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Are you concerned about the destruction of the natural world and climate change?

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Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,475 ✭✭✭✭Thelonious Monk


    No one's saying to stop flying, I just mean things need to change, in my opinion, which means nothing really!



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,191 ✭✭✭RandomViewer


    Anyone else think the likes of Concern jumping on the climate bandwagon is a shameless greenwash



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,930 ✭✭✭Spudmonkey


    Things seem to have become particularly apocalyptic the last few weeks and probably rightly so.

    Do I feel worried about it. Yes. I figure all things going well I've about 40-45 years before I check out so I hope it happens after that but some recent reports, especially a revisiting of an MIT paper from the 70s show that we've hit all the markers which show a societal collapse in the next 20 years. If that was true that's some scary ****. I mean even billionaires are hedging their bets by purchasing land on lifeboat countries that have been judged the best places to see this out. Luckily enough for us we're one of them but Ireland itself isn't particularly well adapted to deal with weather extremes. We look OK from afar with the amount of rain we get but we don't have the vegetation to deal with droughts and the like.

    I find it funny that people mention carbon capture technology etc. Its always some far flung idealist technology like nano mirrors that reflect heat or factories that suck carbon from the air. The moronic thing that trees, healthy soil, peatlands, the ocean.... have been doing it for millennia. They've had plenty time to perfect the process and in the last couple of hundred years we've decided to bulldoze everything in sight giving little credence to the minor things around us that play a part in that process. From the way I see it, we need cede a bit towards nature and give it a chance to recover. I think either way its going to happen with or without us.

    Do I think we can change? No. I think such is our standard of living that any change to that will be met with kicking and screaming. If I had kids, I'd be absolutely **** terrified!



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 43,028 ✭✭✭✭SEPT 23 1989


    Where is that Ice Age today that primary school children were threatened with in the 1980’s?



  • Registered Users Posts: 746 ✭✭✭Heraclius


    It is true that some scientists in the 70s predicted we were imminently heading for an ice age but it was far from a majority position though it got a lot of media coverage. Some scientists being wrong in 1970 or even 1980 isn't a good argument against basically all climate science now though. Vastly more evidence has been gathered and analysed and show a world which is, on average, warming .



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  • Registered Users Posts: 256 ✭✭Crybabygeeks


    I find it extremely worrying and frustrating at the same time. It's the futility of individual efforts that's a killer. Sure every little bit helps but me recycling and cutting back on meat won't do s**t if there are billions burning coal all over the world. Change will have to be policy and government driven with the largest countries leading the way. Their appetite so far? Underwhelming :(



  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 50,158 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder




  • Registered Users Posts: 746 ✭✭✭Heraclius


    Thanks for finding that! I was trying to put numbers on it but couldn't find a good source myself.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,354 ✭✭✭✭Larbre34


    Ever think we might be nearer the end of that period of decades than the beginning?

    You know, as a race we are just so terribly arrogant. We believe now that we've managed to wreck the climate (and we have contributed) and we believe also that we can repair it. Maybe we can't.

    Twice in the 19th Century, two Volcanoes erupted in the South Seas, big enough to eliminate summer for a period after and create crippling winters and localised famine. That was when the population of Earth was less than 1 Billion.

    Just one more of those eruptions, say tomorrow and all that climate change will be reversed in an instant. Global agriculture would die off and everyone dependent on solar power would be fecked, at least for a while. In other words, let us not sweat the small stuff.



  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 50,158 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    "Twice in the 19th Century, two Volcanoes erupted in the South Seas, big enough to eliminate summer for a period after and create crippling winters and localised famine. That was when the population of Earth was less than 1 Billion."

    you mean a single volcano (on two separate occasions, thus providing a little bit of repeated proof) was able to measurably change the weather (or climate), but all the influence we can bring to bear, could not?

    surely a single volcano being able to have a measurable impact - even without our modern technology to measure the effects - could be used as proof as to how easy it could be for humans to have an effect?



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,326 ✭✭✭Markus Antonius




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,354 ✭✭✭✭Larbre34


    No, I don't. I mean Mount Tambora in 1815 and Krakatoa in 1883.



