|
|
Post by Bryn on Jan 18, 2010 7:24:55 GMT -5
if the artic ice is gone by 2050, then the water levels will have rosen to i forget if its 14 meters or 50 meters
|
|
|
|
Post by Sinbad on Jan 18, 2010 7:33:23 GMT -5
I am not sure about the numbers, but think that would be a bit high.
As a total counter argument, I recently read scraps of an article that arguments into another direction, namely that we might be in for another small ice age due a decrease in solar activity. Unfortunately this article was German and from a magazine, so I can´t share it.
|
|
|
|
Post by Bryn on Jan 18, 2010 7:35:25 GMT -5
interesting. but i doubt it. and Yes the water levels do seem high but think about how much ice is up in the artic.
|
|
|
|
Post by Sinbad on Jan 18, 2010 7:37:05 GMT -5
I think that the maximum level of what I thought would be 7 metres.
No doubt that this is a dramatic problem which is very important to be dealt with in the next decades, maybe centuries, but despite all this, I am also critical towards people like Al Gore and their way to put things.
|
|
|
|
Post by Guest on Jan 18, 2010 9:50:10 GMT -5
Not entirely hopeless, no, but I see the problem that bringing a change really is. This is not about single people or states - it's about the world. And it's no use if a few developed countries try to reduce their air pollution or something, when the others don't. And it's no use if some countries protect the environment when the rest of the world doesn't. But how can the rest? How can Africa, Asia, America - how can the poor countries of these continents possibly participate in saving this world? They should, yes. They should understand that in the end the effects of what is taking place will hurt them the most - but how do you tell a mother who has to feed her kids that she shall not burn down that forest in order to grow corn there? How shall you tell a developing country that they mustn't live through industrialisation? The developing countries want to develop just like the today's "rhich" countries did, and how can you possibly tell them not to and stay poor? That's the real problem, Sarah. We cannot change the world's fate without first changing humanity's fate. And this again can't happen because humanity is far too far away from solving it's problems. We are too many and acting too selfishly. And even if I try to do my little something in saving the planet, the mere sitting infront of that PC and using electricy to run it, works against it. So even if we want to help the planet and maybe seperate our garbage and go by feet/use the bike/ or at least use the public transport system instead of driving - the way we live our daily life destroys more than the little things we do for the planet can safe. Or what do you think keeping your flat warm during winter does to the climate? What do you think getting the pavements free of ice by using salt does to the ground? *notices she drifting off, gets back to the task* To my opinion, the only practical idea would be the laboured research on "clean" technologies, but that again is hard to achieve for till now it just takes a lot of money without being effective enough to really be profitable. And unfortunately in this world (almost) everything is about money.  I do believe that finally humanity will understand what this is all about ... but then, maybe it will be too late. Well, continue recycling, saving energy, and stuff. Saying that what I do won't affect anything is the big problem. It is just like saying that my vote won't change the outcome, so why should I vote. If everybody has that mentality, then nothing will get done. It starts with the efforts of the individual. If people follow your lead or not is their decision. But if their is no leader, then where would we go? Take the lead. Be the leader. And hope for the best. And also think big. Yes, little things such as saving energy and recycling may not have much impact individually, but what if we can find a way to dramatically reduce climate change. Use your head. What can we do? An endothermic reaction that absorbs heat? A way to eliminate heat absorbing carbon dioxide? There are ways to dramatically reduce temperature being discussed, but a meaningful solution that won't have side effects has not been agreed on. We need everybody to contribute ideas to find a solution. And the clock is ticking. Like I say, I can help save the world, or I can help destroy it. But if I don't do anything, it will destroy us. *applauds on everything Doubar just said*  if the artic ice is gone by 2050, then the water levels will have rosen to i forget if its 14 meters or 50 meters If the arctic melts, the sea level will rise by 2 meters. If the Greenland ice sheet melts, the sea level will rise by about 7.2 meters, meaning every major city except Moscow will be underwater. And yes, the Soviets tried to melt Greenland unsuccessfully to drown every major city except Moscow. It was a Russian conspiracy. ;D |
|
|
|
Post by Sinbad on Jan 18, 2010 10:00:17 GMT -5
