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Greenland ice sheet is close to a melting point of no return

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Re: Greenland ice sheet is close to a melting point of no return

#111

Post by EngManagerIsMe »

ryandrake wrote: post #11

Every time there's an article about climate change, it's always about how we're "close to the point of no return." It's felt like the Truck Almost Hitting The Pole GIF[1] for like 10 years now. Has anything actually gone past the point of no return? I'll almost be relieved when we're officially inevitably fucked... at least these "nearly there!" articles won't keep popping up. 1: https://tenor.com/view/truck-crash-te…

Species extinction is very real, and ongoing. There's little more irreversible than a whole species ceasing to exist.

Re: Greenland ice sheet is close to a melting point of no return

#112

Post by onion2k »

anonyfox wrote: post #93

And still here we are, and no one yet has found an effective argument that convinces people that: yes, this climate catastrophe is real, on track to happen, and within our lifetime. We, as humanity, know what causes it, why it happens, what can be done to stop it, and even a few things to revert parts of it. The knowledge is there. Scientists proved things. Engineers built stuff. The literally only thing is that we a…

And still here we are, and no one yet has found an effective argument that convinces people that: yes, this climate catastrophe is real, on track to happen, and within our lifetime.

Everyone who 'doesn't believe in' climate change has a vested interest in maintaining the status quo - they profit from fossil fuels or from misinformation, or they're narsessistically enjoying other people's discomfort from their arguments, or they're just stupid. There is no point trying to convince them. We have to fix the problems without their help.

Re: Greenland ice sheet is close to a melting point of no return

#113

Post by dpedu »

neerd wrote: post #10

Does anyone have suggestions for how an individual can feel like they’re actually doing something. I already make donations to organizations that advocate for climate activism, vote at local and national level for candidates what support climate action, and in my own live I try to be conscious about the environment impacts or my lifestyle and purchases. Despite all that I still feel like I'm changing nothing. I still…

> Despite all that I still feel like I'm changing nothing.

You're doing the right thing. Saving the planet isn't sexy. It's getting a few more years out of your old car instead of buying another. It's skipping a few generations of iPhone and making your current device last longer. It's skipping that vacation to Aruba this year. It's researching dozens of brands at your supermarket and being a patron of those with better practices, rather than those you prefer.

Re: Greenland ice sheet is close to a melting point of no return

#114

Post by [deleted] »

Timon3 wrote: post #91
nostrademons wrote: post #75

Earlier quoted context omitted.

We already are officially inevitably fucked. If you corner a climate scientist in private and point out the real implications of their work, they might even admit it. The problem is you can't admit that we're officially inevitably fucked in public. If you did that, funding for climate science and climate mitigation would dry up, because there's nothing we can realistically do about it. Trust in governments would evap…

It's not quite this binary. Yes, we're fucked. But the less we do, the worse we're fucked. It's better to have a glimmer of hope and use that to unfuck what you can.

[deleted]

Re: Greenland ice sheet is close to a melting point of no return

#115

Post by slibhb »

ako wrote: post #109
anonyfox wrote: post #93

And still here we are, and no one yet has found an effective argument that convinces people that: yes, this climate catastrophe is real, on track to happen, and within our lifetime. We, as humanity, know what causes it, why it happens, what can be done to stop it, and even a few things to revert parts of it. The knowledge is there. Scientists proved things. Engineers built stuff. The literally only thing is that we a…

Unfortunately, the only proof I see is that you’re expecting too much from humans. We’re just not very rational, and have a problem doing the right thing. We believe in unproven stories about gods, kill millions of people for temporary greed, power or believing the wrong lies, and we lie and deceive to gain power or wealth, and have a hard time sharing with those in need (actually sending fugitives back to sea knowin…

It seems that, shockingly, "people are an evil, ravenous cancer hellbent on destroying their planet" isn't a story that the masses find compelling.

