4 ms·
Definitely true that we're going to and already feeling the effects of climate change. I also hear a kind of despair and giving up in your comment (maybe you f
by Glench 5y ago
Definitely true that we're going to and already feeling the effects of climate change.
I also hear a kind of despair and giving up in your comment (maybe you feel it's just "the truth"?) but I know that attitude can be dangerous. It's like sitting in a house on fire and saying "why bother to run? my life is already ruined and there's nothing I can do to change that."
There are lots of plans and good shots we have at limiting the effects of global warming to 1.5C provided we take collective action. My favorite effort is the one at Rewiring America[1] which gives really actionable advice for both consumers and policy makers: electrify everything (cars, heating/cooling, stoves, driers, etc) and power it all by renewable electricity. They show in a pretty straightforward way that this will actually save us all money, eliminate the most significant carbon emissions, create jobs, and give us better standards of living than we currently have with fossil fuels. It's pretty inspiring and gives me a lot of hope which is necessary in difficult times.
[1] https://www.rewiringamerica.org/ https://www.rewiringamerica.org/
- paulcole 5y agoDisagree about your comment saying I sound like I’ve given up. I’ve never driven a car, don’t use AC and run heat as little as possible, don’t use a clothes drier, live in a tiny apartment, eat plant-based, never fly in a plane, won’t have kids. I think I’m the only one trying and everybody else has given up!
- Glench 5y agoWell if that's what it feels like to you no wonder you sound hopeless! :) I also have never owned a car, ride my bike, eat mostly vegetarian, and eschew travel by planes! Solidarity! And definitely feel your frustration with people. I think if there was clear guidance and leadership, financial help to make good climate decisions, and it became part of a cultural expectation that making bad climate decisions like buying a new fossil car or gas hot water heater was a faux pas then we'd progress toward climate solutions a lot faster. Working as a therapist with people with addictions, I feel a clear analogy with people trying to change their behavior — lots of behaviors are quite deeply rooted both in people's psyches as well as our culture.
- paulcole 5y agoYeah dang sorry. Didn’t realize Rewiring America was working on making ovens and clothes dryers more efficient. Brighter days ahead!
- Glench 5y ago> From the @WhiteHouse event today: "Rewiring America and Coalition for Green Capital report released Monday found that by switching to heat pumps for space or water heating, 65 million U.S. households could save a total of as much as $27.2 billion a year." https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-solutions/2021/05/17/biden-energy-efficiency/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-solutions/2021/05/17/...
- Glavnokoman 5y agoYou're not going to have kids? How do you feel about those having more than 2? And more than 4? I do not think your approach is sustainable but at least you seem to tackle it from the correct angle.
- paulcole 5y agoI think everyone should think long and hard about having any kids. There’s no risk of everyone deciding they shouldn’t have kids, so lack of population is not a worry at all.
- Glavnokoman 5y agoI meant the opposite. It is pointless for people who understand the danger of overpopulation to not have kids as long as there is a crowd of others who don't and who raise a bunch of kids. And tell them to do the same. I am not saying I know how to resolve this but don't you think there is a problem with this approach?