  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    You don't have to go as far as the Amazon to see habitat destruction, just take a walk to your nearest river. The damage is here already. It's been a gradual process so people don't really see the decline year on year but our waterways as badly damaged. Likewise, despite our fields looking green, they really aren't all that healthy. Sad to think we're living in a dying landscape but we are.



  • Registered Users Posts: 746 ✭✭✭Heraclius


    I'm missing the point though. Just because large volcanic eruptions can cause temporary cooling doesn't mean that we shouldn't change our behaviours that are causing warming.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 960 ✭✭✭Triangle




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 960 ✭✭✭Triangle


    This is by far the most progressive government on green initiatives - and all thanks to the handfull of greens in government.

    If you think all they have done is rollout a handfull of charging stations, you're letting your emotions cloud facts. Or just trying to spread trumpisms and misinformation.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,512 ✭✭✭✭whisky_galore


    Funny how theres no one catching people or bringing councils to task about mowing hedges to nothing during nesting season. They dont seem to give a sh1t about biodiversity. Do provide examples where greens are doing anything beyond infighting, windowboxes and (lol) wolves and cheering an electric car I cant afford. I see some hooh hah about public transport, you know, for the poors but very little being actually done.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,664 ✭✭✭jackboy


    They are frauds. They are doing very little to protect and restore habitats. Industrial scale destruction is still taking place. The greens are part of the carbon cult now and this is a priority for them over protecting the environment.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,475 ✭✭✭✭Thelonious Monk


    The carbon cult ffs. How do you suggest the minority Greens in gov restore habitats? CPO land? They'll be gone from Gov after the next election anyway, if you think lack of action is bad now it'll be even worse when they're gone.



  • Registered Users Posts: 746 ✭✭✭Heraclius


    They've also only been in government for four years in the whole history of the state so it seems weird to blame them and not mention FF and FG.



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  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 50,158 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    the green party are in a weird situation where (many) people claim they're totally ineffectual, yet at the same time, credit them with being responsible for pretty much everything the person doesn't like.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,475 ✭✭✭✭Thelonious Monk


    You see it all the time. Water pollution, closed swimming areas, rubbish on beaches, people start going on about it being the Greens fault because they in Government.



  • Registered Users Posts: 1,783 ✭✭✭GoneHome


    OP to answer your initial question, I'd be more concerned about the destruction the Green Party are trying to bring to rural Ireland, the rules and regulations they are proposing in the name of climate action will cause absolute carnage to rural farming communities such as mine here in rural county Limerick, they haven't a god damn clue about rural Ireland, and as for that bell end Eamonn Ryan, don't even get me started. I intentionally gave the Green Party the very last number on my ballot paper at the last GE and I fully intend doing the same at the next GE.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,475 ✭✭✭✭Thelonious Monk


    Lol. Ok I'm not sure how that's relevant to the possible collapse of civilisation, it's hilarious people like you think the status quo can remain though .



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,930 ✭✭✭Spudmonkey


    Good to see the bigger picture being observed there. Any destruction the greens would make to rural Ireland are a drop in the ocean compared to changes in rainfall patterns here and the possible disappearance of our temperate climate.

    FFS there is a lad on the farming forum remarking how this year's weather has been all over the place being too cold/wet and warm/dry. That seems to be the issue with agriculture here, its too reliant on absolutely perfect conditions for growing feed/fodder and if it varies slightly from that (which it will do, they lads there themselves are remarking it themselves) the whole system falls apart. Then they have to start importing fodder. Christ the whole thing is mad when you think about it.

    What are the greens trying to do which is possibly more detrimental than that? As one poster above put it, they've barely ever been in power and they simultaneously get blamed for being too ineffectual whilst also having implemented disastrous policies.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,475 ✭✭✭✭Thelonious Monk


    If the rainfall patterns do change they'll still blame the greens for not doing anything when in power. It's pointless squabbling like this.

