Will We Listen To 11,000 Scientists?

[spathiphyllum]

https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-emergency-scientists-emissions-letter-climate-change-a9185786.html

[Tilly2]

I'm already listening.

[teacake44]

All at once?

[spathiphyllum]

If they're saying the same thing it wouldn't be too hard.

[Rationalist]

Yes.
I am listening and will continue to listen.

[teacake44]

Much like Labour then.

[naomi24]

More hot air. As they say //“untold human suffering” is unavoidable without huge shifts in the way we live. //

There wont be.

[jim360]

Are we therefore doomed to "untold suffering", or might it be worth at least *trying* to avoid it?

[naomi24]

We could start by turning our computers off and saving energy... but we won't will we. Hot air.

[teacake44]

@12.06 but then I would turn the tv on. :0)

[jim360]

I don't see how that answers my question. And besides, the ultimate solution to a Climate Emergency comes from above, not below. Turning a computer off makes no difference if national governments across the world continue to pursue energy policies that exploit fossil fuels in place of renewable sources, or fail to penalise companies that do likewise.

[naomi24]

Exactly ... that will continue.

[mushroom25]

since one of the recommendations is to get a grip on the human population (rising by 200,000 a day) and since that's a total anathema to socialists, it won't happen.

[jim360]

So that leads me back to the question: are we therefore doomed to "untold human suffering", in your opinion?

Also, I am not sure it will continue. There has been a mood shift in recent months amongst most governments towards moving to more ambitious targets. How much this mood shift will translate into actual action is anyone's guess, but there's no sense in being defeatist. The technology exists, largely, to get us out of this mess, and the will is getting there too.

[jim360]

"since one of the recommendations is to get a grip on the human population (rising by 200,000 a day) and since that's a total anathema to socialists, it won't happen." (my italics)

One decent way to get a grip on population growth is by widening access to healthcare for women -- in the form of birth control, better education about sexual health, abortions, etc. I am not sure how any of this is anathema to socialists.

[mushroom25]

//One decent way to get a grip on population growth is by widening access to healthcare for women.. //

indeed. but when most of the areas with the fastest growing populations are led by cultures that treat women as chattels, what chance?

[jim360]

Women used to be treated as chattels across the world. What chance? Widen access to education. Don't treat foreign aid as something to be slashed, but if anything increased (although still make sure that it is targeted better than at present).

[mushroom25]

//Widen access to education.//

see above. murders have taken place in the name of this.

[Spicerack]

https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/93d6cb3980498698694426df01dd62efb20afa7bbc16ae2e1c5a0410e576b673.jpg?w=320&h=429

[jim360]

That isn't an excuse to stop trying, mushroom.

[Zacs-Master]

11000 Scientists who earn their living in this field. Mmm.

I know we have a global energy / pollution crisis but lets just remember these people have a vested interest (funding for research, mainly) in keeping the plate spinning so to speak.