4 ms·
I was under the impression that we're way past the point where we should be removing co2 from the atmosphere instead of talking about some emmissions budget. Th
by raffraffraff 5y ago
I was under the impression that we're way past the point where we should be removing co2 from the atmosphere instead of talking about some emmissions budget. There is no budget. Practically nobody I've ever spoken to on the subject of climate change actually knows what the 1.5C "thing" is all about. The assumption most people seem to make is that we're fine for now, we just have to make sure that "some temperature" doesn't exceed "some value" by 1.5C, within, uh... "some time frame". In other words: don't worry! The boffins have drawn a nice safe imaginary line somewhere, and future generations better not cross it or bad things will happen to polar bears! But don't worry, keep eating steak and driving everywhere and buying shit you don't need, and of course you can fly transatlantic as long as you're vaccinated!
That while 1.5C thing was supposed to be a "DO NOT CROSS" worst-case-scenario. But it was domed from the start because it was based on a lot of best case scenarios (like magic co2 capture that doesn't exist) and didn't even account for the multitude of feedback loops that were thought possible (but actually all happening).
I did a deep dive on this stuff 4 years ago. I was already vegetarian and don't drive, don't have kids. All I could really do was give up flying (which I did). I'm done worrying about this stuff. I know we're fucked, but I refuse to let it bother me. It's funny having it ignored for years until suddenly the weather actually turned to shit and people all start to talk about it like it's a surprise.
Sorry. I'm drunk and pissed off seeing this shit.
- ipspam 5y agoI agree, but in a totally different way. We are past the tipping point. To destroy capitalism and everything that got us here is a VERY risky strategy. Instead, it's full steam ahead. Technology will save us from ourselves. Or not. But that's the only realistic option. On a positive note, we've been here many many times before and overcome. There would be no trees left without coal. There would be no whales left without petroleum. Now we are on to coal, petroleum, natural gas, nuclear, and renewables. Whatever budget anyone thinks there is, life goes on. Coal will be the next to go, and probably in about 50 years.
- tuatoru 5y agoCapitalism got "destroyed" in WW II for a while. The US government told US factories what to make, and US growers what to grow. Changed circumstances need changed responses.
- raffraffraff 5y agoExactly. Capitalism is a construct. An invention. We can (in theory anyway) argue about it, change it, put it on hold during "wartime". The climate is fucking real. How do you argue with a wall of water that's sweeping cars and houses and people down the street? Or the hurricane that's making matchsticks out of your house? What good is it to shake your fists at 50°C? Can you talk the gulf stream into "staying put"? If Capitalism doesn't serve our long term survival, what's the point? And that's the question: can we somehow spend our way out of this? I think, no.
- lmilcin 5y agoTechnology may save us. But that is no reason to act stupid and leave future generations with the problem because we wanted to have it comfortable.
- ipspam 5y agoTechnology May save us, so that's a good reason not to destroy the systems and institutions that allow economies and technology to flourish like never before.