We have to try.
Effort on behalf of the biosphere will yield some improvement even if it doesn't succeed in stopping a huge amount of suffering. Recognition that all humans are now in a life and death situation is needed; fearful obsession with a negative future is useless. We need to enjoy that we are doing the best we can - regardless of how little that may seem.
======
From:
NASA warming scientist: 'This is the last chance'
by Seth Borenstein 6/23/8
http://news.wired.com/dynamic/stories/S/SCI_WARMING_SCIENTIST?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2008-06-23-21-35-41
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Exactly 20 years after warning America about global warming, a top NASA scientist said the situation has gotten so bad that the world's only hope is drastic action.
...There's still time to stop the worst, but not much time.
"We see a tipping point occurring right before our eyes," Hansen told the AP before the luncheon. "The Arctic is the first tipping point and it's occurring exactly the way we said it would."...
..."Dr. Hansen was right. Twenty years later, we recognize him as a climate prophet."
======
"Tipping Points Near"
Hansen's speech:
columbia.edu/~jeh1/2008/TwentyYearsLater_20080623.pdf
arxiv.org/abs/0804.1126
...Solution of the climate problem requires that we move to carbon-free energy promptly.
Special interests have blocked transition to our renewable energy future. Instead of
moving heavily into renewable energies, fossil companies choose to spread doubt about global
warming, as tobacco companies discredited the smoking-cancer link. Methods are sophisticated,
including funding to help shape school textbook discussions of global warming.
CEOs of fossil energy companies know what they are doing and are aware of long-term
consequences of continued business as usual. In my opinion, these CEOs should be tried for
high crimes against humanity and nature.
Conviction of ExxonMobil and Peabody Coal CEOs will be no consolation, if we pass on
a runaway climate to our children. Humanity would be impoverished by ravages of continually
shifting shorelines and intensification of regional climate extremes. Loss of countless species
would leave a more desolate planet. If politicians remain at loggerheads, citizens must lead. We must demand a moratorium on new coal-fired power plants. We must block fossil fuel interests who aim to squeeze every last drop of oil from public lands, off-shore, and wilderness areas. Those last drops are no solution. They yield continued exorbitant profits for a short-sighted self-serving industry, but no alleviation of our addiction or long-term energy source.
Moving from fossil fuels to clean energy is challenging, yet transformative in ways that will be
welcomed. Cheap, subsidized fossil fuels engendered bad habits. We import food from halfway
around the world, for example, even with healthier products available from nearby fields.
Local produce would be competitive if not for fossil fuel subsidies and the fact that climate change
damages and costs, due to fossil fuels, are also borne by the public.
A price on emissions that cause harm is essential. Yes, a carbon tax. Carbon tax with
100 percent dividend is needed to wean us off fossil fuel addiction. Tax and dividend allows the
marketplace, not politicians, to make investment decisions. Carbon tax on coal, oil and gas is simple, applied at the first point of sale or port of entry.
The entire tax must be returned to the public, an equal amount to each adult, a half-share for children. This dividend can be deposited monthly in an individual’s bank account.
Carbon tax with 100 percent dividend is non-regressive. On the contrary, you can bet
that low and middle income people will find ways to limit their carbon tax and come out ahead.
Profligate energy users will have to pay for their excesses. Demand for low-carbon high-efficiency products will spur innovation, making our products more competitive on international markets. Carbon emissions will plummet as energy efficiency and renewable energies grow rapidly.
Black soot, mercury and other fossil fuel emissions will decline.
A brighter, cleaner future, with energy independence, is possible.
======
National Assembly to Stop the War in Iraq War and Occupation
natassembly.org
======
Climate Chaos Is Inevitable.
