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The seven deadly things we’re doing to trash the planet (and human life with it)

Dr Crayfish

Great article here on the current state of things

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/dec/19/seven-deadly-things-trash-planet-human-life

Hyper consumption, corporations running the world, almost 2 billion vehicles on the roads, human population, monoculture and poor soil, inequality and poverty

These are the major issues we're facing on the planet now and we are ruled by governments who try to encourage most of these issues, being told that the growth of the economy and hyper consumption are what's required to improve quality of life.

I find it pretty scary and surely our days are numbered and quite few at this stage!

Easter Island failed because an isolated land was consumed until nothing was left. Unless we find more planets very soon the same will happen to Earth.

Does anyone think the revolution in lifestyles required to fix these problems will ever happen?

Does anyone have any plans to try and change their lifestyles for the greater good?

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Maximus Alexander

Dr Crayfish wrote: »

Maybe sentient beings might evolve that aren't as stupid and shirt sighted as we are?

So you want to give your own life in the hope that a hypothetical and staggeringly unlikely being might one day benefit from your sacrifice?

Peregrine

K-9 wrote: »

In fairness repeating we're all doomed over and over isn't a winning strategy!

What will I do with all my 'The end is nigh!" placards now?

Dr Crayfish

Maximus Alexander wrote: »

So you want to give your own life in the hope that a hypothetical and staggeringly unlikely being might one day benefit from your sacrifice?

Give my own life? Wha?
I think some people look at the earth as this beautiful living thing, something alive in itself, and maybe they think the animals and other non human life that exist here deserve to be here, unlike us, as they've found a way to live in harmony. The Gaia hypothesis takes this approach.

ScumLord

Maximus Alexander wrote: »

I don't understand this attitude. What difference does the condition of the Earth make to a vast, uncaring universe, if there are none of us left around to give a crap? It's just a massive ball of mostly-iron with an envelope of gas around it. It doesn't have any feelings.

We need to solve our rape of the environment for our own benefit and that of future generations of humans. Not for a rock's sake.

Indeed, by all accounts devastation isn't a bad thing in the greater scheme of things. If that asteroid didn't wipe out the dinosaurs mammals like us likely not be here.

The aftermath of a mass extinction event is a boom time for whatever life is left over, even if it's just bacteria. We don't really need to worry about life, it can survive worse things than humans.

What we're destroying is the habitat that is ideal for humans. The current environment is probably the best statte earth has been in for human habitation. When you go back further than 10,000 year Europe was uninhabitable. It could easily go back to that state, which may come with more desertification meaning we just don't have as much useable land and can't support our population.

Bar the gulf stream shutting down Ireland is probably in a good position, we can produce a mountain of food that's more than enough to feed ourselves (as long as you like bacon and cabbage). But that could just make our little island a beacon for countries that will suffer a lot.

Dr Crayfish

ScumLord wrote: »

Bar the gulf stream shutting down Ireland is probably in a good position, we can produce a mountain of food that's more than enough to feed ourselves (as long as you like bacon and cabbage). But that could just make our little island a beacon for countries that will suffer a lot.

If things got bad in the world and people were starving, Ireland would be pillaged by Britain or some other power very quickly.

Maximus Alexander

Dr Crayfish wrote: »

Give my own life? Wha?
I think some people look at the earth as this beautiful living thing, something alive in itself, and maybe they think the animals and other non human life that exist here deserve to be here, unlike us, as they've found a way to live in harmony. The Gaia hypothesis takes this approach.

How do you take humans out of the equation without giving your own life? Do the people who say these things consider themselves somehow above or apart from the rest of humanity?

Animals don't 'find a way to live in harmony'. They kill and eat whatever they can and the stuff that can't defend itself goes extinct, while other stuff thrives in the resulting absence. The ecosystem falls into balance over time. Any animal would be doing exactly what we are if they had the ability. They are not noble and harmonious.

Evolution just finally came up with a creature (us) that was able to completely dominate all of the rest. What we have wrought is nature. It's not 'harmonious', that's not how it works. So now it falls to us to correct that in order to keep the world in the sort of state that we want it.

ScumLord

Dr Crayfish wrote: »

Give my own life? Wha?
I think some people look at the earth as this beautiful living thing, something alive in itself, and maybe they think the animals and other non human life that exist here deserve to be here, unlike us, as they've found a way to live in harmony. The Gaia hypothesis takes this approach.

The problem is animals don't so much find a harmony as get forced into one. Other animals are more than capable of creating environmental devastation that will ultimately wipe them out, they have absolutely no awareness of their position. When predators disappear for instance (okn so often that's down to us) the plant eating animals will breed to the point the ecosystem collapses under them.

