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Exactly. As people over consume and the planet's climate continues to become more erratic and destabilized infrastructure disasters will increase.

actually_a_dog 5y ago
It makes me sad to see the parent comment grey (10:16 AM PST). You're absolutely correct that overconsumption is the root of the problem.
- Spivak 5y ago
  I think it's more nuanced than this. Like you're right that reducing consumption/commerce would help but it has trade-offs that lots of people don't jive with and isn't really the root of the problem which is waste. There is zero issue with goods made and distributed using renewables, or goods where non-renewables are reclaimed (i.e. metals, glass, certain plastics).
  - blondie9x 5y ago
    The problem is right now governments and enterprise is mostly focused on fixing supply side of the climate change and sustainability problem. Not enough is being done or discussed to reduce demand. Focusing on consumption changes is just as important as focusing on supply issue IMO.
  - yodsanklai 5y ago
    > There is zero issue with goods made and distributed using renewables But how much of the goods we consume fall in that category?
    - Spivak 5y ago
      Zero, but that's not really the point. It's when you're looking at policy changes you need to pick a direction and set goals. And I think "make consumption sustainable" is way more achievable then "reduce consumption." Because the only scalable way to reduce consumption is to make most people poorer. It's hard to herd billions of people to do something against their interest.
pjkundert 5y ago
Or, rampant incompetence of increasingly all-powerful government functionaries paralyzes more and more of our nation when random events occur. The capacity to quickly repair roads exists. Call in a major structural steel engineering firm, and give them free reign and a big cheque. You'll have a bridge over the swirling rapids in 24 hours. Of course, government workers will be falling to the ground foaming at the mouth -- but that's just a side-benefit.
- ygjb 5y ago
  you might want to loosen that tinfoil hat. Private sector does really well in a lot of spaces, but despite being public infrastructure, most highways and roadworks built in Canada are already built by private sector employees working under contract. Those public sector employees foaming at the mouth? Those are the ones who are responsible for making sure that the roads, highways and infrastructure are fit for purpose, including safety. But hey, why would we want anyone providing oversight of private corporations right? You want emergency, purpose built solutions built by a mission oriented team? May I point you in the direction of the Canadian Military Engineers (you know, government workers?).

actually_a_dog 5y ago

It makes me sad to see the parent comment grey (10:16 AM PST). You're absolutely correct that overconsumption is the root of the problem.

Spivak 5y ago
I think it's more nuanced than this. Like you're right that reducing consumption/commerce would help but it has trade-offs that lots of people don't jive with and isn't really the root of the problem which is waste. There is zero issue with goods made and distributed using renewables, or goods where non-renewables are reclaimed (i.e. metals, glass, certain plastics).
- blondie9x 5y ago
  The problem is right now governments and enterprise is mostly focused on fixing supply side of the climate change and sustainability problem. Not enough is being done or discussed to reduce demand. Focusing on consumption changes is just as important as focusing on supply issue IMO.
- yodsanklai 5y ago
  > There is zero issue with goods made and distributed using renewables But how much of the goods we consume fall in that category?
  - Spivak 5y ago
    Zero, but that's not really the point. It's when you're looking at policy changes you need to pick a direction and set goals. And I think "make consumption sustainable" is way more achievable then "reduce consumption." Because the only scalable way to reduce consumption is to make most people poorer. It's hard to herd billions of people to do something against their interest.

pjkundert 5y ago

Or, rampant incompetence of increasingly all-powerful government functionaries paralyzes more and more of our nation when random events occur. The capacity to quickly repair roads exists. Call in a major structural steel engineering firm, and give them free reign and a big cheque. You'll have a bridge over the swirling rapids in 24 hours. Of course, government workers will be falling to the ground foaming at the mouth -- but that's just a side-benefit.

ygjb 5y ago
you might want to loosen that tinfoil hat. Private sector does really well in a lot of spaces, but despite being public infrastructure, most highways and roadworks built in Canada are already built by private sector employees working under contract. Those public sector employees foaming at the mouth? Those are the ones who are responsible for making sure that the roads, highways and infrastructure are fit for purpose, including safety. But hey, why would we want anyone providing oversight of private corporations right? You want emergency, purpose built solutions built by a mission oriented team? May I point you in the direction of the Canadian Military Engineers (you know, government workers?).