We Can Only Avert Oblivion
by Mark Lynas 24/06/08
informationclearinghouse.info/article20175.htm
======
A partnership to restore tree cover in Pennsylvania
treevitalize.net
======
pittsburghforest.org
wired.com/science/planetearth
350.org
wecansolveit.org/pages/partners
heartwoodusa.wordpress.com
======
======
From:
NASA warming scientist: 'This is the last chance'
by Seth Borenstein 6/23/8
http://news.wired.com/dynamic/stories/S/SCI_WARMING_SCIENTIST?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2008-06-23-21-35-41
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Exactly 20 years after warning America about global warming, a top NASA scientist said the situation has gotten so bad that the world's only hope is drastic action.
...There's still time to stop the worst, but not much time.
"We see a tipping point occurring right before our eyes," Hansen told the AP before the luncheon. "The Arctic is the first tipping point and it's occurring exactly the way we said it would."...
..."Dr. Hansen was right. Twenty years later, we recognize him as a climate prophet."
======
"Tipping Points Near"
Hansen's speech:
columbia.edu/~jeh1/2008/TwentyYearsLater_20080623.pdf
arxiv.org/abs/0804.1126
...Solution of the climate problem requires that we move to carbon-free energy promptly.
Special interests have blocked transition to our renewable energy future. Instead of
moving heavily into renewable energies, fossil companies choose to spread doubt about global
warming, as tobacco companies discredited the smoking-cancer link. Methods are sophisticated,
including funding to help shape school textbook discussions of global warming.
CEOs of fossil energy companies know what they are doing and are aware of long-term
consequences of continued business as usual. In my opinion, these CEOs should be tried for
high crimes against humanity and nature.
Conviction of ExxonMobil and Peabody Coal CEOs will be no consolation, if we pass on
a runaway climate to our children. Humanity would be impoverished by ravages of continually
shifting shorelines and intensification of regional climate extremes. Loss of countless species
would leave a more desolate planet. If politicians remain at loggerheads, citizens must lead. We must demand a moratorium on new coal-fired power plants. We must block fossil fuel interests who aim to squeeze every last drop of oil from public lands, off-shore, and wilderness areas. Those last drops are no solution. They yield continued exorbitant profits for a short-sighted self-serving industry, but no alleviation of our addiction or long-term energy source.
Moving from fossil fuels to clean energy is challenging, yet transformative in ways that will be
welcomed. Cheap, subsidized fossil fuels engendered bad habits. We import food from halfway
around the world, for example, even with healthier products available from nearby fields.
Local produce would be competitive if not for fossil fuel subsidies and the fact that climate change
damages and costs, due to fossil fuels, are also borne by the public.
A price on emissions that cause harm is essential. Yes, a carbon tax. Carbon tax with
100 percent dividend is needed to wean us off fossil fuel addiction. Tax and dividend allows the
marketplace, not politicians, to make investment decisions. Carbon tax on coal, oil and gas is simple, applied at the first point of sale or port of entry.
The entire tax must be returned to the public, an equal amount to each adult, a half-share for children. This dividend can be deposited monthly in an individual’s bank account.
Carbon tax with 100 percent dividend is non-regressive. On the contrary, you can bet
that low and middle income people will find ways to limit their carbon tax and come out ahead.
Profligate energy users will have to pay for their excesses. Demand for low-carbon high-efficiency products will spur innovation, making our products more competitive on international markets. Carbon emissions will plummet as energy efficiency and renewable energies grow rapidly.
Black soot, mercury and other fossil fuel emissions will decline.
A brighter, cleaner future, with energy independence, is possible.
======
National Assembly to Stop the War in Iraq War and Occupation
natassembly.org
======
Climate Chaos Is Inevitable.
We Can Only Avert Oblivion
by Mark Lynas 24/06/08
informationclearinghouse.info/article20175.htm
======
A partnership to restore tree cover in Pennsylvania
treevitalize.net
======
pittsburghforest.org
wired.com/science/planetearth
350.org
wecansolveit.org/pages/partners
heartwoodusa.wordpress.com
======
posted by St. Jim the Composter at 8:05 AM
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