OMG its crisis time, let's forget about global warming

[ukrocker]

I am totally shocked to read some of the articles in the local papers lately. Yes we are in a crisis, and surely most parts of the global economy are affected, but from that to now saying that all the environmental good has to be put on the bench?

Car manufacturers are doing bad, oh ok then let's forget about those limits on car emissions, forget about the pollution tax, let's not even bother anymore with hydrogen cars. Just keep on going as is and forget the environment.

And what about all the talk about getting rid of coal? of nuclear power? That's all yesterday? Do they really think that the economy is going to boost up again if you all the environmental policies to be laxed?

[nick08]

First of all, global warming occurs when gases like carbon dioxide(greenhouse gases) that act as a barrier of heat to escape from the surface of our planet, are in abundance in air. An increase in greenhouse gases has caused the global temperature to increase. There has been also an increase in sea level due to melting of ice caps. Global Warming has also caused changes in climatic patterns.

We must take some serious measures to stop global warming.

[oo87]

I agree, this has seemingly taken a back seat with all the economic panic and the excitement of the elections. Not that no one is thinking about it, I do genuinely think that the interests relating to alternative energy and going 'green' is spreading. Just look at all the major chains that are trying to be more environmentally friendly.

I think what we need to do is make certain things easier to access, like recycling. I live in Utah, and I have to drive 30 minutes to get to a local drop off location. They have closed many of the newspaper bins in grocery stores. And most neighborhoods don't have pickups. A lot of people don't even know HOW to recycle.

Things have to change, for the sake of our planet, and the sake of our coming generations.

[2010]

The problem is that most people just think about now. They don't care about tomorrow or later, it's all about now.

These long term issues will come back to haunt us if they aren't tackled down correctly. What should be happening is that the economy should be improved while helping the environment. I've read several things about some eco-friendly solutions saving money. We should see some of those things in action already.

[oo87]

I still think it's good that steps are being taken, even if they seem like they are small ones. I mean, big corporations like Walmart are even offering discounted prices on eco-friendly cleaning products and supplies, and certain places are offering cash and exchanges for old products instead of having thrown away. You have to admit, it's an improvement from the total lack of care these places had even a year ago.

[bowman]

I think one of the main problems is also non-veg food, due to red meat the global problems are rising. According to Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change chairman Dr. R.K. Pachauri, people should start reducing meat intake to save the planet. Recycling can help, reducing meat is more important.

[oo87]

I think one of the main problems is also non-veg food, due to red meat the global problems are rising. According to Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change chairman Dr. R.K. Pachauri, people should start reducing meat intake to save the planet. Recycling can help, reducing meat is more important.

To be honest, I haven't heard of this. How does the reduction of meat effect climate change? I would have thought it would be the opposite, and we should be focusing more on plant life to increase oxygen levels and clean air, not reducing the number of livestock killed.

[Big_0n3]

yes this is a big problem for us and our children. We must do something to win this batlle for example to try to ride a bicycle not to drive a car , to dont smoke so much and so on.

[oo87]

yes this is a big problem for us and our children. We must do something to win this batlle for example to try to ride a bicycle not to drive a car , to dont smoke so much and so on.

Often the bike thing isn't so much of an option. What about people with families who live in large areas with little cycling areas? Or in the country? As for smoking, I am not sure that that will cause too much difference. I think an important thing to do here is to find more fuel efficient cars, and, in the meantime, create more public transportation while we search for alternative energy sources.

[Oic]

I do not believe in global warming anyway so i believe it's a waste of time but yes we should be focusing on the real things that matter like the the world going into a finical depression

[RBseatown]

The enviornment should be a huge concern for todays governments. But, the economy has to come first. We won't be able to fix anything if we don't fix our money situation first.

[shailbpl]

some tips
dont take plastic and polyethen bags from shopkeeper when u go for shopping
take ur cloth bags when ever u go for shoping

try to use eco friendly goods as many as possible and recyclable things

and importantly dont waste water unnecesarily
becz environmentalist believe if there is any world war next that will be for WATER

[rajan17_88]

thats true that if the global warming increases at this rate there wont be any living things left to live in this world else we will have a choice like the film "WALL E".We have to do our best to eliminate it.

[themarkofpolo]

To be honest, I haven't heard of this. How does the reduction of meat effect climate change? I would have thought it would be the opposite, and we should be focusing more on plant life to increase oxygen levels and clean air, not reducing the number of livestock killed.

