The world is on the brink of climate calamity: IPCC

[pixy0stix]

"There is no more room for compromises."

wapo.st/3JU5GsL

[shauni27]

that was incredibly hard to read even though I knew what was coming. I have a lot of thoughts but I need to let them percolate before I write them down so I can make sense and not just sob into the wasting away abyss.

[jamaicam]

Its awful. My brother was there last week as he is one of the authors of a chapter of the Report. There were working extrememly hard and for super long hours to get it done by deadlines. The scientists are doing everything they can to warn us and we/our leaders aren't acting.

[underwaterrhymes]

I don’t understand the collective lack of action by the government. They’re completely unwilling to enact the necessary change to protect future generations.

[pixy0stix]

Mar 20, 2023 12:44:23 GMT -5 underwaterrhymes said:

I don’t understand the collective lack of action by the government. They’re completely unwilling to enact the necessary change to protect future generations.

This is untrue. It's the citizens that are unwilling to let the government enact the changes that need to be done. See any of the threads here where people freak out when laws are passed. Or the populace not voting to implement a government that is going to make these changes. 

This could be a chicken/egg scenario, but I don't think so.

[pixy0stix]

Another perspective - the pandemic shutdown got the world close to where it needed to be for emissions. How hard will the general populace fight to not be put in that scarcity (of all kinds) again? That's what we're up against. The US will certainly never willingly elect a government that austere.

ETA: A bit of source data and their conclusion - www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/emission-reductions-from-pandemic-had-unexpected-effects-on-atmosphere

Notably, emissions returned to near-pre-pandemic levels by the latter part of 2020, despite reduced activity in many sectors of the economy. The authors reason that this rebound in emissions was probably necessary for businesses and individuals to maintain even limited economic productivity, using the worldwide energy infrastructure that exists today. “This suggests that reducing activity in these industrial and residential sectors is not practical in the short term” as a means of cutting emissions, the study noted. “Reducing these sectors’ emissions permanently will require their transition to low-carbon-emitting technology.”

[pixy0stix]

NYTime in 2020 released this article on what would need to be done to reach zero emissions by 2050 (10 years longer than the absolute end date that the IPCC has given us), and it's daunting especially as we're 2 years from that article already. GIFT LINK

[underwaterrhymes]

Mar 20, 2023 13:13:44 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

Mar 20, 2023 12:44:23 GMT -5 underwaterrhymes said:

I don’t understand the collective lack of action by the government. They’re completely unwilling to enact the necessary change to protect future generations.

This is untrue. It's the citizens that are unwilling to let the government enact the changes that need to be done. See any of the threads here where people freak out when laws are passed. Or the populace not voting to implement a government that is going to make these changes. 

This could be a chicken/egg scenario, but I don't think so.

I’m not speaking just of our government. Many governments are not doing what is necessary.

People aren’t willing to either, of course, but until everyone is willing to stop flying, stop eating cheeseburgers, stop driving, stop buying new electronics every two years, we are certainly not without blame either.

[pixy0stix]

Mar 20, 2023 14:35:56 GMT -5 underwaterrhymes said:

Mar 20, 2023 13:13:44 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

This is untrue. It's the citizens that are unwilling to let the government enact the changes that need to be done. See any of the threads here where people freak out when laws are passed. Or the populace not voting to implement a government that is going to make these changes. 

This could be a chicken/egg scenario, but I don't think so.

I’m not speaking just of our government. Many governments are not doing what is necessary.

People aren’t willing to either, of course, but until everyone is willing to stop flying, stop eating cheeseburgers, stop driving, stop buying new electronics every two years, we are certainly not without blame either.

TBF to other countries, they're not the problem. The United States is almost the sole problem, which includes most of China's emissions as well.

[aprilsails]

Canadians are not without blame here, although the Liberal government is doing some good measures for carbon reduction. However, it’s not popular among large portions of the populace, and I’m terrified that we’re going to have a massive setback associated with a Conservative government in the next election. Ideally, I want an NDP/Green leadership on this portfolio.

