Happy Earth Day
Cats: Canada, environment|This day marks the birth of the modern environmental movement which began in 1970.
Back then, the issues were pollution, extinction of wildlife, construction of freeways and dumping raw sewage into the ocean. Today the issues are more focused on global warming and clean energy.
Days like Earth Day do create awareness and momentum but political leaders are the “deaf, dumb and blind kids” of the environmental movement. (Canada just cut its environment department budget by $50M. Ah, leadership!)
Neither Earth Day nor our visionless political leaders will stop our hyper-consumption and oil-guzzling ways. That will happen when the supply of oil declines.
Just last week I read that the CEO of Total - one of the biggest oil companies in the world - is worried that global supply of oil is not keeping up with global demand. Think tanks have predicted that this scenario will result in rising fuel prices and food prices.
Hmmmm. This is happening now all over the world right now, isn’t it?
Me? I hang out my clothes, turn off the heat, click off lights, stay away from malls and take the bus.
I like doing this stuff but I don’t think it makes much difference. I think the laws of supply and demand will rule the day and achieve some of the goals of Earth Day.
April 22nd, 2008 at 11:38 am
Given that we are merely 10000 years away from our next ice age I think we’re on the right track…
I jest. We are seeing the impacts of ‘growth’. It is the single greatest factor detracting from our planets health. It’s really ironic that in one breath we identify the need for conservation, and in the next we cling to the economic growth model as a measure of our countries health.
April 22nd, 2008 at 12:04 pm
What’s the argument against malls, GT? I’ve never heard that one…
April 22nd, 2008 at 1:40 pm
In San Francisco, we’ve banned Styrofoam containers which are pretty cool because there is a Silicone Valley company that makes take out food containers out of biodegradable materials. We’ve also banned plastic bags for chain grocery stores, which makes for really irritated old ladies who have to struggle with their groceries.
April 22nd, 2008 at 2:43 pm
I smoke weed. That’s good for the environment, right?
All the do-gooder hippies I know smoke weed, so I just connected the dots.
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:15 pm
Oh, oh, The Missus will tell you that I recycle the same eight jokes!
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:25 pm
Dick I;ve just lent EKH a book called The Long Emergency. I think it would appeal to you as well. Check it out. The author’s last name is Knustler. And he lives in Saratoga Springs no less.
Deepti, we’ve had the mall talk elsewhere. WE are at one.
WP, yes the plastic bag banning has taken hold here too.
BeckEye, your depth continues to amaze me.
WPII, (direct article deleted) Missus sounds like a saint.
April 22nd, 2008 at 11:49 pm
And here in oil country, our government is claiming that nonexistent technology will save the day. We’ve got our heads stuck in the (oil)sands.
April 23rd, 2008 at 1:02 am
I ate a bald eagle today in honor of Earth Day. Tastes like chicken.
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:01 am
“WPII, (direct article deleted) Missus sounds like a saint.”
She is and Amnesty International wants her freed, believing the same eight jokes are cruel and unusual punishment that no human should ever have to endure.
April 23rd, 2008 at 1:00 pm
Hmm. I thought I already responded here? Maybe elsewhere.
BB, the oil sands is a huge resource, but it requires massive inputs of water and it refining it produces huge CO2 emissions as I understand. What is the technology that will save the day?
Falwless, when I first read your comment I thought it said “children” not “chicken.” Somehow comparing it to “chicken” made it better for me.
WP, where to I sign up to Free (direct article deleted) Missus?
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:34 pm
Carbon capture. It apparently is being developed, but at this point is still pretend.
April 24th, 2008 at 6:49 am
Oh yes, carbon capture. I’ll look it up.
Thanks