What’s a Rational Course Toward Environmental Sustainability?
Frequent commenter MarcoPolo writes about the urgency with which I propose to tackle our environmental problems:
There are two methods of addressing any crisis:
1) Cry doom, despair, calamitous disaster! Rush out and fling yourself upon your horse and ride madly off in all directions at once. Or:
2) Carefully analyze the exact nature and realistic potential of the crisis, determine a rational strategy and response, and set to work implementing a practical resolution, being careful to cultivate as much diverse support as possible.
I realize the second method might seem boring and conventional.
No one is recommending panic over rationality here. The problem is that you and I have two different viewpoints on what constitutes rationality. Given what our scientists are telling us, we need to expedite the process of turning around our horrific approach to our environment, and I personally take that very seriously. Such change will happen only through exerting pressure on the top players in the public and private sector.
No pressure, no progress. No progress, no more inhabitable planet.
@ Marco Polo
You frame the situation well and state your reality based cool calm and collected approach. Good beginning point for meaningful discussion Marco
I recognize the Urgency in Craig s many topics as he takes this all Very Serious…
Yet 46 years after the First Earth Day , we find ourselves , well many of us find ourselves on the Cusp of a Ruined and Declining Planet! that is only just beginning to negatively impact and cause economic issues. ( just think we have the internet, we are connected, twitter, snapchat, and many more incomplete trappings of high tech etc, yet we stumble and bumble along???)
Why the reasons are numerous one of the Root causes of this situation lies in this reality.
Clean Energy Resistance and Environmental degradation has many faces and sources.
One that stands out is the Triple Goals or Mantras of GDP growth at any cost, sustained Corporate profits and the over Projection of National Power around the world. Most power nations have played the Great Game for far too long.
These are among some of the bigger Root causes of our environmental decline and if we Environmental and Advocates for Greater Sustainability have any Hopes of Success we must find methods and means to overcome the Barriers. Most of the limiting factors are political will and not technology.
Marco looks for rational means and espouses such. While that is logical and attempts at Balance the Urgency calls for more aggressive Plays and Policy from my Johari’s Window along the Watch Tower!
It has been pointed out by many who have written on these subjects that many of the prime motivators and operational goals of the un fettered capitalistic systems LIES IN Direct Conflict with the Goals of Sustainability and Environmental Protection and Goals. Tax structure another one.
The construct of the capitalistic system is built on continued growth and in some cases Excessive Accumulation of resources and products. Cause and Effect are left to the Winds !
This creates entrenched political and economic resistance to Big Policy changes that re apportions the priorities of the society and reduces access to resources or makes the players pay more for them and then redistribute the surplus to other needs that address Sustainability or Greater levels of cleaner energy, tax policy is impacted too. A great debate and political division has resulted from the conflict.
Worse Progress and there is good progress being made but it is slower than it should be and the Technical solutions are within our grasp. We must find the political will to over come the Vested Interests of the Old Guard !
Have some solutions but will wait to see where Marco’s discussion goes ….
First one to put out is Policy that puts People over Capital on a weighted mathematical basis ( like Life cycle costing of all Projects).
Trust this adds to what you started Marco
Craig,
” Given what our scientists are telling us, we need to expedite the process of turning around our horrific approach to our environmental, and I personally take that very seriously. Such change will happen only through exerting pressure on the top players in the public and private sector.No pressure, no progress. No progress, no more inhabitable planet.”
Sounds great !
Hmmm,… but what does it actually mean? Without any real understanding of all the dynamics, and a practical plan with priorities that can be understood, it’s all just well meaning but ineffectual platitudes.
How does demanding solutions that can’t be effected, while ignoring humbler reforms that can be implemented, help the environment ?
I guess the question must be asked, what’s my priority ? Do I want environmental progress without a “social revolution” or risk focusing on a “social revolution” which may never happen ?
Here is a link to a rather long, detailed, and carefully researched article entitled,
“Analysis and critique of the 100% WWS Plan
advanced by The Solutions Project”
http://www.timothymaloney.net/www.timothymaloney.net/Critique_of_100_WWS_Plan.html
The following is a subtitle for the article:
“A critique of the paper 100% clean and renewable wind, water, and sunlight (WWS) all-sector energy roadmaps for the 50 united States, by Mark Jacobson et al”
Hi Frank,
What’s the matter with you? Why do you bring people down, man ?
Like, Rainbow-dream and I were just planning our trip to see the Unicorns in Utopia,when you come along and put everyone in such a downer, really uncool….
Thank you for the excellent link.