In encouraging news I’m seeing some big moves from industry and institutional clients to greatly reduce building carbon emissions. Major electric boiler conversions, big net-zero projects coming down the line. What I want to see if great investment in nuclear energy here. We need to expand our electric grid to meet the capacities required for EV use, and electrical heating.

[underwaterrhymes]

Mar 20, 2023 14:40:09 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

Mar 20, 2023 14:35:56 GMT -5 underwaterrhymes said:

I’m not speaking just of our government. Many governments are not doing what is necessary.

People aren’t willing to either, of course, but until everyone is willing to stop flying, stop eating cheeseburgers, stop driving, stop buying new electronics every two years, we are certainly not without blame either.

TBF to other countries, they're not the problem. The United States is almost the sole problem, which includes most of China's emissions as well.

I concede you know a lot more about this topic than I do, but I think everyone must play a part from the government to corporations to nonprofits to individuals. I don’t think that any of the above are doing what is needed, but even if individuals are doing the absolute most they can, I don’t think it will be enough until the government mandates more systemic change and starts offering incentives and penalties.

[pixy0stix]

I think I'm just getting bad at talking to people about this. Our world is literally ending, and no one wants to do anything. Our government is trying to do stuff, but it's not enough, and we're still opening new places for the O&G industry. Industries don't want to cut back, because why should they when we're literally feeding ourselves to capitalism. People don't want to change anything about our lifestyles, particularly after a pandemic when all we want is "normalcy". We're just... screwed. I don't see how we're going to save ourselves.

[lac]

Mar 20, 2023 22:18:55 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

I think I'm just getting bad at talking to people about this. Our world is literally ending, and no one wants to do anything. Our government is trying to do stuff, but it's not enough, and we're still opening new places for the O&G industry. Industries don't want to cut back, because why should they when we're literally feeding ourselves to capitalism. People don't want to change anything about our lifestyles, particularly after a pandemic when all we want is "normalcy". We're just... screwed. I don't see how we're going to save ourselves.

We don’t even, collectively, have the ability to save ourselves in the short term: gun control, maintained access to healthcare, reproductive rights.

I’m not talking about the “we” of this forum, but what I’m personally struggling with right now is the death by a thousand cuts that every aspect of life right now feels like. And it has to, at a macro level, be meant to keep us quiet and sad and complacent. But fuck man, it sucks right now.

[mrsukyankee]

Mar 20, 2023 13:13:44 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

Mar 20, 2023 12:44:23 GMT -5 underwaterrhymes said:

I don’t understand the collective lack of action by the government. They’re completely unwilling to enact the necessary change to protect future generations.

This is untrue. It's the citizens that are unwilling to let the government enact the changes that need to be done. See any of the threads here where people freak out when laws are passed. Or the populace not voting to implement a government that is going to make these changes. 

This could be a chicken/egg scenario, but I don't think so.

Yes. Here's two examples in London:

link
A planned extension to the capital’s ‘Ulez’ has become a political battleground as opponents take legal action to stop it while others say drastic action is vital to fight pollution. (Ulez = ultra low emissions)


link

Low-traffic neighbourhoods (or LTNs) are perhaps most associated with London. According to TfL, “LTNs offer a cost-effective way of delivering safe and attractive streets for walking and cycling by preventing through traffic from using residential neighbourhoods to avoid main roads (often known as ‘rat running’), while retaining local access for residents and visitors.”
...Controversially, some in the protests in Oxford, and indeed other cities with proposed LTNs such as Bristol, have started to believe in conspiracy theories regarding LTNs. There is a belief that LTNs are somehow a version of government control and are linked to climate change deniers. So far, there is no evidence to support this.


@@@@@
- there are huge fights in our area about lowering the use of cars. "I'm a parent and I can't go without driving my child to school" when there are a gazillion buses and tubes that make it accessible for most. Everyone has an excuse as to why they need a car when realistically, there are few people who actually need to drive in London.

