Hi Poot, > 1: What would it take for you to "get all bent" in favour of reforming > our environmental impact? > > Platt:Conclusive evidence of harm being done by human activity. > MP: Well, without sources I can name a few. The clearcutting (and > subsequent ruination of that ecosystem,
Examples of a global detrimental effect? > overfishing (I.E. The cod fishery > no longer exists in Canada due to over fishing, The passenger pigeon was hunted to distinction. No great loss. Fish farms are the thing of the future. As for going out of business, so did the sardine canneries of Southern California, affecting the local economy. > ruining the eastern > economy) and "Factory" farming (Alberta and U.S. states are having large > problems with water contamination with salmonella, and dont forget Mad > Cow). Farmers have had problems with bacteria ever since they began farming, not to mention floods and droughts.. > Also, perhaps you remember Exxon Valdez? It is not an isolated > incident. Isolated in terms of its global impact, yes. > Here is a map you can view on the impact of humans, relative to > pupulation/devlopmental density: > http://www.globio.info/region/world/world_robinson.png Don't see what the map proves other than population growth. > Here is an animation of "Green" (undeveloped/unharvested) tracts of land in > Norway from 1900-1992 > http://www.globio.info/region/europe/norway/Norway_anim.html Don't know about Norway, but the U.S. has about the same area of forest land as it did in 1920 even though population has increased 143 percent in that time. Maybe Bo can shed some light on the situation in Norway. > If you require further information that describes and explains further > > how humans impact the environment, please let me know. > Here is onearticle: > http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/2023835.stm > but I can attain more scholarly works as well. Not surprisingly the article is slanted against Bush. The US Senate rejected the Kyoto treaty in 1997 by a vote of 95-0. I have referenced a number of climate scientists who reject the doom and gloom forecasts of global warming proponents. > ============================================================ > >2: What are the cons of being proactive in reducing ones "footprint" upon > > the planet. > > Platt: Time wasted. (Perhaps you should define "footprint.") > Footprint: The phrase "ecological footprint" is a metaphor used to depict > the amount of land and water area a human population would hypothetically > need to provide the resources required to support itself and to absorb its > wastes, given prevailing technology. > > For example, bobby's footprint is 2sq miles. Who is bobby? > As for wasting time Platt, I understand that you are retired? I am > wondering if you find it difficult to recycle? It takes almost no extra > effort, other than; a: seperating garbage from recyclables > it is good for the economy (creates job and raw materials) and the > environment as well. Certainly that is a good thing? If you like, I will > make an instructional video documenting my experience in 60 seconds or > less. I favor recycling for the reasons you cite. > Also, depending on your location, you can purchase electricity that was > produced with renewable resources (sun, wind, water, ). My household > purchases from a company that does so, at approximately a cost of 20% more > in our electricity bill Vs. regular methods. I'm all for saving money. > >3: What are the cons of being proactive in increaseing ones "footprint" > >upon the planet. > > Platt:Depends on how you become "proactive." Planting a garden in your back > yard may be beneficial. > Poot: perhaps the footprint idea was mixed up, but yes, planting a garden > is a good thing. it is preferred to large lawns because they (usually) > require pesticides and intensive watering. Those gardens can also give > much pleasure in ways a lawn cannot. Although not that lawn is a terrible > thing, dont get me wrong. > Platt:How much of your liberty are you willing to give up for the sake of > an uncertain future? > Poot: Although this question could lead in a few directions , I'll answer > to my best ability. > > I am willing to give none of my liberty or freedoms away on a gamble that > this global warming may be a hoax, and that pollution is not a concern, and > even if it is, my opinion remains the same. We agree, I think. > However, I am willing and able to sacrifice --conveniences-- (driving to > the corner store a block away) in an effort to reduce my impact on the > ecosystem in general. I am willing to put in that minimal amount of extra > thought and energy to make my "footprint" smaller, as we know that there is > limited valuable space for humans to use on Earth. If you ever flown across the U.S. or Canada you know there is plenty of space left for humans to inhabit. Lots of forests, too. > If you are aware of negative consequences resulting from techniques such as > recycling, or reducing ones reliance on fossil fuels, please let me know. I've read some problems about using corn as fuel, like if all the corn produced in the world was converted to ethanol it would amount to less than 25 percent of oil needed to keep the world economy going, and have a devastating impact on poor countries who rely on corn as for most of the their food, i.e., tortillas. Furthermore, there are always unintended consequences to whatever we do, some of which are negative. What's surely negative is the potential loss of individual freedom and liberty due to government actions against a bogus threat. The democrats in congress are already dreaming up a whole new list of regulations and taxes in the name of fighting global warming, even though those who claim we are at fault say there is nothing we can do about it, including our own Dan and Case. Regards, Platt . > I hope this dialogue can continue to be helpful or at least productive for > both of us. moq_discuss mailing list Listinfo, Unsubscribing etc. http://lists.moqtalk.org/listinfo.cgi/moq_discuss-moqtalk.org Archives: http://lists.moqtalk.org/pipermail/moq_discuss-moqtalk.org/ http://moq.org.uk/pipermail/moq_discuss_archive/
