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The problem is political and cultural, not technical. As long as powerful people want to maintain their power, they're going to exploit the earth for temporary

The problem is political and cultural, not technical. As long as powerful people want to maintain their power, they're going to exploit the earth for temporary gain.

cableshaft 5y ago
I understand the greater problem is cultural, but I wouldn't make it very far having a go at politics or being a significant influencer or public opinion. So that leaves the technical. I'm under no illusion that we are going to make it through the next century (or even the next couple of decades) without some terrible horrible consequences of our collective inaction over the past 50+ years (and continuing today). I'm just wondering if there's something worth pursuing for my day job that uses my skills and might reduce the damage a tiny bit beyond just my own personal reduction of waste and emissions.
- jfengel 5y ago
  Arguably, the best you can do is be a good and well-paid technical person, and donate money to the people who work professionally to fix the problem. There are a lot of routes you can take on that. You can give money to political candidates, and political groups, who want to do something about climate change. You can also donate to organizations working on it. You'll have to research ones taking an approach you prefer, but here are some starting points: https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/2019/12/2/20976180/climate-change-best-charities-effective-philanthropy https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/2019/12/2/20976180/climat... https://climatestore.com/take-action/get-involved/non-profit-organizations-working-on-climate-change https://climatestore.com/take-action/get-involved/non-profit... https://donorbox.org/nonprofit-blog/20-global-nonprofits-environment/ https://donorbox.org/nonprofit-blog/20-global-nonprofits-env... If you want to give time rather than money, most of these organizations also want volunteers, including technical ones. They've all got systems to maintain.

The problem is political and cultural, not technical. As long as powerful people want to maintain their power, they're going to exploit the earth for temporary gain.

cableshaft 5y ago

I understand the greater problem is cultural, but I wouldn't make it very far having a go at politics or being a significant influencer or public opinion. So that leaves the technical. I'm under no illusion that we are going to make it through the next century (or even the next couple of decades) without some terrible horrible consequences of our collective inaction over the past 50+ years (and continuing today). I'm just wondering if there's something worth pursuing for my day job that uses my skills and might reduce the damage a tiny bit beyond just my own personal reduction of waste and emissions.

jfengel 5y ago
Arguably, the best you can do is be a good and well-paid technical person, and donate money to the people who work professionally to fix the problem. There are a lot of routes you can take on that. You can give money to political candidates, and political groups, who want to do something about climate change. You can also donate to organizations working on it. You'll have to research ones taking an approach you prefer, but here are some starting points: https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/2019/12/2/20976180/climate-change-best-charities-effective-philanthropy https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/2019/12/2/20976180/climat... https://climatestore.com/take-action/get-involved/non-profit-organizations-working-on-climate-change https://climatestore.com/take-action/get-involved/non-profit... https://donorbox.org/nonprofit-blog/20-global-nonprofits-environment/ https://donorbox.org/nonprofit-blog/20-global-nonprofits-env... If you want to give time rather than money, most of these organizations also want volunteers, including technical ones. They've all got systems to maintain.