I keep up with the news and I am well informed.

Let's examine that claim.


Humans of New York article

Quote from the above article: "She volunteered to tutor us for free. Even though we only saw her two or three times a month, she gave me another perspective on life. I’d probably have five children by now if it wasn’t for her. She taught me to think critically about our traditions. She had empathy for our culture, but she also taught me that not all traditions are positive. Especially for women."

Heartwarming, isn't it? Well, on a personal level, sure. Any effort in the right direction is a good thing.

On the other hand, this isn't the second century BCE anymore. There are seven plus billion humans on this planet. Soon enough there will likely be eleven billion! And guess what most of them won't have and all of them will want? An American or Western European lifestyle. That would include an automobile, a home, a refrigerator, plenty of food, and the energy to manage all that.

For those of us concerned about climate change, guess what? Without concurrently working to slow population growth, almost all of our efforts will be in vain. In short, there are too many humans scrambling for a slice of a finite pie. Do you imagine you are getting the most informative and helpful news and information? Ask yourself, when was the last news story you heard about this topic?

O Canada

Canadian Commission on climate change

O Canada.

It seems that you are badly in need of some of our leaders. Leaders with a "can do" attitude who don't let a few facts and figures get in the way of progress. The bright side for you good folks is that many of us would be happy to send them north of the border. I can see by that confused look on your face you will need a bit of background on this.

Apparently your National Roundtable (commission consisting of business leaders, academics and researchers) recently issued a report claiming that climate change is going to cost Canada billions per year in the coming decades. These costs will incur from diseased forests and the resulting loss of timber, flooding as the sea rises, and on and on.

Luckily we in America are blessed with a plethora of leaders who do not recognize climate change as a real problem. For those Canadians not accustomed to edgy innovative American-style problem solving, let me spell it out. We will give you our climate non-believers who can set your energy policy and bingo presto- you are ahead of the game to the tune of tens of billions of dollars! Or for those of you who still think in Brit-speak, tens of thousands of millions.

I would like to caution you that the contract will call for you to keep them. Please see the no-take-backs clause. Also there is no warranty stated or implied. What you see is what you get.

So how about it. Think of it as a gift. Rather like when the French gave us the statue of Liberty. I can assure you, though the politicians will age and wither, the effects of their good ideas and sound policies will last for many generations. Come on, be a good neighbor. 

illusions

The first step on any intentional journey is determining where you are.
JF


http://theworryfreelife.blogspot.com/2010/02/scientific-illiteracy.html
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_estimated_percentage_of_illiterate_people_in_the_world

http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/campaigns/overpopulation/index.html

Here is a bold assertion. There are only two problems in the world. Human overpopulation and the human contribution to global climate change.

Here is a second audacious assertion. I feel the information contained in these three links provide a platform to understand why we are in this dilemma and why we have been unable to dig ourselves out.

Assertion number three. It is my understanding that many very smart people who have devoted their professional lives to the study of these problems have told us that time and the rate of change are running against us on every level. I would suggest that, given the rate of population growth, degradation by pollution, and our continued output of greenhouse gases- the notion of a 'human-engineered-reversal' of the big problems is an illusion or delusion or both.

I know, I can be a bit of gloomy guy. I'm better with a few drinks in me.

*A couple of folks have asked what then should we do? First, I am humbled if not astounded that they would think I know the answers in any real depth. I don't. That bears repeating. I do not know the answers in any real depth. My hope is that any number of very smart people will be encouraged to focus their considerable mental energies on the situation as it really exists.

My best guess follows:
1: Keep attempting to lower carbon emissions- but don't spend all your resources on this endeavor. You will need them for 'other things'.
2: In short, the 'other things' have to do with facing the facts.

>The world is warmer and will be for the imaginable future. Period.
Due to the warming earth, much of the world's ice will melt.
Melting ice will raise sea levels.
A significant portion of the world's population lives along the shore of the sea.
Encourage populations to move away from coastal areas to the extent possible.
>As has already been noted, the warming earth will also change weather patterns and negatively impacting crop production. Stop making so many people. People eat food. Try to eat lower on the food chain. (In short, less meat).
>Stop electing people to decision making positions who have nineteenth century thinking. That is; they don't 'believe' in global warming, evolution, etc. Continuing to do this is worse than not helping advance toward our goal. Outmoded thinking actually pushes us further from our goal.
>Plant more trees. A lot more trees!
>Start encouraging the worlds production resources toward helpful technologies and products. In short, make things that will help people deal with the difficulties they will undoubtedly face.
>Obviously, I haven't even touched upon social unrest as hundreds of millions of our fellow earthlings clamber for dwindling resources. But that's ok. You don't really want to know about that. Seriously, you don't.