmental cost that people generally don't talk about: https://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/energy/2014/11/141111-solar-panel-manufacturing-sustainability-ranking/ https://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/energy/2014/11/1411... In addition to global warming, there is also the problem of over fishing / farming, loss of biodiversity, waste disposal, all of which are getting worse every year. https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/15-current-environmental-problems.php https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/15-current-environmen... With that said, I'm still trying to do my part to live responsibly: I monitor my electrical and water usage and keep them low, stopped eating meat, and donate most of my earnings to charitable causes to help as much as I can.