Well indeed.
Im going address a few things individually, but before I do, on a more general note id like to say how disappointing it is that this thread has so quickly become about wheeling out closed opinions and very little to do with debating the interesting and important facts of environmental change, which happens to be the under-pining of every single one of our lives. Wonder if anyone read those articles. If not, I shall just put a few quotes for you to summarise and keep in mind.
The Telegraph:
Avoiding global climate chaos will require a major transformation of society and the world economy that is "unprecedented in scale," the UN said on Monday in a landmark report that warns time is running out to avert disaster.
Earth's surface has warmed one degree Celsius - enough to lift oceans and unleash a crescendo of deadly storms, floods and droughts - and is on track towards an unliveable 3C or 4C rise.
At current levels of greenhouse gas emissions, we could pass the 1.5C marker as early as 2030, and no later than mid-century, the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) reported with "high confidence".
"The report shows that we only have the slimmest of opportunities remaining to avoid unthinkable damage to the climate system that supports life as we know it," said Amjad Abdulla, the IPCC board member and chief negotiator for the alliance of small island states.
"Historians will look back at these findings as one of the defining moments in the course of human affairs."
The Independent:
Once we hit 2C warming, the world will be a profoundly different place. There will be almost no coral reefs remaining, the Arctic will be completely devoid of ice during summer at least once a decade, and huge numbers of animals and plants will become extinct as their habitat becomes smaller and smaller.
The impact for humans will be enormous, particularly in areas already vulnerable such as the low-lying coastal regions of Bangladesh and Vietnam, and island territories like Kiribati and the Maldives. Sea level rise will drive millions from their homes, and crop yields will fall dramatically in sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and Central and South America.
Is there any reason to be hopeful?
Yes, but it’s going to take serious effort at every level of society. The researchers behind the report used words like “unprecedented” to describe the kind of changes that will need to take place if we are going to stay below the 1.5C target.
... there is no doubt that this will be a massive and noticeable change in the next couple of decades if the IPCC warnings arent taken seriously
I suppose I risk ostracising myself with some of this but I think its important, and if I can change a few minds then that would be enough. I am genuinely writing this from place of empathy, and having these discussions with the people around me, and so should you all. If you think this is all overblown, do your own reading, news with expert sources. It is in fact the only appropriate response.
Now, to try and not get personal, in reverse order -
sunnybob: pointing the finger at other generalistic groups, or focusing on individual hypocrits you knew 'a dozen years ago' doesnt mean you shouldn't engage on something that matters deeply to you and your family and everyone you care about, whether you are aware of it or not, that is just insane. also, its not too late. its too late if you think how you are thinking, which makes me want to scream a big F U from those of us who do care (but I wont). this attitude is awful.
Fitz and others: sure, the
precise impacts of climate change are hard to predict, but the big sweeping ones are now very much agreed upon and to the great concern of the scientific community. Again, read around on the subject. Things by the people who have dedicated their lives to this stuff, scientists. The facts are in: at best we are headed for civilisation-changing disasters if we do nothing, at worst absolutely catastrophic environmental change that takes out the vast majority of species we have evolved alongside. Sure, life would eventually bounce back, but jesus, what a waste if we can avoid it. And its worth avoiding, sea levels rising, desperate mass migrations, global famine, civilisational collapse, fear and disease and death! And not in 100 years. To people who are alive today. I can hear the scoffing, but Im not overstating it. This is what the UN and the IPCC are predicting, the scientists, the experts.
on a side note - joe blogs, the economy, jobs, money, the neoliberal capitalist system, all that is going to go out of the window. to think that we shouldnt make the drastic neccesary changes because it will 'hurt the economy' is like saying you shouldnt extinguish a house fire because you like the water as it is.
RE the demonstrations in stroud, well, all i can say is they are clearly working. They are designed to disrupt and draw attention. Direct action, peaceful protest, is about disruption to bring attention to an important cause. Civil rights activists, the suffragettes, they all used these methods, and im sure plenty of people complained they were a nuisance at the time, but i wonder how many of you would say they shouldnt have been undertaken now in hindsight. Sure, its not convenient, but we will see whats convenient when all the UKs coastal cities are flooded in ___ years and there are millions of domestic refugees and no food. Keep that in mind!
AES, noone is making you donate anything, if you dont want to, dont. easy. as for the idea that 'peoples movements' dont get anything done. I take it the women in your life enjoy their right to vote, well, that vote was hard won by a peoples movement. Sure, grand social change isnt easy, and it gets more and more difficult as it gets scaled up, sure. But if you believe it to be impossible, it is, and by believing it to be possible and engaging, you make it so. History shows this. Oh and you might as well pack in the recycling for all the good it does, things are well past that point, get to a peaceful protest!
I know keyboard warriors arent a good thing and I probably clasiffy as one by this point, first time for everything, but im going to finish by saying, to those who have replied and read, that I hope you approach the subject of climate change and whats coming with an open mind. Dont assume you know things and that it isnt all that bad. Read around on the subject, a variety of sources, read the scary stuff as well as the reassuring. I knew when I posted this that the demographic of this forum must be 95% older white male and is inherently not one that is engaged. Why would you, you are well off, comfortable, like things as they are, and all this is a threat to that. But we young people care deeply, just you wait and see. We are poised to live through the most painful age the planet has ever seen, so many conscious minds and so much suffering. People who don't care, either arent informed or are sociopaths, and I dont believe you are all sociopaths. And before you say "well you dont know whats coming either", i will say it again, read and digest what the experts are saying. Its not good news! Most people choose not to think about it or choose to believe what sounds least disruptive to their comfortable lives, but that cant go on.
Thanks for listening, I wont be posting again.