But animals often end up in new environments naturally, and when that happens they cause havoc until the environment finds a balance again, often through mass extinction and evolution.

Humans are the only animal that actively tries to minimise its effect on the environment.

Dr Crayfish

Maximus Alexander wrote: »

How do you take humans out of the equation without giving your own life? Do the people who say these things consider themselves somehow above or apart from the rest of humanity?

Well we're all going to die one day. I think the poster you were referring to probably meant it would be better if we were wiped out quickly before we create too much damage for life to thrive afterwards.

Capt'n Midnight

Dr Crayfish wrote: »

Does anyone have any plans to try and change their lifestyles for the greater good?

Greenwashing hogwash

Do you know how much fuel a business jet uses ?

Each trip could use more fuel than the average motorist here uses in 10 years.

If you are a low mileage driver then a return trip, which they usually are, could use more fuel than you will ever because by then it'll all be self driving electric cars.

gk5000

Do you want to go back to the stone-age?

The capitalist system is not all bad - in that if something is becoming over- utilised or scarce, then the price goes up "saving it" and encouraging people to look elsewhere.

Dr Crayfish

Capt'n Midnight wrote: »

Greenwashing hogwash

Do you know how much fuel a business jet uses ?

Each trip could use more fuel than the average motorist here uses in 10 years.

If you are a low mileage driver then a return trip, which they usually are, could use more fuel than you will ever because by then it'll all be self driving electric cars.

What's green washing? I'm not sure what you're trying to say here. I agree private jets waste a lot of fuel.

Dr Crayfish

gk5000 wrote: »

Do you want to go back to the stone-age?

The capitalist system is not all bad - in that if something is becoming over- utilised or scarce, then the price goes up "saving it" and encouraging people to look elsewhere.

Ha. Like the half of the world's animals that have disappeared since 1970? How do we get them back?

gk5000

Dr Crayfish wrote: »

Ha. Like the half of the world's animals that have disappeared since 1970? How do we get them back?

Is that really true? How many of those type of animals were you familiar with?

Dr Crayfish

gk5000 wrote: »

Is that really true? How many of those type of animals were you familiar with?

Google it. Hardly any. Just making a point that we're decimating everything.

Widdershins

I live pretty simply. I can't go totally off-grid but I'm as close as I can be.
I try to be mindful about what I'm doing and buying and so on.

dodderangler

I'm not scientist or anything but I've a feeling that in next 40 years the planet is basically on its way out. Human population is growing way too fast and animal populations are dropping big time. I can't see any farm animals going extinct but if we keep growing the amount of farms will explode all over the place and with it the forestry and lands will be cut down and used. There's about 15 animals alive now that I don't think will be around except for zoos in next 5 years.

Mr. FoggPatches

I wonder how much the hot air from the hippies affects global warming.

gk5000

Dr Crayfish wrote: »

Google it. Hardly any. Just making a point that we're decimating everything.

Be thankful that you live like a king in the modern age,compared to your ancestors. Heat & light at the flick of a button - instant hot water...jump in car, bus, taxi, bike, aeroplane to anywhere you want to go.

Look at the alternative fake green bs - banning decent light bulbs, promoting dirty diesel over petrol - subsidizing uneconomic wind and cutting down forrests for subsidized "eco" palm oil etc - banning cattle farting...an remember humans breathe out CO2...

So just be thankful and enjoy the abundance fate has dealt you.

K-9

gk5000 wrote: »

Do you want to go back to the stone-age?

The capitalist system is not all bad - in that if something is becoming over- utilised or scarce, then the price goes up "saving it" and encouraging people to look elsewhere.

What if Capitalism is the problem?

Peregrine

gk5000 wrote: »

Do you want to go back to the stone-age?

The capitalist system is not all bad - in that if something is becoming over- utilised or scarce, then the price goes up "saving it" and encouraging people to look elsewhere.

When that utility is water or fresh air, it's time to look at the system.

Dr Crayfish

gk5000 wrote: »

Be thankful that you live like a king in the modern age,compared to your ancestors. Heat & light at the flick of a button - instant hot water...jump in car, bus, taxi, bike, aeroplane to anywhere you want to go.

Look at the alternative fake green bs - banning decent light bulbs, promoting dirty diesel over petrol - subsidizing uneconomic wind and cutting down forrests for subsidized "eco" palm oil etc - banning cattle farting...an remember humans breathe out CO2...

So just be thankful and enjoy the abundance fate has dealt you.