[minzy]

Thanks for posting, pixy, and for your continual sounding of the bell. It is hard not to get discouraged when it seems the masses cannot see the forest for the trees. I at least pledge to keep showing up, and trying like hell to do better.

[shauni27]

Mar 20, 2023 22:18:55 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

I think I'm just getting bad at talking to people about this. Our world is literally ending, and no one wants to do anything. Our government is trying to do stuff, but it's not enough, and we're still opening new places for the O&G industry. Industries don't want to cut back, because why should they when we're literally feeding ourselves to capitalism. People don't want to change anything about our lifestyles, particularly after a pandemic when all we want is "normalcy". We're just... screwed. I don't see how we're going to save ourselves.

This is how I feel whenever we talk about this. Like, over and over again we continue to hear and continue to SEE that this is GOING to happen, and sooner rather than later, and I spiral down into this cycle of despair and anxiety. We (humanity) are all too "head in the sand" or unbelieving that this is really going to happen, or won't happen in our lifetime, therefore, it is too far removed to worry about it. 

I literally do not know what can actually happen at this point that would get everyone to drastically change. I just do not see it happening and the cycle of despair and anxiety starts again.

[aspentosh]

This is the subject that always makes me curl up into a ball and cry. We're just not doing enough.

[chickadee77]

Rant coming.

My H and I were discussing our frustration with this. It IS affecting people now, but it seems they refuse to see it. "Oh, it's just been a crazy weather year. Nothing like that storm of '77!" etc. These are the same people screaming to "Build the wall!" Well, where do these dumbasses think displaced people are going to go? And what if, one day, *they're* displaced and have to go somewhere? If *every* country builds a wall, what then? Meanwhile, education is in the shitter so in a generation when we need those bright people to help fix whatever level of mess we end up with, welp. And medicine is so legislated that when these new weird viruses start popping up as predicted, who's going to take the risk to help? Not to mention the continued absolute repression of people of color, LGBT+, and women (to a degree) as less-than and not deserving of what medical/educational prospects will be left . . .

I realize I'm being doomsday about it, but the fact that half our country can't connect the dots and see how interconnected all of this (waves arms) is/could be/will be if the R party completely gets all that they hope and dream.

Meanwhile, it feels like BOTH political parties are fucking with the deck chairs while the Titanic sinks.

/end rant

[mpm]

Mar 21, 2023 9:20:17 GMT -5 chickadee77 said:

Meanwhile, it feels like BOTH political parties are fucking with the deck chairs while the Titanic sinks.

QFT.

We need leadership to act for meaningful change and that’s not happening. In many respects, but particularly the world-ending ones.

[Velar Fricative]

Mar 21, 2023 9:20:17 GMT -5 chickadee77 said:

Rant coming.

My H and I were discussing our frustration with this. It IS affecting people now, but it seems they refuse to see it. "Oh, it's just been a crazy weather year. Nothing like that storm of '77!" etc. These are the same people screaming to "Build the wall!" Well, where do these dumbasses think displaced people are going to go? And what if, one day, *they're* displaced and have to go somewhere? If *every* country builds a wall, what then? Meanwhile, education is in the shitter so in a generation when we need those bright people to help fix whatever level of mess we end up with, welp. And medicine is so legislated that when these new weird viruses start popping up as predicted, who's going to take the risk to help? Not to mention the continued absolute repression of people of color, LGBT+, and women (to a degree) as less-than and not deserving of what medical/educational prospects will be left . . .

I realize I'm being doomsday about it, but the fact that half our country can't connect the dots and see how interconnected all of this (waves arms) is/could be/will be if the R party completely gets all that they hope and dream.

Meanwhile, it feels like BOTH political parties are fucking with the deck chairs while the Titanic sinks.

/end rant

Also, supply chain issues. Alllllllllll connected. Where we as regular ol' people have an impact is in our consumption habits, but nah, we need our unlimited amounts of clothes from Shein and our gas-guzzling SUVs. 

