Live data from Hacker News

Harvey Didn't Come Out of the Blue. Now Is the Time to Talk about Climate Change

theintercept.com

1–10 of 105 posts

Re: Harvey Didn't Come Out of the Blue. Now Is the Time to Talk about Climate Change

#2
Harvey was a hurricane. It could have occurred anywhere on the Gulf Coast. There is no direct relationship between climate change and any particular named storm.

To argue otherwise is to destroy one's credibility.

The problems that exacerbated the disaster of Harvey are indeed linked to climate change, but not in the simple-minded way that Naomi Klein makes out. The economic factors that lead to high-density construction in flood zones are the same as those that drive the wasteful use of fossil fuel energy. Overpopulation, overbuilding, market-driven urban planning practices, shoddy construction intended to maximize profit and waste while minimizing safety--all of these underlie both climate change and the disaster in Houston.

Raving about climate change as if every hurricane is a direct consequence is both intellectually ridiculous and it ignores the root cause: us and our wasteful, idiotic consumerism. If we understand that we, and not corporations or governments, are the root cause, we can fix climate change almost overnight by two simple expedients: stop having babies and stop buying things that we don't absolutely need.

By doing so, we could exercise power over the corporations that we unfairly demonize. No company is going to dig oil out of the ground if the demand does not justify it.

Klain's worst offence is being a stupid liberal, just like the ones who drove 36 hours or more one-way to join the protest at Standing Rock in gas-powered vehicles. Want to stop an oil pipeline? Stop using oil. It's easy: at least 80% of our energy use is wasted. Just cut the waste.

When stupid liberals write articles like this, a backlash is inevitable. Want four more years of Trump? Want the alt-right marching in the streets? Keep writing articles like this.

Instead, be a smart liberal. Start by having a look in the mirror.

Re: Harvey Didn't Come Out of the Blue. Now Is the Time to Talk about Climate Change

#3
post #2

Harvey was a hurricane. It could have occurred anywhere on the Gulf Coast. There is no direct relationship between climate change and any particular named storm. To argue otherwise is to destroy one's credibility. The problems that exacerbated the disaster of Harvey are indeed linked to climate change, but not in the simple-minded way that Naomi Klein makes out. The economic factors that lead to high-density construc…

'market-driven urban planning practices'

National Flood Insurance Program subsidizes building in flood-prone areas. Doesn't sound very market-driven to me.

Re: Harvey Didn't Come Out of the Blue. Now Is the Time to Talk about Climate Change

#4
post #2

Harvey was a hurricane. It could have occurred anywhere on the Gulf Coast. There is no direct relationship between climate change and any particular named storm. To argue otherwise is to destroy one's credibility. The problems that exacerbated the disaster of Harvey are indeed linked to climate change, but not in the simple-minded way that Naomi Klein makes out. The economic factors that lead to high-density construc…

'market-driven urban planning practices' National Flood Insurance Program subsidizes building in flood-prone areas. Doesn't sound very market-driven to me.

No true market.

Re: Harvey Didn't Come Out of the Blue. Now Is the Time to Talk about Climate Change

#5
post #2

Harvey was a hurricane. It could have occurred anywhere on the Gulf Coast. There is no direct relationship between climate change and any particular named storm. To argue otherwise is to destroy one's credibility. The problems that exacerbated the disaster of Harvey are indeed linked to climate change, but not in the simple-minded way that Naomi Klein makes out. The economic factors that lead to high-density construc…

Not all cases of lung cancer are caused by smoking. There's no way to prove that a particular case of lung cancer was caused by smoking. Does that mean we shouldn't talk about lung cancer as a reason to avoid smoking?

Re: Harvey Didn't Come Out of the Blue. Now Is the Time to Talk about Climate Change

#6
post #2

Harvey was a hurricane. It could have occurred anywhere on the Gulf Coast. There is no direct relationship between climate change and any particular named storm. To argue otherwise is to destroy one's credibility. The problems that exacerbated the disaster of Harvey are indeed linked to climate change, but not in the simple-minded way that Naomi Klein makes out. The economic factors that lead to high-density construc…

Nevertheless, now is the time to talk about climate change, and has been for some time.

Re: Harvey Didn't Come Out of the Blue. Now Is the Time to Talk about Climate Change

#7
post #2

Harvey was a hurricane. It could have occurred anywhere on the Gulf Coast. There is no direct relationship between climate change and any particular named storm. To argue otherwise is to destroy one's credibility. The problems that exacerbated the disaster of Harvey are indeed linked to climate change, but not in the simple-minded way that Naomi Klein makes out. The economic factors that lead to high-density construc…

I'm more interested in sea level rise and warmer oceans as direct catalysts for more powerful storms with larger impacts occurring more frequently. The fact that we indiscriminately build cities and industries close to the coast obviously doesn't help.

Re: Harvey Didn't Come Out of the Blue. Now Is the Time to Talk about Climate Change

#8
post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

'market-driven urban planning practices' National Flood Insurance Program subsidizes building in flood-prone areas. Doesn't sound very market-driven to me.

No true market.

If its bad, it never is.

Re: Harvey Didn't Come Out of the Blue. Now Is the Time to Talk about Climate Change

#9
post #2

Harvey was a hurricane. It could have occurred anywhere on the Gulf Coast. There is no direct relationship between climate change and any particular named storm. To argue otherwise is to destroy one's credibility. The problems that exacerbated the disaster of Harvey are indeed linked to climate change, but not in the simple-minded way that Naomi Klein makes out. The economic factors that lead to high-density construc…

Yes, overall, if you care that deeply about climate change you should not procreate - you may also consider an early exit for yourself. Then there is the eco-terrorist who will justify early exists for others by saving the planet. If you think those that supported Trump were bad now, just wait till "stupid liberals" start telling people who can and can not have babies. Good luck.

Obviously, the above is ridiculous.

Re: Harvey Didn't Come Out of the Blue. Now Is the Time to Talk about Climate Change

#10
post #2

Harvey was a hurricane. It could have occurred anywhere on the Gulf Coast. There is no direct relationship between climate change and any particular named storm. To argue otherwise is to destroy one's credibility. The problems that exacerbated the disaster of Harvey are indeed linked to climate change, but not in the simple-minded way that Naomi Klein makes out. The economic factors that lead to high-density construc…

> stop having babies

Most of the west has already drastically reduced the number of babies. All that happened is we were told we need immigration instead.

Post reply on HN