Sarah, I think there are things that we can do, things like the ones Doubar mentioned. We can also spread the awareness and this is where I see my possibilities in my job: teach kids not to waste energy by telling them not to and by being a good example. But quite honestly, it´s not everybody´s thing to be a leader. There are people who can move things because they can work big. Let´s say there is me and there is someone like Obama. Obama is in a much better position to do something than I am. People who are in a public position have far better possibilities to get active in a way that it will have an effect. And I wouldn´t compare things to voting there because that´s two entirely different things. I mean, there is things I can do but that, too, has a limit. There are so many problems in this world, where am I going to start and where am I going to stop. Of course I can do my little things such as not wasting energy and such as donating money now and then, but that is important, too. If everyone does that, then a lot will be gained and then our voices combined will have an effect, jsut like with the vote. However, as I said there are limits. I can´t abandon everything else to take up fighting world hunger or global warming on a big scale because I´m not in the position to. Had I felt like I was or was that where I saw my task, I would have become a politician or something else, a job where I can move things into that direction. But we are not useless because we chose differently. All of us can do something, but we can not do everything and that´s the important point. And if everyone did what they can do in their position, then the world would be a better place. It doesn´t mean that I have to abandon everything else today and start fighting global warming, it means that I should spread the awareness. And also think big. Yes, little things such as saving energy and recycling may not have much impact individually, but what if we can find a way to dramatically reduce climate change. Use your head. What can we do? An endothermic reaction that absorbs heat? A way to eliminate heat absorbing carbon dioxide? There are ways to dramatically reduce temperature being discussed, but a meaningful solution that won't have side effects has not been agreed on. We need everybody to contribute ideas to find a solution. That´s what I was referring to. I´m a teacher, no scientist. |
|
|
|
Post by Guest on Jan 18, 2010 10:16:09 GMT -5
Yes, spread awareness and do your little things. Recycle. Save energy. No, I am not asking you to give up everything. I am asking you to contribute. And yes, you are no scientist, but you still can provide ideas. Read about research. Be aware of new ideas and give me your input, your ideas. Yes, I am the scientist, so ultimately it is my job. By scientists see things differently than other people. You may be able to come up with a solution that we have overlooked.  |
|
|
|
Post by Sinbad on Jan 18, 2010 10:18:54 GMT -5
Good, then I probably got you wrong.  SOmetimes you come across as somewhat uber-enthusiastic when it´s about such things that it might appear to others, me at least, that you half expect others to think and react the same way. But sorry if that was a misinterpretation on my side. |
|
|
|
Post by Guest on Jan 18, 2010 10:28:52 GMT -5
No harm done. And again, if we work together, do want we can do to save the planet, provide different ideas and viewpoints, and spread awareness, then we will find a solution. This won't be easy. It is a long hard road. And hehe, you can think of me as the Avatar, calling out the battle cry. This is in some sense a battle: a battle to save the planet we know. So again, are you with me?  |
|
|
|
Post by Doubar on Jan 18, 2010 11:23:13 GMT -5
*applauds on everything Doubar just said* Thank you, Sinbad. And, aya, ... *nods to all what you have said as well* @sarah: Well, I'm sorry if my words came across wrong to you, but I never said I would stop doing what little I can contribute. I myself am convinced that even a rain drop on the dried up ground can help, but there's a difference between that one and really turning the world's fate into a new direction. Basically what I was aiming at, is what Sinbad already explained to you in the meantime. |
|
|
|
Post by Guest on Jan 18, 2010 11:38:17 GMT -5
@sarah: Well, I'm sorry if my words came across wrong to you, but I never said I would stop doing what little I can contribute. I myself am convinced that even a rain drop on the dried up ground can help, but there's a difference between that one and really turning the world's fate into a new direction. Basically what I was aiming at, is what Sinbad already explained to you in the meantime. Good, so you are contributing. Anybody else? And no, I don't expect you to find a solution or steer the ship. I am captain. But I need your help. I need you to do what little you can do. And if you have any news, ideas, or whatever, tell me. Inform the captain. |
|
|
|
Post by Maeve on Jan 18, 2010 12:24:45 GMT -5
Aye, aye!!! Recycle, compost, walk, watch out for the quantity of water you use, respect the fauna and flora, but above all things, help the consciousness grow in the people around you, help them understand that the human race is slowly destroying the planet that gave birth to it. It's hard task, I'll give you that, but we must all start somewhere... Hopefully, one day we can: Heal the world and make it a better place |
|
|
|
Post by Doubar on Jan 18, 2010 12:26:51 GMT -5
Rumina: Awww, nice quote you used. I love that song.
|
|
|
|
Post by Guest on Jan 18, 2010 13:34:09 GMT -5
Aye, aye!!! Recycle, compost, walk, watch out for the quantity of water you use, respect the fauna and flora, but above all things, help the consciousness grow in the people around you, help them understand that the human race is slowly destroying the planet that gave birth to it. It's hard task, I'll give you that, but we must all start somewhere... Hopefully, one day we can: Heal the world and make it a better place Aye! So you're with me! Good. I can use some magic. And yes, we must all start somewhere. And today will be day one. We start today. |
|
|
|
Post by Guest on Jan 27, 2010 1:01:23 GMT -5
|
|
SOmetimes you come across as somewhat uber-enthusiastic when it´s about such things that it might appear to others, me at least, that you half expect others to think and react the same way. But sorry if that was a misinterpretation on my side. 