[cattledogkisses]

From a driving/car use perspective, it's too bad that Covid-related changes in workplace culture and remote work don't seem to have stuck around. I'm job hunting for a remote position at the moment, and they're hard to come by, at least in my field. It seems like everyone wants you sitting at a desk in an office where they can see you. (My favorite was an interview I had a few weeks ago, where they told me they didn't support remote work as they interviewed me over Zoom.)

And in H's job, I see him regularly drive over an hour to attend in-person meetings that he's not permitted to attend virtually because... reasons. Who knows.

So back to daily commutes everyone goes.

[noodleoo]

The problem is that we are all hypocrites. It is so obvious even on these boards. People say they care about climate change but once someone posts a thread about travel everyone talks about how it is so important to them and they need to take multiple international trips a year. Or cars, any post about a new car and everyone is recommending their 3rd row SUVs. I have a friend who just bought a 3rd row SUV for a family of 3. We were joking they can each have their own row.

That's why I truly believe nothing will change until the government mandates it (which I'll believe it when I see it). Or at least encourages it with subsidies and penalties. Individuals are too selfish to give up anything by choice. But unfortunately the government is also made up of selfish individuals.

cattledogkisses, I completely agree with you.  The stupidity around companies forcing people back to the office is so frustrating.  I'm supposed to be in the office but my entire team is remote, so I go there and sit alone and do my work by Teams or email.  It is so stupid.  

[chickadee77]

Mar 21, 2023 12:10:14 GMT -5 noodleoo said:

That's why I truly believe nothing will change until the government mandates it (which I'll believe it when I see it). Or at least encourages it with subsidies and penalties. Individuals are too selfish to give up anything by choice. But unfortunately the government is also made up of selfish individuals.

cattledogkisses, I completely agree with you.  The stupidity around companies forcing people back to the office is so frustrating.  I'm supposed to be in the office but my entire team is remote, so I go there and sit alone and do my work by Teams or email.  It is so stupid.  

I agree that true change won't come until it's mandated. Even if people are willing to make the changes on their own, they need the support. I'd love to not have to drive a vehicle, but public transport is non-existant where I live. Hell, there aren't even sidewalks a lot of places, so, into the car we hop. I'd love to do remote work. I'd love it if there were more resources set up to buy local, to swap items, to recycle, to be able to bring my own jars and containers to the store instead of using plastic packaging, etc. There are a million things I'd be happy to do, but society and business aren't currently set up that way, and won't be until it's mandated. So I do what I can, realize it's a half a drop in the bucket, and move on. I don't think I'm alone. But I recognize I'm still part of the problem, just by existing in our culture.

[penguingrrl]

Mar 21, 2023 12:07:34 GMT -5 cattledogkisses said:

From a driving/car use perspective, it's too bad that Covid-related changes in workplace culture and remote work don't seem to have stuck around. I'm job hunting for a remote position at the moment, and they're hard to come by, at least in my field. It seems like everyone wants you sitting at a desk in an office where they can see you. (My favorite was an interview I had a few weeks ago, where they told me they didn't support remote work as they interviewed me over Zoom.)

And in H's job, I see him regularly drive over an hour to attend in-person meetings that he's not permitted to attend virtually because... reasons. Who knows.

So back to daily commutes everyone goes.

Yes! Hs job just told everyone that they’re now checking badge swipes and if folks don’t come into the office 3 days a week it will be considered tendering their resignation. He hadn’t commuted in three years, his work quality had greatly improved (combo of not commuting over an hour each way and our house being quiet enough to work in versus a fully open office without even cubicles that makes it so hard to focus), the company had their most profitable year ever last year, but suddenly they need to justify their office space I guess. It sucks. And many employees pointed out the environmental ramifications, to which they reminded everyone that they could charge their electric cars based off the solar farm that operates the office, which is very nice but only helpful if you have an electric car…

[Michelle]

Mar 21, 2023 2:38:30 GMT -5 mrsukyankee said:

Mar 20, 2023 13:13:44 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

This is untrue. It's the citizens that are unwilling to let the government enact the changes that need to be done. See any of the threads here where people freak out when laws are passed. Or the populace not voting to implement a government that is going to make these changes. 