    I would think everyone's life would need to change in the western world, if we wanted to actually take action, whether living in a city or a rural farmer.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,908 ✭✭✭acequion


    Op while you started a great thread here and an important topic to discuss I think you need to respect that some people, like that poster, are much more worried by real and current threats to their livelihoods and way of life than of possible apocalyptic scenarios in the future. Many people are already very overwhelmed with day to day worries and environmental issues come well down the list.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,475 ✭✭✭✭Thelonious Monk


    And this is why we are screwed. People are only thinking in the short term and about themselves.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,908 ✭✭✭acequion


    But that's human nature. You've stated you don't have kids. People who do are far more concerned about day to day issues such as providing for them as many people's livelihoods have been destroyed by the prolonged Covid regulations. I respect your worry for the planet but I'm simply pointing out that others have more immediate and more tangible worries and that's acceptable and understandable. Not a solution for the environment but still very understandable.



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,475 ✭✭✭✭Thelonious Monk


    There's an article about climate change on the journal now and people are going on about it being a money grab and that they support green measures if it's cheap.

    I just don't get how any reasonably intelligent person can't grasp that we may need to live differently and be inconvenienced, it's so disheartening.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,664 ✭✭✭jackboy


    I was responding to a post saying that this government was the most progressive ever for the environment and that is down to the Greens.


    Yes, FG and FF are worse but that doesn’t mean the Greens should get any credit. In one way they are worse because many young people interested in the environment are taken in by them and just go on about carbon rather than doing anything real for the environment.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,427 ✭✭✭dublin49


    it seems to be wall to wall floods and fires everday now on the news .My impression is it has been getting progressively worse year on year and yes it is a worry.I suspect we would all be willing to give up our foreign Hols ,even our cars if it meant saving our coastal homes but unfortunately this will only be when there is concrete evidence sea levels are affecting our communities and then it will be too late.I live close to Dublin Bay so pay attention to reports of sea level rises and the varying reports offer concern or comfort depending on which one you read.The potential range for Sea level rises is from a few cms to 50 metres in my lifetime and this uncertainty allows one to carry on as before.I know this is a selfish attitude but we will only get general support for radical action when the evidence is both undeniable and will have local adverse affects.The locals in Clontarf protested to reduce a sea wall which just shows how far we have to go to get people to buy into there is a new reality on the way.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,475 ✭✭✭✭Thelonious Monk


    All parties have failed us, I agree with that.

    It seems to be next to impossible to change anything in this country with all the NIMBY nonsense and powerful lobbies.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,930 ✭✭✭Spudmonkey


    This is effectively the crux of of it. The vast majority of people are two focused on their day to day stuff to bother themselves with something which has no date. I can't understand how friends of mine with very young kids can be so oblivious to it. Like I said if I had them I think I'd be terrified, but then again if I did I'd probably be distracted so might not pay as much heed. Perhaps concerning ourselves with this is a luxury for those with time.

    I think were there a date we might act on it. The only thing I can think of which might compare was when SA was due to run out of water a few years back. They effectively gave people a date and said they'd have no water after say June 17th.... overnight people's behaviour changed and they ended up extending the date until luckily rain came. Its more of a change in behaviour in retrospect however rather than proactively doing it. We're not great at long term planning, as evidenced by..... well anything we do.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,475 ✭✭✭✭Thelonious Monk




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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,427 ✭✭✭dublin49


    You make a good point about bias but you cite an example that has nothing to do with climate change which is surprising.If you were able to demonstrate that the recent world wide outbreak of fires was statistically nothing out of the normal I would have been more inclined to accept your view.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,427 ✭✭✭dublin49


    I thought your point was my concern was a function of recent bias and thats the "view" I was commenting on



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,426 ✭✭✭PokeHerKing


    100 years ago there was only a quarter of the world population there is now. 100 years ago there was no TV, no Internet. 100 years ago there was no commercial flight. Realistically 100 years ago places were burning and there wasn't anybody there to report it or give a $hit. That is an undeniable fact.

