Recycling

[Albert Tatlock]

They say that the environment is the thing that will cave in and kill us all in the future, and I believe that.

I think it's already happening, just look at the way our glaciers are retreating.

Until this issue is looked at properly from a global perspective - by all countries - IMHO we are pi**ing in the wind. The UK currently emits 2% of all CO2 emissions, the island probaby 0.005% or whatever. But with a population over a billion each, and as developing countries, China and India (and many other countries) are going to emit a lot more pollutants before (if ever) we reach the point when overall CO2 levels start to go down.

 

IMHO, the real answer is to lower populations - yet many countries are still claiming they need to encourage their populations to have more kids - mainly for reasons of economic growth and to finance increasingly elderly populations. Estimates for world population show an increase from the current 6 billion to 10 billion by 2050. Realistically, at the current rate of progress I can't see governments acting collectively for at least another 50 years until we are really in the sh 1 t.

[Nitro]

Americains use the most fuel and should do something about it, They just don't need to drive V8 tanks.

[VinnieK]

Until this issue is looked at properly from a global perspective - by all countries - IMHO we are pi**ing in the wind. The UK currently emits 2% of all CO2 emissions,

 

This is a bit of a distortion of the issue. There are more benefits from recycling than merely global ones that require the entire world to participate, if anything the local benefits, such as cutting down on landfill and potential reclamation of resources are more immediate and are a worthy goal in their own right.

 

IMHO, the real answer is to lower populations - yet many countries are still claiming they need to encourage their populations to have more kids - mainly for reasons of economic growth and to finance increasingly elderly populations. Estimates for world population show an increase from the current 6 billion to 10 billion by 2050. Realistically, at the current rate of progress I can't see governments acting collectively for at least another 50 years until we are really in the sh 1 t.

 

China has been subject to a one child policy since the 70's, with the only effect that can directly be linked to the policy being an increase in child abandonment and infanticide. Attempts there to slow the birth rate through a system of fines and incentives have succeeded only in creating new social ills to deal with, without even having as great an effect as was desired. As such, lowering the global population is an answer, but it's far from being real answer, in the sense that it's a pipe dream that ignores both human nature and economic realities.

 

Even with the strongest of convictions, the state is largely powerless to control its birthrate (various attempts to deliberately and directly drive up the birth rate in European countries have historically been as much of a faliure as China's attempt to drive theirs down), and so the only feasible measures it can take with regards to the environment involve concentrating on what it can control through legislation. Direct methods include the disposal of waste, subsidising resource reclamation programmes, and stimulating research and development in less damaging manufacturing and power generating processes, whilst indirect methods involve increasing prosperity and education (both of which have been linked to a reduction in birth rate) through taxation schemes, attracting investment, and increasing access to secondary and higher education.

[GD4ELI]

Problem-hit carmaker General Motors has offered to subsidise petrol prices for drivers of its vehicles in California and Florida in order to boost sales.

 

BBC News GM to top up drivers' fuel bills

 

Anyway looks like GM may go bust soon.

[Theskeat]

I Florida your waste is put into seperate bags and the bin men will collect it and dispose of it into the correct wagan, they wont do that here on the Island as the bin men are not allowed to pick any bags or boxes up, health and safety regs again.

[Albert Tatlock]

I love that speech in the film 'The Matrix' by Agent Smith, which I think best sums up human beings and their care and treatment of the planet:

 

AGENT SMITH: "I'd like to share a revelation that I've had during my time here. It came to me when I tried to classify your species. I've realised that you are not actually mammals.

 

Every mammal on this planet instinctively develops a natural equilibrium with the surrounding environment. But you humans do not. You move to an area and you multiply and multiply until every natural resource is consumed and the only way you can survive is to spread to another area.

 

There is another organism on this planet that follows the same pattern. Do you know what it is? A virus.

 

Human beings are a disease, a cancer of this planet. You are a plague. And we are... the cure."

 

 

 

...I think he had a point!

 

Signed: Albert's Laptop.

[When Skies Are Grey]

Could it be that global warming is just a myth....or that the current warming of the earth is just part of a continual warming and cooling cycle of the planet. All we are doing is measuring such a small part of the overall lifespan of the earth that it suits the commercialists to put us in to a climate of fear that we consume to appease the fear.

 

Just a thought....

[Nitro]

Also how much crude oil is left?

 

With diferent reports saying 20 years its actually a lot that must be left!

 

Just think if everyone cut there emissions by half then that would be 40 years worth left?

[Albert Tatlock]

Also how much crude oil is left?

 

Crude Oil !

[Minxie]

Could it be that global warming is just a myth....or that the current warming of the earth is just part of a continual warming and cooling cycle of the planet. All we are doing is measuring such a small part of the overall lifespan of the earth that it suits the commercialists to put us in to a climate of fear that we consume to appease the fear.

 

Did you know that after Krakatoa errupted in 1883 the volcanic dust veil that created such spectacular atmospheric effects also acted as a solar radiation filter, lowering global temperatures as much as 1.2 degree C in the year after the eruption. Temperatures did not return to normal until 1888.

[Stu Peters]

I don't agree. You have enought energy and enthusiasm to consume; you should reserve some for tidying up after yourself. You have a car (or two) so you're not in the same situation as a lady in Laxey (Dan's show yesterday).

Consuming isn't an option. Recycling is.

 

If you buy something with excess packaging then leave the packaging at the store. Two examples from my own experience during April: Waltons will let you leave the packaging behind as will Shoprite Ramsey.

 

Yep, that would have been a real smart way to get my new telly. With no protective packaging. Which I've kept to use when I move. How green am I?

 

I don't agree with lower rates for recyclers - the continental approach where we pay per bag-load of rubbish and free bins for glass, metals, plastics etc. ensures the maximum result. So you pay for the refuse you generate which you don't recycle.

 

Whatever...same result, different recipe.

 

Your grandstand argument is based on your lazy sofa-centric approach to life - you drive around all the time; you only have to organise yourself so that you take things to be recycled with you when you'll be going past a site such as the Grandstand, Ayres Amenity centre or Ramsey Shoprite is all it takes.

 

So carrying around bags of shite in the boot is a good idea is it, R2D2? I can go weeks without passing the grandstand. And how dare you call me lazy because I don't share your hammy views, you droid!

 

If my 81 year-old mother can recycle then so can you.

 

Yes I can. Difference is, she chooses to and I don't. I'm all for recycling per se but have no desire to waste my own sofa time doing it. I'd rather pay people to do it for me.

 

Finally: If you don't respect our planet how can you expect other people to respect you?

 

I don't EXPECT respect from the planet, you, or anyone else. I earn it Mafia-style by carrying out hits for The Don. I'm thinking of an offer you can't refuse and looking for a recycled horse's ass to send you.

 

Now calm down, smell the organic, fairtrade, home-ground coffee and understand that taking an opposite view is the best way to generate debate.

[ans]

Also how much crude oil is left?

 

In before Peak Oil jokes!