This could be a chicken/egg scenario, but I don't think so.

Yes. Here's two examples in London:

link
A planned extension to the capital’s ‘Ulez’ has become a political battleground as opponents take legal action to stop it while others say drastic action is vital to fight pollution. (Ulez = ultra low emissions)


link

Low-traffic neighbourhoods (or LTNs) are perhaps most associated with London. According to TfL, “LTNs offer a cost-effective way of delivering safe and attractive streets for walking and cycling by preventing through traffic from using residential neighbourhoods to avoid main roads (often known as ‘rat running’), while retaining local access for residents and visitors.”
...Controversially, some in the protests in Oxford, and indeed other cities with proposed LTNs such as Bristol, have started to believe in conspiracy theories regarding LTNs. There is a belief that LTNs are somehow a version of government control and are linked to climate change deniers. So far, there is no evidence to support this.


@@@@@
- there are huge fights in our area about lowering the use of cars. "I'm a parent and I can't go without driving my child to school" when there are a gazillion buses and tubes that make it accessible for most. Everyone has an excuse as to why they need a car when realistically, there are few people who actually need to drive in London.

Just got back from Paris and I was seriously impressed with the number of streets that are off-limits to through-traffic. The biking and scootering were so prevalent and so nice - unfathomable in Houston, TX. They've got plenty of their own problems, but in efforts to improve their air quality they've made a lot of progress in making the city extremely walkable and less friendly to cars, but more friendly to bikes and pedestrians.

[pixy0stix]

Re: offices and commutes - won't someone think of the delis... (lol, what a thread that was)

My City gov has identified office buildings as huge wastes of electricity and resources. One of their goals was to reduce buildings by allowing more work from home. They're having issues internally because some of the bosses aren't on board with not having everyone in the office at all times.

[pixy0stix]

Mar 21, 2023 12:10:14 GMT -5 noodleoo said:

The problem is that we are all hypocrites. It is so obvious even on these boards. People say they care about climate change but once someone posts a thread about travel everyone talks about how it is so important to them and they need to take multiple international trips a year. Or cars, any post about a new car and everyone is recommending their 3rd row SUVs. I have a friend who just bought a 3rd row SUV for a family of 3. We were joking they can each have their own row.

@@@@@

Talking about kids and people's harmful choices around their offspring (harmful to others), is like touching a third rail. "Do whatever is best for YOUR family ................"

[fortnightlily]

This is but a tiny example, but I wish creative solutions like this were happening on a wider scale: www.theverge.com/23641207/data-center-pools-united-kingdom-energy-cost-saving?fbclid=IwAR1OOSoN9sb9J2tohNAZNt-TZgzlMejePhNxGH3zWtt2pujvq7OZ417Q1Y4

[agnes]

Mar 21, 2023 13:31:42 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

Re: offices and commutes - won't someone think of the delis... (lol, what a thread that was)

My City gov has identified office buildings as huge wastes of electricity and resources. One of their goals was to reduce buildings by allowing more work from home. They're having issues internally because some of the bosses aren't on board with not having everyone in the office at all times.

the city I work in has started converting office building into housing or mixed use. But County headquarters just finished building two fancy new buildings in that city (end of 2019 other finished in 2022), therefore, now County CEO is pushing back on wfh because they have to justify all that money spent on something they weren’t using during the pandemic.

Many are not happy to be forced back into the cube farm when they’re all more productive at home.

[StrawberryBlondie]

Mar 21, 2023 13:31:42 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

Re: offices and commutes - won't someone think of the delis... (lol, what a thread that was)

My City gov has identified office buildings as huge wastes of electricity and resources. One of their goals was to reduce buildings by allowing more work from home. They're having issues internally because some of the bosses aren't on board with not having everyone in the office at all times.

I mean, I *was* a little annoyed when I had to go into the office last week and discovered that the deli down the hall closed. 😉