Re: Greenland ice sheet is close to a melting point of no return

#116

Post by jenadine »

neerd wrote: post #10

Does anyone have suggestions for how an individual can feel like they’re actually doing something. I already make donations to organizations that advocate for climate activism, vote at local and national level for candidates what support climate action, and in my own live I try to be conscious about the environment impacts or my lifestyle and purchases. Despite all that I still feel like I'm changing nothing. I still…

All I can think of is to build many nuclear power plant in a remote place, and use the energy to do carbon capture, somehow.

That's based on the assumption that the CO₂ removed from the atmosphere is worse that the produced nuclear waste.

Re: Greenland ice sheet is close to a melting point of no return

#117

Post by EngManagerIsMe »

neerd wrote: post #10

Does anyone have suggestions for how an individual can feel like they’re actually doing something. I already make donations to organizations that advocate for climate activism, vote at local and national level for candidates what support climate action, and in my own live I try to be conscious about the environment impacts or my lifestyle and purchases. Despite all that I still feel like I'm changing nothing. I still…

I bought some forest land, and I'm restoring it to riparian habitat. It's not world changing, but if a few hundred acres can be returned to a natural state and grow large, carbon sucking trees, I feel like I'll have done a net good over my life.

This required giving up on some other goals though. I don't know that there's a lot you can do that is sacrifice free.

I've also gone to a mostly vegetarian diet -- preferring to source meat only from local farmers I've met in person. If I haven't met the farmer, I won't eat the meat. This reduces the amount of meat I eat, but still lets me seek it out. Maybe this helps, maybe it doesn't, but it's a pretty easy rule to follow that doesn't require me to be a strict vegetarian. I can have my beef stew as a treat, but also know that I'm not contributing to a massive industry of wasteful excess with every meal.

Re: Greenland ice sheet is close to a melting point of no return

#118

Post by chollida1 »

0xbadcafebee wrote: post #42
neerd wrote: post #10

Does anyone have suggestions for how an individual can feel like they’re actually doing something. I already make donations to organizations that advocate for climate activism, vote at local and national level for candidates what support climate action, and in my own live I try to be conscious about the environment impacts or my lifestyle and purchases. Despite all that I still feel like I'm changing nothing. I still…

I work in climate change. I changed my job in order to do so. The pace of change feels glacial (badum-bum). The same can be said of politics, and everything else that involves way too many interests fighting over a very small set of resources. You will never not feel helpless. Greta Thunberg probably felt helpless. But she turned that feeling into anger, and that anger into action. Henry Rollins said he stays angry,…

> Greta Thunberg probably felt helpless. But she turned that feeling into anger, and that anger into action.

Serious question.

What impact has she had? I haven't seen any changes from her actions. People knew about climate change before she came around. What changes did she create?

Re: Greenland ice sheet is close to a melting point of no return

#119

Post by [deleted] »

fnimick wrote: post #102
awb wrote: post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Leading by example is a great place to start. Otherwise you have to make green choices a win/win or change people’s minds. EVs are a good example of a win/win. Most people weren’t willing to sacrifice range or power in their vehicles. But now that the range and power is there and electricity is cheaper than gas it’s more of a win/win. Changing minds is a lot harder.

What about not having a personal vehicle at all?

[deleted]

Re: Greenland ice sheet is close to a melting point of no return

#120

Post by dpedu »

airstrike wrote: post #23
mongol wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What sacrifices can you do in your own life? That is certainly the easiest and most certain way you can contribute. The impact will be limited no doubt, but the most obvious place to start.

> What sacrifices can you do in your own life? That is certainly the easiest and most certain way you can contribute. The impact will be limited no doubt, but the most obvious place to start. Respectfully, I think a better plan is to work hard to reach a position of power and/or leadership, and then make changes that affect millions. Minor changes in my household have relatively zero impact in the big picture.

I think you'll find it very difficult to convince people to make a sacrifice that you are not willing to make yourself. Or are you talking about forcing them?
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