And what I was talking about was that the US does not actually want to decarbonize
— Olivier5
Which is irrelevant. — Xtrix
There is no reason to believe that labor unions will help reduce global warming.
— Olivier5
There’s every reason to believe it in fact.
and then the green revolution will be much easier and will largely take care of itself — unenlightened
That’s really not true. — Xtrix
Of those who do, I think the problem is powerlessness and hopelessness. — Xtrix
Energy networks are complex and balancing in- and output is an issue that goes far beyond putting different cables in the ground and tweaking power stations. — Benkei
I think it is the reason we are in this mess. — Olivier5
You mind giving us a few examples? — Olivier5
I think it is the reason we are in this mess.
— Olivier5
I think so too. — Xtrix
Why don't you get a go at it? What are these real actions and solutions? — Olivier5
Building strong unions, for one. In strategic industries, with strike-ready supermajorities. All that's required in that case is people talking to each other, finding common ground, and using a little empathy. And it's happening all across the US and the world, all the time. — Xtrix
Otherwise I could give a rundown of possible governmental actions that would be very useful. But we have less control over those things. I suggest instead to focus on local energy commissions, city councils, budget commissions, town councils, local and regional utility companies, etc. Bring it to the state and local level, since the federal government has been crippled. — Xtrix
Where climate denial is rampant, as you know. — Xtrix
It’s been beaten into our heads that we can’t change anything, that we’re alone, that we shouldn’t bother and look after ourselves — Xtrix
Because I’m not talking about history, I’m talking about solutions to climate change — which was what was asked for. Read it through again if you like.
The US’s responsibility in all this has nothing to do with available solutions, of which there are plenty. Whether they get implemented — yes indeed. But the question was about solutions. — Xtrix
Your polity is fucked up, it's the best democracy money can buy. Corporations rule you. That's in essence why we're all doomed. — Olivier5
Due to cost of catastrophic failures of several early design nuclear facilities that destroyed their surrounding communities for at least 50 years to come nuclear energy companies (the "corporations") have retrenched from developing safer more efficient facilities. If you ran one of those companies you would also be obliged to be sure to avoid another Chernobyl or Fukushima of your making. The savior fusion reactor research has so far proven to be too impractical and has fallen out of realistic consideration.That's a little myopic. ... A technological shift put us here. That's what it will take to stop it. — Tate
As you all said, the "corporations" rule America.Now if only American politicians would care, they could try and apply these solutions and save civilization as we know it. — Olivier5
Now if only American politicians would care, they could try and apply these solutions and save civilization as we know it. That'd be nice. Any moment now.... — Olivier5
Washington sends a message to other nations that they don't need to make any effort, and worse, that they efforts if they decide to make them will amount to nought because the biggest world polluter is not doing its share. — Olivier5
Denial is not the same as not knowing. — Isaac
I can't think of a single person I meet who would look at me with puzzlement if I asked what we ought do about climate change. — Isaac
It’s been beaten into our heads that we can’t change anything, that we’re alone, that we shouldn’t bother and look after ourselves
— Xtrix — Isaac
Has it? — Isaac
I don't believe the US has ever been in a position to solve the problem. It's a global, long-term problem. — Tate
And the answer for many is “nothing, because it’s a hoax.” But somehow this counts as “knowing” about it? Then yes, everyone in the world has most likely heard the words “climate change.” Was that really your point? — Xtrix
It’s been beaten into our heads that we can’t change anything, that we’re alone, that we shouldn’t bother and look after ourselves
— Xtrix — Isaac
Has it? — Isaac
Yes. — Xtrix
But to the extent that the US is the leading power, and the leading per capita producer of CO2, and a leading technological innovator, it does have the power to influence by example and encourage compliance with a strategy by economic means, and hugely contribute to the solution instead of hugely contributing to the failure to tackle the problem at all. — unenlightened
And the answer for many is “nothing, because it’s a hoax.” But somehow this counts as “knowing” about it? Then yes, everyone in the world has most likely heard the words “climate change.” Was that really your point?
— Xtrix
Yes. — Isaac
I doubt there's a single person in the Western world who doesn't know about climate change and what they ought to do to help. Yet they're not doing it. So knowing what to do to help clearly isn't the problem. People already know and are not doing it. — Isaac
Why do we prefer campaigns to actually working out what needs doing? — Isaac
the answer ultimately involves things like awareness, empathy, listening, finding common ground, and genuine respect for working people. — Xtrix
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