What do you do to reduce global warming?

[psr]

Well, I know I'm being a pesimist again but now you've given me the figures to prove that we are fighting a losing battle. It doesn't matter whether you're rich or poor, if you happen to be of that mindset then you will not give a damn. I've seen rich people live like paupers because of their care for the environment and I've seen idiots who barely have enough to live on behaving as though they were millionaires, using disposable plates and cups to avoid washing up, and driving around in guzzlers and using the council recycling bin as a flowerpot!! Your blood boils and you move on!! I don't think we're making any big improvements but at least we're feeling better about ourselves so when the world self-destructs we'll be the ones saying "I told you so!!". But, that won't make it better!

The good think about the website is that it lets you get it off your chest!

psr

[Pirates Armada]

Hi Psr!

Well ya see life is like a box of chocolates atleast it is in my country according to Pauls graph which looks accurate, what about developing countries.....yikes!!!! To combat your pessimism i do feel there is a lot being done. Maybe not enough who the heck knows. I would lean towards not enough but the word is DEFINANTLY out there. I was just inspired by the work that is being done on the Tesla electric car. 60mph in 4 seconds, pretty cool. Suppost to be a production car too. Named after the electro magnetic guru. I think the interest is there and the technology will for sure follow. So take that

I guess the Maglev train that the UK conservatives are proposing is a step in the right direction. It should directly and indirectly produce far less pollution. Problem is the government can't get the existing railway network running properly so this Maglev train sounds like yet another expensive pie in the sky idea funded by the British tax payer! They'll still break down and they'll still run late. The latest daft idea from the train companies is issuing their staff with watches which are automatically updated by wireless from the super accurate nuclear clocks. Do they honestly think this is going to get trains running on time? Bunch of idiots if you ask me! More trains and upgrade the signalling system..aagh...but that costs lots of money. The shareholders won't like that one bit!

I know lots of people will disagree strongly with this but isn't nuclear power, at present, the only option for efficient cheap energy without the associated pollution caused by fossil fuel burning power stations? Even when Chernobyl went critical the assumed aftermath of thousands dying from the fall-out never happened. The dangers are blown out of all proportion by the media who continue to terrify people just to sell newspapers. Who are the terrorists?
Just ask yourself how many nuclear power stations are there worldwide, then how many people have died to date directly as a result of having nuclear power stations? They seem pretty safe to me! You are far more likely to die driving your car to and from work than you are from any nuclear accident. Want to sell your car?

[psr]

Funky and Pirates,

I stand solemnly chastised and shall endeavour to proceed with more optimism in the future. Man, can you guys rattle off facts or what?????

As for the whole nuclear issue, I would prefer that nuclear power was used for life rather than weapons. I'm not sure how the whole nuclear power thing works (remember I never finished my science degree), but what happens if some countries abuse that privilege and turn these power stations into something else?? Who keeps watch and wouldn't be too dangerous from that regard?? There is a nuclear reactor about 45 min drive from where I live (Sydney). When it was first established (before I was born) the people of Sydney were told that it was for research and to produce energy. To date, no energy has been produced and now it seems the focus has switched and it is now supposedly used for medical research. Of course, there are many rumours that most of what the public has been told is bulls***, but who can say otherwise. I guess I'm making a point in a very long-winded kind of way, but nuclear power has always scared me not because of the accidents that can be caused because like you said, the odds of that happening aren't that great, but the other uses of nuclear energy are a worry. Australia is currently considering nuclear power but unfortunately my kids never let me listen long enough to understand the whole story!!!

Well, nice chatting and Even though I feel like I am fighting a losing battle I will keep using my washing water to water the plants and patching my jeans and not using my dishwasher and waiting until I have a full load before I do the washing and recycling etc etc etc

psr

psr, when you think about it, weapons have always been sold by the ship-load to those country's you mention. Then as soon as we start talking nuclear everyone gets scared!
Take away the media & political one-upmanship and you'll find that we all just want to get on with our lives whether we be christian, muslim, buddhist, atheist or whatever.

Work with these people, help them, let them see you want to be their friends and the threats and fear will disappear. Why on earth shouldn't these country's be allowed to build their own nuclear power sources? They have their own burgeoning populations greedy for cheap, long lasting power.

At the end of the day who fears who the most? The west have thousands of nuclear warheads already and all we keep doing is "threatening" those country's who are trying to progress! All that helpful forgiving christian spirit seems to disappear when arab and nuclear are mentioned in the same sentence. I see a nuclear future, whether its a good one or a bad one is up to us and keep threatening to overthrow governments because they don't do things the way we want them to is not the way to go about it!

Only when I see the mushroom clouds rise will I admit I was wrong, until then we have to try and work together for a better future, thats what humanity is all about aint it?

[psr]

Dear Funky,

I couldn't agree more, but I guess what I would really like to see happen is that nuclear power be used for good only - fool that I am!!

I don't agree with anyone having an instrument so powerful that it has the potential to destroy mankind. I also don't agree with countries who possess nuclear weapons looking down their noses at those who don't and trying to stop them acquring these weapons. Everyone has a right to protect themslef in the way that they feel. And let's face it. If one person is allowed to do something that you're not you begin to question why not.

The big hypocrisy is that these nuclear powerful countries have given themselves the sole responsibility of making sure that no one else gets nuclear because they argue that those other countries are not responsible enough. Butwhat actually made them the responsible ones top begin with?? Nuclear power is a power trip for countries. If you have them your super, and if you don't then you're not. It's pretty silly to quote Symbol (from the kids movie The Incredibles) but he said "when everyone is super then no one is super." Maybe if everyone feels super then they will all get along better. Are you confused enough yet??? Because I am. I'm using a friend's computer so my thoughts are all over the place...plus it's a touchy issue for me.

Anyway, thanks for the chat. I feel better now!!

psr

PS MAy we see world peace...and soon before someone gets hurt!!

[Antarctic Kiddo]

Once I didn't turn on a light at all... It was about a month ago... and since then have limited my usage to 5 times a day or less.
Once again sorry to revive this discussion.

[psr]

Hey Kiddo,
Don't apologise. It's not like we have anything better to do with our time. Might as well spend it talking about global warming rather than doing anything about it!!

psr

[Antarctic Kiddo]

Thanks psr. If I revive a topic from now on, I should ask shouldn't I, especially one that hadn't been touched for a couple of months!

[psr]

Hey Kiddo,

Don't worry about asking. That's what's so great about this site. You can say what you want (so long as it's clean), when you want. I just noticed your locatin....I'm over the border.

psr