The PFM Environment thread
- Thread starter gavreid
- Start date
Just 57 companies linked to 80% of greenhouse gas emissions since 2016
https://www.theguardian.com/environ...-to-80-of-greenhouse-gas-emissions-since-2016Not an intractable problem.
les24preludes
pfm Member
I'd say it WAS an intractable problem. These named companies INCREASED emissions since the Paris Agreement. They obviously don't give a damn and will not decrease emissions unless they are forced to. And who is going to force them? The companies pretty much own politicians and there are no signs that politicians want to or even can legislate against their activities.
I'm getting very tired of all the videos on climate change that end up with some kind of "but there still is hope..." message.
There are absolutely NO signs that global emissions are going to decrease dramatically or even decrease at all. Face facts, face facts... Commentators on global warming should stop being so bloody delusional and tell it straight.
It's certainly a problem (restricting the 57, that is) that can be resolved, whether it will be is another matter. There is still hope but time is running out. I think the IPCC have said the same thing, though I'm not up on their latest work/opinion.
Switzerland’s climate policy violates human rights
https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/scienc...link-climate-crisis-and-human-rights/75321434"In a much-anticipated ruling, the European Court of Human Rights has decided that Swiss authorities are responsible for not implementing efficient climate change policies and violating the right to life of a group of elderly women in Switzerland. The verdict could have worldwide repercussions."
gavreid
Pretty Words...
Farmers warn ‘crisis is building’ as record rainfall drastically reduces UK food production
Reduction in yields means UK will be dependent on imports for wheat in coming year and possibly beyond[having been paying farmers not to grow on a certain portion of land into the bargain]
Farmers warn ‘crisis is building’ as record rainfall drastically reduces UK food production
Reduction in yields means UK will be dependent on imports for wheat in coming year and possibly beyond
les24preludes
pfm Member
Would you vote for a party that.....
- encouraged everyone to become vegetarian and taxed meat
- taxed imported luxury foods
- imposed mileage limits on cars
- restricted air travel to necessary flights
- set limits on data centres
- banned bitcoin
- required insulation certificates on buildings
- spent a large chunk of public money on wind farms and solar panels
I'm sure there's much more, but you get the message. This is about the minimum basic action that has to happen right now.
If you didn't answer "yes" to the above, then you get the politicians you deserve.
Sorry to be so blunt, but cutting global emissions requires measures like the above. If you mainly answered "no" to the above then you voted for a rise in global temperatures and everything that comes with that. This is a theoretical construct, but actually it isn't.
- encouraged everyone to become vegetarian and taxed meat
- taxed imported luxury foods
- imposed mileage limits on cars
- restricted air travel to necessary flights
- set limits on data centres
- banned bitcoin
- required insulation certificates on buildings
- spent a large chunk of public money on wind farms and solar panels
I'm sure there's much more, but you get the message. This is about the minimum basic action that has to happen right now.
If you didn't answer "yes" to the above, then you get the politicians you deserve.
Sorry to be so blunt, but cutting global emissions requires measures like the above. If you mainly answered "no" to the above then you voted for a rise in global temperatures and everything that comes with that. This is a theoretical construct, but actually it isn't.
MVV
pfm Member
No-one makes a change they don't want to make until the negative consequences are imminent and certain. I think we are approaching that point but probably about 7 years out.
Same with stopping smoking or not doing whatever you like to do; "what about my grandma lived to 98 on 20 a day." Everyone knows smoking kills, everyone knows that human activity is heating the planet.
Besides, just got back from Calcutta and climate change is not uppermost in people's minds other than the 0.1% of the dinner party classes.. Getting enough to eat seems to be much more front of mind.
Same with stopping smoking or not doing whatever you like to do; "what about my grandma lived to 98 on 20 a day." Everyone knows smoking kills, everyone knows that human activity is heating the planet.
Besides, just got back from Calcutta and climate change is not uppermost in people's minds other than the 0.1% of the dinner party classes.. Getting enough to eat seems to be much more front of mind.
les24preludes
pfm Member
That sounds pretty typical of most people. This is why climate action isn't happening and won't happen until some catastrophic things start to occur that force people to confront the problem. Like their houses swept away by floods or burned in wildfires. Maybe the heat itself will trigger some action, or a huge increase in climate migrants - we'll find out pretty soon.
ks.234
Half way to Infinity
laughingboy
pfm Member
An article in Nature (The economic commitment of climate change - here) estimates that by 2050 we are on track for global economic losses in the range of 19–59 trillion 2005 international dollars per year - an average of $38 trillion per year.
The article estimates that by 2050 damages will amount to around six times the mitigation costs of limiting global warming to 2C.
The article estimates that by 2050 damages will amount to around six times the mitigation costs of limiting global warming to 2C.
les24preludes
pfm Member
The capitalistic world is totally obsessed with and centred around growth to the point where it can't even understand what the alternative could be, let alone how to put it into action. Growth requires fossil fuels because there are as yet no large scale alternatives. So emissions will continue to rise as populations rise and growth continues.
There is a movement called "degrowth" but as yet it's unrealistic and has a lot of utopian features like "happy communes". Take a look. It's not good enough as it stands.
There is a movement called "degrowth" but as yet it's unrealistic and has a lot of utopian features like "happy communes". Take a look. It's not good enough as it stands.
paulfromcamden
Baffled
Retired GP is suspended for five months and faces being stuck off for engaging in climate protest despite the tribunal board stating that her actions raised no concerns about patient safety.
www.theguardian.com
Retired UK GP suspended for five months after climate protests
Sarah Benn is first of three GPs facing disciplinary tribunals this year over climate activism
gavreid
Pretty Words...
"During the tribunal, Benn noted that the GMC had recently apologised to gay doctors struck off the medical register because of their sexuality. “In years to come, when events unfold and tipping points tip, and systems unravel, my prediction is that the reputation of those who tried their best to protect patients, the public, and future generations will be enhanced, not reduced,” she said."Retired GP is suspended for five months and faces being stuck off for engaging in climate protest despite the tribunal board stating that her actions raised no concerns about patient safety.
Retired UK GP suspended for five months after climate protests
Sarah Benn is first of three GPs facing disciplinary tribunals this year over climate activism
Personally I wouldn't want a Tory doctor because they support cuts to the nhs. How can anyone have confidence?
When i did economics a few of us were into Steady State economics: we'd already got Zero Population Growth and SS seemed the logical aim.
Infinite growth in a finite world can't work.
I guess we should have shouted louder 50 years ago.
les24preludes
pfm Member
Europe at least is making a move in the right direction. Unfortunately the rest of the world is increasing emissions. Still burning coal too.
Global energy-related CO2 emissions grew by 1.1% in 2023, increasing 410 million tonnes (Mt) to reach a new record high of 37.4 billion tonnes (Gt). This compares with an increase of 490 Mt in 2022 (1.3%). Emissions from coal accounted for more than 65% of the increase in 2023.
Maybe someone could have a chat with Xi.
Vlad's not helping either.
les24preludes
pfm Member
Well, Xi is doing both positive and negative things. Still burning fossil fuels but gearing the economy to renewable energy by producing many of the units required for renewable energy. So still on the growth trajectory as usual and hoping to make money from exports of stuff needed for renewable energy. This is still a lot better than the USA which has no major production of renewables and has infinitesimally small numbers of electric vehicles. So Xi is not the worst offender here. Vlad, of course, is doing nothing positive about climate change and the permafrost in Siberia is going to be a big problem down the line. India is way behind on action and Brazil is still burning the Amazon jungles. Not good.