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Second reply: Impact = Population * Affluence * Technology. The problem is not rising population, it's rising affluence and inert technology. As people earn

Second reply: Impact = Population * Affluence * Technology. The problem is not rising population, it's rising affluence and inert technology. As people earn more, they consume more in general, and more of environmentally harmful products like meat, cars, and plane trips in particular. Meanwhile we're not improving core technologies quickly enough. We make buildings using Portland cement. Cement making is responsible for about 1/20 of total carbon emissions by itself. Planes are not electric yet; nor are cars. Cities are badly designed for pedestrians. Meat substitutes aren't good enough or cheap enough yet. We burn coal to make electricity, thanks to the coal industry's astroturfing campaign against nuclear in the 1960s and 1970s. We also burn coal to make steel. We cut down forest to make biofuels, a bizarre and depraved practice.

Swizec 6y ago
> Cities are badly designed for pedestrians. Eh every large city I've been to that isn't in US or Canada is extremely pedestrian friendly. To the point of being actively nicer and easier to navigate by foot than by car. Even NYC and SF are way faster to navigate by foot/bike than by car. I've stopped using Uber in SF because it's faster (and cheaper) to get places with a rented bike.
- thethethethe 6y ago
  Well there are thousands of small cities and towns which are not this way. Hell, if you leave San Francisco and go to any other bay area city it's not this way
  - Swizec 6y ago
    Well the GP was saying that density is the problem but really it’s the solution. High density keeps our mess contained and reduces carbon output.
Hokusai 6y ago
> As people earn more, they consume more in general, and more of environmentally harmful products like meat, cars, and plane trips in particular. That is one part of the problem. But, as we have seen, there is alternatives. Because the pandemic, more people is working from home, playing video games instead of traveling or even learning new skills. I love to travel, but also to play games or read books. A change of culture will help with that. Governments could also apply "sin taxes" to luxuries that harm the environment in favor of more social and cultural activities that hire more people but consume less natural resources.
- runarberg 6y ago
  I’m not sure the travel industry is the worst perpetrator here. But regardless, asking people to give up their traveling is simply too much. I would much rather look at commuting and the shipping industry. As well as family/friendly visits which could be done using green on-ground mass transports.

Swizec 6y ago

> Cities are badly designed for pedestrians. Eh every large city I've been to that isn't in US or Canada is extremely pedestrian friendly. To the point of being actively nicer and easier to navigate by foot than by car. Even NYC and SF are way faster to navigate by foot/bike than by car. I've stopped using Uber in SF because it's faster (and cheaper) to get places with a rented bike.

thethethethe 6y ago
Well there are thousands of small cities and towns which are not this way. Hell, if you leave San Francisco and go to any other bay area city it's not this way
- Swizec 6y ago
  Well the GP was saying that density is the problem but really it’s the solution. High density keeps our mess contained and reduces carbon output.

Hokusai 6y ago

> As people earn more, they consume more in general, and more of environmentally harmful products like meat, cars, and plane trips in particular. That is one part of the problem. But, as we have seen, there is alternatives. Because the pandemic, more people is working from home, playing video games instead of traveling or even learning new skills. I love to travel, but also to play games or read books. A change of culture will help with that. Governments could also apply "sin taxes" to luxuries that harm the environment in favor of more social and cultural activities that hire more people but consume less natural resources.

runarberg 6y ago
I’m not sure the travel industry is the worst perpetrator here. But regardless, asking people to give up their traveling is simply too much. I would much rather look at commuting and the shipping industry. As well as family/friendly visits which could be done using green on-ground mass transports.