GLOBAL WARMING

[SARF]

In that case why doesn't the Government make all R and D into low emission technology Tax free.. Why not encourage the world brightest brains to set up shop here.. No , they decide to Tax the arse out of what we currently have and spend that revenue on what..? Smart P.R. makes the public thank that by spending an extra 100 quid on Car Tax they are making a difference..
The Government is doing nothing other than raising tax.. That wont stop people having to get to work.. It wont stop Rich people having Range rovers.. It will make the average Working/Middle class person a tad skinter..
.
As for helping the Third world, Having free trade agreements will do a whole lot more than making everyone have a windmill on their house.

 

[Davros]

China is indeed as many people have stated one of the big offenders, but we have all benefited from there growing economy, as £14BN worth of Imports from China compared to just £3BN worth of exports to them would point out

 

[Hong Kong Blue]

Quote[/b] (dave @ Oct. 31 2006,12:10)]China is indeed as many people have stated one of the big offenders, but we have all benefited from there growing economy, as £14BN worth of Imports from China compared to just £3BN worth of exports to them would point out

Not to mention Murkey Mouse's posts.

 

[Slipperduke]

Quote[/b] (Hong Kong Blue @ Oct. 31 2006,12:12)]

Quote[/b] (dave @ Oct. 31 2006,12:10)]China is indeed as many people have stated one of the big offenders, but we have all benefited from there growing economy, as £14BN worth of Imports from China compared to just £3BN worth of exports to them would point out

Not to mention Murkey Mouse's posts.

 

[sufcintheprem]

I think the meaning of my post was too vaguely put and resultantly misinterpreted.

I wasn't suggesting we just sit here and carry on regardless whilst churning out pollution. My point was that until the government explicitly utilises the 'special relationship' to get the US' policies somewhere closer to our own agenda, little impact can be made on a global scale.

You talk about what is right and wrong. Well, all countries share the atmosphere and all countries pay for its effect. If the amount of effort trying to reduce our own emissions was diverted to lobbying for the US to take the same policies and achieved, say, a ten percent reduction in the US' carbon emissions, that would be many, many times more effective than an improbable halving of our own.

I appreciate your comment on setting an example but we already have a government that has acknowledged the problem. From what I've read of Bush's comments on the matter, he won't even accept that it is a problem at all yet and as long as this continues, our actions mean little in the wider scheme of things.

Realistically, the Iraqi war looks to be the factor that will drive the forthcoming election and seems to still dominate the political agenda. Until that's over, I can't imagine there being any self-driven change on America's part.

I'm sure Seth will correct me where I'm wrong.

 

[steveo1]

Quote[/b] ]I would like Tony blair to consider building a Centre Parcs style dome over the UK so that we can enjoy the fresh air we have paid for

Will we be allowed to smoke inside the dome?

I am quite impressed that they can predict all this stuff that will happen in 100 years, but cant get the weather forecast right for next Tuesday.

 

[sufcintheprem]

Quote[/b] (dave @ Oct. 31 2006,12:10)]China is indeed as many people have stated one of the big offenders, but we have all benefited from there growing economy, as £14BN worth of Imports from China compared to just £3BN worth of exports to them would point out

This is true. Their growth has certainly assisted the world economy but given their balance of trade, we (as importers of Chinese goods) should have significant influence over their policies on the economy. This is another reason why America being Pro-Eco (almost pro evo) would help given their similar trade deficit with China.

Of course, it's worth pointing out that the only planned 'eco-city' in the world is to be built in China singlaling, at least, an appreciation of the need for environmental awareness.

 

[Davros]

Retrospectivly though, the fact that China are completeling a power station once every 3 months or so, the effects of its eco-city, are at the very most a token gesture

 

[SARF]

Our trading relationship with China is a **** in the Ocean compared to the States or Japan..
Also by about 2050 global population would have peaked.. it will fall pretty sharpish from there.. Italy and Japan are leading the way.. Most of the rest of Western Europe is propped up by imigaration, as in the states.. Chinas will soon start falling rapidly thanks to their 'one child per family policy' and the fact that they all want boys and throw any girls in the river..
I like to think I'm doing my bit to warm the planet as much as possible so by the 23rd century all these people arn't freezing cold!

