3 ms·

I know that this is a serious article, but there's something very funny about something that is: a.) combatting climate change effectively b.) generating weal

I know that this is a serious article, but there's something very funny about something that is: a.) combatting climate change effectively b.) generating wealth and c.) creating a degree of variety and beauty being shot down because a bunch of Irishmen think the forests are spooky and depressing. If my googling of these forests is accurate, they're actually pleasant looking forests.

Sharlin 7y ago
They're not forests. They are monocultural tree farms. Better than nothing, assuming the harvested carbon is used sustainably, but they're nothing like a natural forest, spruce or not.
SiempreViernes 7y ago
Claiming tree planting is a effective strategy for Ireland is just hogwash! Tree planting is primarily about managing the current carbon excess, of course it does noting to reduce our excessive emissions. It seems Ireland in particular is especially bad at actually combatting emissions, so the tree planting is supposed to provide the fig leaf to hide behind; funny that they go with spruce. But yeah, looks like pretty bog standard spruce forest, though it seems these are actually tree plantations and not forests.
ploika 7y ago
> a bunch of Irishmen think the forests are spooky Watch those snide remarks please. The people who live near these plantations want forestry to be done right.
jqgatsby 7y ago
I agree with you 100%, ralusek. This sounds like a particularly infantile form of nimbyism to me. Apologies to the folks living there that the forests suck, but with the fate of the planet at stake you get very little of my sympathy. Yes, in the long run, let's plant something more pleasant, but we are dealing with an immediate climate crisis and your concern about the view and local walkability are just not important compared to that. If these shitty trees do the best job of quickly soaking up carbon, then that's what should be planted. It's not about you.
- dr_dshiv 7y ago
  The unsympathetic tone of your argument makes me want to take a position against you, regardless of your rationale. I don't think that provoking opposition is your intention -- so consider this as constructive feedback on your rhetorical style.
- your-nanny 7y ago
  I think you should take a harder look at what is going on here.
- linksnapzz 7y ago
  Covering every square inch of ireland with trees will have no noticeable effect on global climate. It's just not that much land. OTOH, having native forests back would be appreciated by many of the irish, who while sympathetic to the Church of Climate Catastrophe are perhaps less willing to wear the hair-shirt of Sitka treefarms across the land. (The Irish would have to purchase the spruce climate indulgence so that bangladeshis + nigerians can add that carbon to the atmosphere by buying cars w/ ac...) Too often, the thinking goes: 1. Something Must be Done 2. This is Something 3. Therefore, we must do This.

Sharlin 7y ago

They're not forests. They are monocultural tree farms. Better than nothing, assuming the harvested carbon is used sustainably, but they're nothing like a natural forest, spruce or not.

SiempreViernes 7y ago

Claiming tree planting is a effective strategy for Ireland is just hogwash! Tree planting is primarily about managing the current carbon excess, of course it does noting to reduce our excessive emissions. It seems Ireland in particular is especially bad at actually combatting emissions, so the tree planting is supposed to provide the fig leaf to hide behind; funny that they go with spruce. But yeah, looks like pretty bog standard spruce forest, though it seems these are actually tree plantations and not forests.

ploika 7y ago

> a bunch of Irishmen think the forests are spooky Watch those snide remarks please. The people who live near these plantations want forestry to be done right.

jqgatsby 7y ago

I agree with you 100%, ralusek. This sounds like a particularly infantile form of nimbyism to me. Apologies to the folks living there that the forests suck, but with the fate of the planet at stake you get very little of my sympathy. Yes, in the long run, let's plant something more pleasant, but we are dealing with an immediate climate crisis and your concern about the view and local walkability are just not important compared to that. If these shitty trees do the best job of quickly soaking up carbon, then that's what should be planted. It's not about you.

dr_dshiv 7y ago
The unsympathetic tone of your argument makes me want to take a position against you, regardless of your rationale. I don't think that provoking opposition is your intention -- so consider this as constructive feedback on your rhetorical style.
your-nanny 7y ago
I think you should take a harder look at what is going on here.
linksnapzz 7y ago
Covering every square inch of ireland with trees will have no noticeable effect on global climate. It's just not that much land. OTOH, having native forests back would be appreciated by many of the irish, who while sympathetic to the Church of Climate Catastrophe are perhaps less willing to wear the hair-shirt of Sitka treefarms across the land. (The Irish would have to purchase the spruce climate indulgence so that bangladeshis + nigerians can add that carbon to the atmosphere by buying cars w/ ac...) Too often, the thinking goes: 1. Something Must be Done 2. This is Something 3. Therefore, we must do This.