In an ecosystem, certain levels of the food chain require various levels of energy to thrive. Plants are relatively self-sufficient, needing only sunlight, water, air, and key nutrients. Energy input from the sun is free, water is free (unless irrigated), air isn't going anywhere, and nutrients are variable (dependent on crop rotation, fertilizing, or overfertilizing). Herbivores, on the other hand, rely on plants for energy. Plus, animals only inherit about 10% of the energy contained in that which is eaten. The rest is 'waste' that recycles back into the lower level as nutrients. As omnivores, WE only inherit about 10% of the energy contained in the meat we eat.

Reduction of meat means reduction of cattle and chicken. Cattle produce large amounts of methane gas and often overgraze their areas. Large chicken operations produce large amounts of nitrates that can run off and pollute land, surface water, and groundwater.

If we really want meat, we should eat less, and we could focus on native species like bison and deer. Native species are better adapted to our continent and are less likely to overgraze if given proper range. Raising traditional livestock would be OK if performed in a sustainable fashion.

Anyway, I am angered by this shift from env. to economics. It's not a matter of global warming, or more accurately global climate change, but instead the use and misuse of our natural resources. Gifford Pinchot warned over a century ago that without wise use of our resources, our economy will falter. So, the economy is reliant on our resource use in the long-run. Ecology and Economics are highly related and should be treated as such.

I am even more angered by W's recent deregulation push. Who wants coal slurry in their creeks, more emissions out of those coal plants, and lax mountaintop mining regs? Perhaps industry, but not the people. Not In My BackYard!

[lenf]

To be honest, I haven't heard of this. How does the reduction of meat effect climate change? I would have thought it would be the opposite, and we should be focusing more on plant life to increase oxygen levels and clean air, not reducing the number of livestock killed.

The production of cattle requires a huge amount of energy and food. Something around the region of 8 kilos of grain is required to produce just 1 kilo of meat so we could potentially be using that grain for ourselves rather than the cattle.

Cattle production needs lots of land too and is responsible for a great deal of deforestation, particularly in the developing world. We need trees to combat climate change and the CO2 producted from our activities.

Cows are one of the biggest producers of methane as well and methane is one of the main greenhouse gases helping to warm up the planet.

Water -livestock need lots of water. Not just to drink, but for the abbatoirs, during crop production etc. The irrigation of crops also results in some pollution to the water courses.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not suggesting stopping eating meat altogether and getting rid of all livestock. Just a reduction in both would possibly go some way in helping to reduce the impacts on the environment.

I might add that although I don't eat that much meat, I'm not a vegetarian.

[katiebelle]

cars and transport dont actually contribute that much to CO2 levels. the main problems are the amount of energy used. the media put so much hype into low emmission cars and stuff but forgot about the big problem. turn your air conditioners and heaters off. dont use your hot water systems so much. they are the major household contributers but still thats barely anything. industry is the major probelm.

and just to let you know half the products and items labled "green" are not. or a portion of them is but there is a lot more to the production of things than most people realise and that part really isnt included in the "green" lable.

[themarkofpolo]

To add to what I said earlier, it is better to eat lower on the food chain whenever possible.

Reduce, reuse, recycle...we should be focusing moreso on the first 2 R's than on recycling. Overconsumption, wasteful consumption, and our throw-away society are exhausting our resources at an unnecessary rate. Not to mention the junk that pretty much comes out of the factory as junk, or as I call it, "premanufactured trash." We can do more with less and do more with smart purchases that have longterm benefits

I wonder what Obama will do in this economic crisis...

[Jaythepsycho]

The human race has done so much damage to the earth, even if we were all wiped out now it would take many thousands of years to recover. Sure its very nice for people to think their saving the planet, buy your eco friendly washing up liquid and recycle paper bags after knitting a new pair of sandals and hugging trees. However, throughout history the planet has continually heated and cooled since its birth and whos to say this wouldnt of happened anyway. But, due to man(or people for the politically correct)s nature, surely we will wipe ourselves out one way or another anyway?

Another thing that grinds my gears is people continually saying about the polar ice caps melting and raising sea levels. Anyone with half a science GCSE will know that ice floating in water displaces more volume than in liquid form, it is the ice on the land that will raise sea levels if it melts into the sea.

As far as meat farming goes, methane is a greenhouse gas that does alot more damage than Co2, but it disperses and degenerates over a much smaller time scale. Heres a thought, why not harness the power of cows relieving themselves, methane can be used as biofuel for cars and gas for homes, put the cows in domes and extract the gas?

Does money make the world go round or love? Are these things meaningless in the grand scale of things, are we tiny pawns in some great chess game?

There are too many fat cats with money they dont deserve, tax them more I say.

J