 

[Matt the Shrimp]

Quote[/b] (Shrimp in a Kilt @ Oct. 31 2006,11:47)]Two issues with this.

Firstly, it is a pretty sorry state of affairs when what we do is governed purely by self interest and not by what is right. Our pollution is contributing, be it by a relativily small percentage, to future problems that impact disproportionatly  on the very poor in this World. There should therefore be no question that we have to act to minimise that impact regardless of what others do.

Secondly, the UK does still carry some weight in World affairs. If we are to have any hope of influencing others to minimise their carbon emissions, then we have to be seen to be leading the way. It is hopeless to moan about the USA, Russia, China and India if we ourselves are not acting.


This thread has been riddled with cynicism about Global Warming. While a cynical attitude can be helpful, and any society needs its share of cynics, in our society cynisism has become fashionable to an alarming extent, and in my opinion it is too often a thin and convenient disguise for self interest. The case for Global Warming/Climate Change has been pretty much made as far as the vast majority of scientists is concerened, and as has been said in this thread before, we CAN'T AFFORD to ignore it - the consequences of being wrong are far too serious.

In the words of TTK...

Top Post!!!!!

 

[SARF]

Isn't the whole point of having a 'Government' to look after 'our' intrests..?

 

[The Fitter]

The point of a goverment is to govern. A dictatorship dictates.
Now someone point out what we live under 'cause I 'aint sure.

 

[Xàbia Shrimper]

Quote[/b] (Matt the Shrimp @ Oct. 31 2006,09:56)]Yesterday, it was 20°C in London.  All the trees are still green - very few of the leaves have fallen off.  And yet tomorrow it will be the beginning of November.

And it was 31°c here in Javea yesterday; we had a fantastic lunch along the beach promenade watching the tenny-weeny bikinis ...

 

[Bielzibubz]

I'm doing my bit and thoroughly proud of myself I feel too.

I've given up my Chicken Tikka Masala and Kima Nan on a Friday & Sunday night. You wouldn't believe the gas those things gave me.:cool:

 

[jstallan]

I came home from work this afternoon to find the path completely covered in leaves. I spent my sunday afternoon sweeping the buggers up, so looks like I know what I'll be doing this weekend

 

[Shrimp in a Kilt]

Quote[/b] (jstallan @ Oct. 31 2006,17:52)]I came home from work this afternoon to find the path completely covered in leaves. I spent my sunday afternoon sweeping the buggers up, so looks like I know what I'll be doing this weekend  

Noooooo! Don't burn them - compost them!

 

[Davros]

Quote[/b] (jstallan @ Oct. 31 2006,17:52)]I came home from work this afternoon to find the path completely covered in leaves. I spent my sunday afternoon sweeping the buggers up, so looks like I know what I'll be doing this weekend  

sitting in the lounge reading a book or watchng the TV while occasionally tapping on the window telling the Mrs she has missed some of the leaves??

 

[jstallan]

Quote[/b] (dave @ Oct. 31 2006,22:41)]

Quote[/b] (jstallan @ Oct. 31 2006,17:52)]I came home from work this afternoon to find the path completely covered in leaves. I spent my sunday afternoon sweeping the buggers up, so looks like I know what I'll be doing this weekend  

sitting in the lounge reading a book or watchng the TV while occasionally tapping on the window telling the Mrs she has missed some of the leaves??

 

[MK Shrimper]

Digging this old post up as I found this today which sorts of puts a kybosh on the whole "melting Artic ice sheets". In fact, despite what you may read elsewhere, the ice sheets have grown by 60% over last winter.

http://www.isciencetimes.com/articles/6040/20130911/global-cooling-arctic-ice-cap-60-photo.htm

There's so much self interest in scientific research will we ever get the truth?

 

[Smudger]

It's all a load of fear mongering balls.....