The Return of Doctor Doom

[Rogar]

Erlichs 60 minutes talk was called, the vanishing wild. He really didn't talk that much about global warming that much. He talked about a sustainable population, overfishing, and deforestation and habitat loss. and extinction. Dr. Doom could very well have been right had it not been for the green revolution. Maybe we are going through some sort of renewable energy revolution now. I imagine us humans are clever enough to preserve the species, but it could get a little lonely and boring without the wild creatures. I think we've become a little myopic over global warming as the only environmental concern.

[ApatheticNoMore]

I think climate change gets the most attention because it is the most immediate cause of much of the death of the natural world one sees around them. Plus it also makes life hard for humans. But that doesn't mean it is the only environmental problem.

[Rogar]

I think climate change gets the most attention because it is the most immediate cause of much of the death of the natural world one sees around them. Plus it also makes life hard for humans. But that doesn't mean it is the only environmental problem.

Of course. However, I could think that the focus on climate tends to dimmish other problems disproportionately. In the end quite a few of them are interrelated.

[bae]

Of course. However, I could think that the focus on climate tends to dimmish other problems disproportionately. In the end quite a few of them are interrelated.

I think it is essential to adopt a broad systems-level approach to planetary management. Population, resources, energy, climate, waste, ...

Pulling on just a single piece of the Jenga pile isn't the best approach.

[jp1]

It intrigues me that I, who doesn’t have any kids/grandkids, seems more concerned about the future of the planet than lots of people who do have kids/grandkids. Perhaps there is a rational explanation for this. But I doubt the kids/grandkids of the unconcerned old folks who participate here will offer their opinions since our demographic tends towards the geriatric.

[iris lilies]

It intrigues me that I, who doesn’t have any kids/grandkids, seems more concerned about the future of the planet than lots of people who do have kids/grandkids. Perhaps there is a rational explanation for this. But I doubt the kids/grandkids of the unconcerned old folks who participate here will offer their opinions since our demographic tends towards the geriatric.

How are you measuring concern? Words typed on the Internet? Is “concern” equal to actions?

[Teacher Terry]

I disagree JP as many on this forum are concerned and have been doing what they can on a daily basis.

[catherine]

It intrigues me that I, who doesn’t have any kids/grandkids, seems more concerned about the future of the planet than lots of people who do have kids/grandkids. Perhaps there is a rational explanation for this. But I doubt the kids/grandkids of the unconcerned old folks who participate here will offer their opinions since our demographic tends towards the geriatric.

I was watching a documentary on Greta Thunberg, and she was saying that having a child up there at the podium on the world stage talking about adults stealing their future has been a very compelling message, but I'm sure it doesn't reach the ears of many. Here's the quote that she referred to: “You say you love your children above all else and yet you are stealing their future in front of their very eyes.”

I certainly think about my children and grandchildren. I recognize that my decision to have 4 children is an ecological "sin" in itself, but a) they are all people who have adopted simple lives themselves and consume minimally and b) that ship has sailed of course, so I try to do whatever I can to minimize other impacts. I believe firmly that the we (meaning people in developed countries who measure progress with purely economic metrics) don't treat our own homes the way we are trashing the earth, and there will be karma to pay.

[JaneV2.0]

I'm skeptical of much of "the sky is falling" rhetoric, but we should certainly reconsider our frantic consumption/throwaway habits, though capitalism makes that nearly impossible, I guess. We can all do something to mitigate the damage caused by humans.

Apparently, population is self-limiting and starting a slow decline. It's amusing seeing the rise in pro-natalism among a certain segment of the population that seems to think it's their mission to scold and browbeat women into reproducing. That ship has sailed.

[frugal-one]

I am starting to believe the sky is falling. Look at the climate now? It is hard not to think otherwise unless you don't believe in climate change.