Ok fine. Let's just completely ignore the completely unsustainable existence we have in rich countries at the moment. And everything will just fall into place.
The views on this thread are a perfect example of how everyone just wants to ignore the biggest challenges ever facing humanity.

Peregrine

gk5000 wrote: »

Be thankful that you live like a king in the modern age,compared to your ancestors. Heat & light at the flick of a button - instant hot water...jump in car, bus, taxi, bike, aeroplane to anywhere you want to go.

Look at the alternative fake green bs - banning decent light bulbs, promoting dirty diesel over petrol - subsidizing uneconomic wind and cutting down forrests for subsidized "eco" palm oil etc - banning cattle farting...an remember humans breathe out CO2...

So just be thankful and enjoy the abundance fate has dealt you.

Did anyone deny that? Using 'humans breathe out CO2' as a defence for the overwhelming evidence against the effects of animal agriculture on the environment is beyond laughable.

I realise that governments have subsidised some palm oil farmers — which is exactly the kind of thing that needs to be stopped — but who said they were "eco"?

This post is looking more and more like an own goal from your part.

SEPT 23 1989

Dr Crayfish wrote: »

Ok fine. Let's just completely ignore the completely unsustainable existence we have in rich countries at the moment. And everything will just fall into place.
The views on this thread are a perfect example of how everyone just wants to ignore the biggest challenges ever facing humanity.

We always find a way

That's why we are top of the tree

Widdershins

gk5000 wrote: »

Be thankful that you live like a king in the modern age,compared to your ancestors. Heat & light at the flick of a button - instant hot water...jump in car, bus, taxi, bike, aeroplane to anywhere you want to go.

Look at the alternative fake green bs - banning decent light bulbs, promoting dirty diesel over petrol - subsidizing uneconomic wind and cutting down forrests for subsidized "eco" palm oil etc - banning cattle farting...an remember humans breathe out CO2...

So just be thankful and enjoy the abundance fate has dealt you.

An abundance of planned obsolescent plastic crap, polluted air and spoiled countryside? Children who think carrots are made in a factory? Adults so disconnected from the natural world that they suffer from depression?

It's as simple as taking measures that you feel are effective and worthwhile and ignoring those that you deem ''fake green bs''. There's no good reason to do nothing.

Everything at the flick of a switch is overrated.

Skommando

I'm certainly no environmentalist, but I know one thing, we can't go on consuming the way we're consuming in the first world and get away with it.
it's all this obsession with money money money, and owning more and more shiny crap marketed 24 7 365, cradle to grave.

Peregrine

SEPT 23 1989 wrote: »

We always find a way

That's why we are top of the tree

Then stop bloody cutting it down :P

threeball

SEPT 23 1989 wrote: »

We always find a way

That's why we are top of the tree

Our ability to destroy far outstrips our ability to create/overcome.
Right now the coral reefs are disappearing, animals are going extinct at a rate not seen since the time of the dinosaurs, the oceans are filled with plastic chap and sewage. The world is severely over populated but still growing and getting richer, therefore consuming more. We've destroyed in 200 years what took 100s of thousands if no millions of years to reach the point it had.
Instead of rectifying the mess on the paradise we live in we chase pipedreams of inhabiting some God forsaken dust bowl so far away that almost none of us can comprehend the distances involved. For the so called top dog on this plant we are doing our best to prove we're quite possibly the dumbest.

gk5000

threeball wrote: »

Our ability to destroy far outstrips our ability to create/overcome.
Right now the coral reefs are disappearing, animals are going extinct at a rate not seen since the time of the dinosaurs, the oceans are filled with plastic chap and sewage. The world is severely over populated but still growing and getting richer, therefore consuming more. We've destroyed in 200 years what took 100s of thousands if no millions of years to reach the point it had.
Instead of rectifying the mess on the paradise we live in we chase pipedreams of inhabiting some God forsaken dust bowl so far away that almost none of us can comprehend the distances involved. For the so called top dog on this plant we are doing our best to prove we're quite possibly the dumbest.

If you really believe this ( and I hope you don't)
then the only credible answer to overpopulation is to remove yourself ( and I hope you don't)
In other words - think what you are saying and stop with the bs.

K-9

gk5000 wrote: »

If you really believe this ( and I hope you don't)
then the only credible answer to overpopulation is to remove yourself ( and I hope you don't)
In other words - think what you are saying and stop with the bs.

That's the only answer?

Peregrine

gk5000 wrote: »

If you really believe this ( and I hope you don't)
then the only credible answer to overpopulation is to remove yourself ( and I hope you don't)
In other words - think what you are saying and stop with the bs.

*facepalm*