The Environmental Watchdog MasterThread
 

..........................Arguably the single most important issue facing this generation is how we respond to and treat our environment.

.................................................https://fthmb.tqn.com/XY6IELnvRkuQ84...b7d0e8f300.jpg

It's obviously a huge topic which MB members have discussed on many occasions, and there are plenty of threads examining specific aspects and questions. Several of the threads were started more than five years ago, though, and haven't been updated much since.

But climate change is by definition a dynamic process, so periodic updates are fundamental to informed discussion. Statistics, circumstances and government policies are changing all the time and rather than have these changes mentioned and then lost in the "today's news" thread, I thought there should be an umbrella Environment thread to record various developments and opinions as they arise. Doesn't seem to be such a thing so far on MB, so here it is now - a dedicated holdall where we can mention any fresh news item or opinion about the environment - a bit like one of those tv programs that tell you about a farmer using solar panels in India or the declining air quality in Shanghai.

To show that I did my homework (on MB at least) here are the best threads I found about the environment/climate change etc. Feel free to explore or bump these if you'd like to re-visit old arguments:-

http://www.musicbanter.com/current-e...t-fiction.html
http://www.musicbanter.com/lounge/28...-solution.html
http://www.musicbanter.com/current-e...g-swindle.html
http://www.musicbanter.com/current-e...ange-ipcc.html
http://www.musicbanter.com/current-e...ent-truth.html

http://www.musicbanter.com/current-e...cs-debate.html

http://www.musicbanter.com/current-e...about-end.html
http://www.musicbanter.com/lounge/77...-theories.html

I would like to rescind my comments in 'The Great Global Warming Scandal' thread. I was 18 and as all 18 year olds, I was an idiot.

Climate Change is real, the natural, cyclical process has been accelerated by industry, and both mitigation and prevention strategies need to be implemented by all countries, but especially by those with the wealth and technological access to do so immediately.

A plan I like is a 5-10% tax on gasoline intended for use in personal automobiles, the proceeds of which directly fund climate research and mitigation plans. National average is around $2.32 a gallon. We can do $2.60.

Gotta love this climate change skeptic (easy there, actual skeptics, not denialists) resource
Global Warming and Climate Change Myths

I think we owe Lisna thanks for putting this together. Well done, man.

If you still deny that there's at least some warming going on right now that is related to human activity I think it's fair to say that something's wrong in your head.

Denied. Never forget.

Science!

^ Well done, riseagainstrocks ! :clap: You are like the prodigal son, a sinner who repents. Well done.
*puts on zombie voice*: You are one of us now

Here's a story that's a little stale, but indicates that small, carefully considered adjustments, like the tax riseagainstrocks mentions, can be very effective:

https://www.theguardian.com/environm...ged-introduced

Main thrust of story; by charging for carrier bags, UK shops have cut the use of carrier bags, saving 6 billion tons of plastic per year. ( 6bn tons is the equivalent in weight of three hundred blue whales, apparently, and now they know how many bags it takes to fill the Albert Hall.)

I wonder what your carrier bag policies are, both personally and by country?

Hey, thank you Trollheart! That means a lot - especially coming from such a consummate thread-starter as yourself!

I live in the 9th largest city in the US. We had a system implemented that encouraged you to bring your own shopping bag along when you bought groceries. You could get a plastic bag if you needed one, but it cost you 5 cents. It didn't last long because all it took was some raging right-wing asshole who thought that the "gubment just has to get into everythang..." along with a bag manufacturer to sue the city. We also had our not just physically crippled governor cry that it was the end of "our free-market model" and that we were being "California-ized" (as if that were a bad thing). During that short five months, we raised a half-million dollars for environmental groups. Not anymore. Cocksuckers.

What did those environmental groups do with that money if you can remember? Asking out of genuine interest, not being smarmy.