    I'm not a climate change denier but just because 21st century melancholic adults living in an age of media and information saturation believe they're living through the end of days doesn't make it so.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,191 ✭✭✭RandomViewer


    Having a party leader running around in a big engined diesel van, spending thousands on cosmetic procedures on himself telling everyone else they have to fund his vanity, Get rid of that donkey and come back to us



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,427 ✭✭✭dublin49


    I think we can justifiably be concerned by recent Floods & fires without being labelled Melancholic pessimists with regard to climate change.



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  • Registered Users Posts: 1,812 ✭✭✭Eoinbmw


    You have Branson sending people on a jolly to the edge of space for 15 mins using as much fuel as a full transatlantic flight !

    Go to Monaco on an F1 weekend id say the Carbon footprint is ridiculous!

    Yet we are being questioned about having feckin children or eating a steak?

    We are plebs and its futile to think we can change anything!



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,306 ✭✭✭✭Drumpot


    I think there’s kind of a paradoxical issue with discussing these bigger issues. if people don’t care or have concern, they show no interest in fixing a problem. But we all have our own issues to deal with and it can be daunting trying to factor in bigger issues that are not directly affecting us now. I am able to discuss this topic without getting overly stressed, I can see t he dangers abs not live my life in fear. But it seems align of people cannot even contemplate this without feeling scared so choose to ignore or dismiss it,


    I agree, most people are absorbed in our own lives and our own important issues. There’s only so much energy we can give to things and it’s not easy to then add concern for bigger issues like climate change, lack of resources or other major events that we individuals have little control over.

    But there is a falacy argument that you have to be somehow scared or petrified of something to address it. You see it in the covid threads a lot where people use the derogatory “curtain twitchers” and other nonsense language to imply that people who take a more cautious approach to covid. It’s not shot who is right or wrong, it’s about an inability to see the topic any other way then you are interpreting it.

    The issue is that people don’t just not want to think about the bigger potential issues, they don’t want to suffer anything (financial pr luxury penalties) to mitigate these issues. So they hide behind “I don’t want to think about things I can’t control” and “I don’t want to pay on any level for this thing I don’t want to think about either”.

    You can see how deluded people are on the topic by reading some posts. They’ve already decided it’s not important purely because it’s what they want to believe. They aren’t interested in discussing it, just making statements that that confirms their bias.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,475 ✭✭✭✭Thelonious Monk


    Do you not agree the population of the world changing how they eat and produce food could help with biodiversity loss and climate change?



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,475 ✭✭✭✭Thelonious Monk


    How is this relevant? Should we not be concerned about the problems we are facing because of one mans actions?



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,136 ✭✭✭✭is_that_so


    The difficulty is that neither the plans nor the costs have been spelt out. To persuade the "intelligent" and others to back it, that must be clear along with how we plan to do it. You also might want to lay off on the right-thinking line as it tends to reflect back on you and it rarely changes any minds.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,426 ✭✭✭PokeHerKing


    Maybe not but having zero perspective on the issue is borderline hysteria imo.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,191 ✭✭✭RandomViewer


    How many things have you not bought because of the salesperson? Green party has filled itself with the wrong type of people, 30 years ago the likes of O Gorman and Smyth would've been preaching from a pulpit,



  • Registered Users Posts: 1,812 ✭✭✭Eoinbmw


    Maybe!

    The transportation of food across continents need to stop or be reduced i agree!

    I believe a country like Ireland could well manage for the most part with its current population!

    If you are suggesting for people to go vegan id like to hear how you think all that food will be farmed?

    Im 100% in favour of banning the use of palm oil and similar environmentally destructive ingredients in food being imported!



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,427 ✭✭✭dublin49


    Travel,Fuel ,food/packaging ,population are the areas we need to address if you agree with the climate change proposition.The Government battles will begin shortly when the good intentions,hollow promises are required to be transposed into serious societal change.Doubt the Greens will be able to stay in government much longer once the lobby groups start slowing things up.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,109 ✭✭✭✭cnocbui


    Even if everyone in Ireland went back to living as they would have in the stone age, it wouldn't matter one whit. The populations of China and India are not going to follow suit. Are they going to? No, so you might as well stop with the pointless hand-wringing, China will happily build an entire coal fired power station for every wind turbine Ireland puts up.



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