Yes, we are (have) really f'ing things up for our children and future generations. Much of the damage is done and I agree that to stop or reverse the process may be too huge a job. The unsavoury truth is that as individuals we all tend to live within our own little worlds and predominently concentrate/care about only those things that directly impact on those little worlds. This is a much, much bigger problem than can be solved individually. The harsh reality is that it will take massively unpopular decisions by major governments imposing huge restrictions on mass populations to even start to reverse the process (current actions only seem aimed at slowing the global warming process down).
And those unpopular decisions will not be made for 2 reasons:
1. In a so called democratic society, unpopular decisions (even if they are ultimately for our benefit but at a personal cost to us as individuals), tend to get governments kicked out of office, thus derailing any progress made. Unless all parties agree on the harsh decisions no progress can be made - and even then, when the harsh decisions/laws start impacting on individuals, and those individuals come together up in arms as the new legislations hits those with the least the hardest, revolution is a threat. Revolutions may start out with the right intentions but after a while the power-hungry individuals find their ways to the top of it and we end up back where we started, or worse.
2. So called democracy as we know it in the west (and progressively more so in other areas of the world) is captalistic and therefore determined and controlled by big business. Big business willl be hit hard by the changes that are required to halt and reverse global warming and the people who are in charge of many of those businesses only care about the profits they can make today and in the near future and their personal fortunes. They care far more about what their business opponents are doing next year that may cut into their profits than they do about the World in 100 or 1000 years.
It will take an extremely undemocratic dictatorial world organization to impose massive restrictions/changes on all countries in the world. Upholding those restrictions and dealing with problem areas that arise from it would be far too massive to contemplate. Besides, no such world organization exists to my mind that either has the power or the will to do something about it.
We also have 2 huge nations, China and India, with just under 1/3 of the worlds populations, developing at a scary pace mainly on the back of fossil fuels.
Basically, we're f'd. And that is without even factoring in methane release into the atmosphere from the farts of 6.5 billion people on a daily basis.
BUT........ I'm not defeatest so let's turn this thread into something positive. Let's post here some of the things we do to help fight global warming, or feel we could/should, as individuals that may give others ideas.
1. Put only enough water in the kettle for the cup. Boiling more and never using it wastes a lot of energy.
2. Don't leave electrical items on standby, it's a waste.
3. Turn off all lights that aren't being used.
4. Use the car as little as possible (Megs and I use the car 2-3 times a month and bicycles/public transport for the rest) and, if you have one, trade that gas-guzzler for an uglier but more environmentally friendly car.
5. Turn the computer off when you're not using it (I'm sometimes guilty of this
)
6. Annoy people at work when you see them leaving things on that needn't be.
7. Cook things in larger amounts that can be eaten 2 days running (we cook a lot in the wok - things heat up quick and the wok retains a lot of heat as iron holds the heat better than steel, plus the iron pot will have a longer lifespan).
8. Take quicker showers and don't have them too hot, even if it does feel nicer on those cold mornings (one of the reasons people tend to stay under them longer, along with singing apparently). Warm water will suffice and can save a LOT of energy.
9. If you have one, pack that dishwasher as full as you can get it before switching on. Same with washing. Alternatively do it by hand you lazy sod (I'm a lazy sod btw).
10. In our generally overclean societies we tend to wash our clothes more regularly than is actually necessary due to the stigma of being seen wearing the same clothes as the day before. If you're showering/washing regularly this should not be necessary and a quick sniff of the garments will tell you where you stand on this (some people gain a stale smell quicker than others). If you don't want the stigma, stick them on an aired shelf for a day or two - nobody will ever know unless you have a bit of the other days dinner stuck to them.
11. Use roll on deoderants rather than spray on, and seek out the ones with a lower ph - not only are they better for your skin, they're also better for the environment.
These are just a few of the things we can do that will only make a minute difference individually but as a world population can have a big impact.
Ultimately, live simpler. The Indians and Chinese lived simple for generations and their impact on global warming was miniscule. Now their lives are becoming more "westernized" and "complicated". Simple living is the answer but means giving up a lot we take for granted.
Alternatively, do nothing, stick your head in the sand and hope it goes away. Just one warning - it won't!
