Is it too late to save the planet?

voxxov (42) · 6 years ago (edited)

Thanks for the intro, buddy. Great to see a couple of suggestions too. I'll be writing a piece shortly on complexity of the challenge shortly, and will link back here. :) Good to see the tags your using too.

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steevc (73) · 6 years ago

I expect some more thoughtful posts from you. Quite happy to get some music and art too. We need something to keep our spirits up.

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kabir88 (60) · 6 years ago (edited)

What it all comes down to is energy. There are those who currently have a monopoly on energy supply and they want to keep it that.

It's sad when we see people going thirsty for energy when most of this planet is bathed in limitless solar energy everyday.

Think about how much power it takes to heat a room from 10 to 25 degrees C. That's how much energy the sun provides, not just to heat up one room, but whole continents.

When the most valuable company on the planet is working on how to remove your headphone jack from their newest shiniest phone, we know capitalism does not align with what we need for this planet to survive and prosper.

Luckily, we have crypto currency, where the value comes from those that opt-in to a community. It will be a combination of great technology and human communities, that will see the most amazing decentralised movements like we have never seen before. It may take a few years or a few decades, but there is hope and if you're using the steem blockchain, you're already at the cutting edge.

Enjoy the ride and don't lose hope!

steevc (73) · 6 years ago (edited)

Monopolies are a problem. That's where governments need to step in and control them. Politicians should be serving those who vote for them rather than those with the money. We have to somehow show them that. Voting them out is one way. With things like the Apple phones people should take a stand and not buy them. Nobody needs an iPhone, but they fall for the marketing.

Crypto does give us some possibilities, but I could get into the damage mining it does. At least Steem doesn't use that much energy.

BTW Please don't upvote your own comments. Let others choose what it is worth. I know you need votes to boost your rep, but I would have voted anyway.

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kabir88 (60) · 6 years ago

Unfortunately, no one seems to have the courage to tackle the political funding issue. I think some form of public funding mixed with strictly controlled voter direct contributions is the answer. No one should be allowed to donate more than £1,000 in a year to a political party. This would mean political parties would be forced to look for a broader number of funding sources and not be beholden to one or two large donors.

I think the reports of emissions from crypto mining of crypto is overblown based on my research. Whether it's miners or a 100,000 people sitting at a bank HQ, I think bitcoin is probably more green as a money source than traditional banks. I expect the vast majority of the newer Cryptos to be proof of stake, like steem.

Self vote was for visibility, have had people complain about not seeing my comments. Hopefully won't be an issue soon!

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4 votes

bozz (70) · 6 years ago

I don't have much of a comment on this being from the US. Unfortunately executive orders have become the norm and are trumping(pun intended) the will of the people.

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steevc (73) · 6 years ago

The people need to speak out. Have to fight for a better future, but not with violence

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plantstoplanks (67) · 6 years ago

Great points all around! I am fully sold on the plant-based lifestyle for so many reasons, and I've really worked hard this year to focus on consuming foods predominantly grown in my state to help my environmental impact even more. I've also shifted my perspective on my consumption of other goods, as well. I got out and voted today here in the Southern USA, so I can only hope that makes a difference in this crucial election. Thanks for keeping the conversation going on this because it really is damn important!

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steevc (73) · 6 years ago

Good for you. It looks like the vote had a good effect, but we have to keep up the pressure.

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thebigsweed (64) · 6 years ago (edited)

Until big business gets on board with the issues of Global Warming, I feel like we are running in quick sand. This does not deter me from doing all I can, but it is disheartening. Around two years ago I thought to myself, what the hell am I doing. Where I live there is no garbage or recycling pick-up service. All trash and recyclable material has to be taken to the county dump site by the homeowners. If you only have a little trash you put it into dumpsters that they have for you as you pull in. If you have a large amount of trash they direct you to an area where the city waste in trucked in and dumped directly into the landfill. That day I had a truck full of garbage and was directed to go directly to the landfill area to off load the garbage. Previously I had just taken the recycles I had and placed them in the right bins. While I was in the landfill area with the big boys, a Tandem tractor pulled in and raised its dump body. to my complete surprise there was nothing but plastic and glass bottles pouring out. I had to scratch my head, as they had just disposed of more recycles than I would use in a life time!

steevc (73) · 6 years ago

We need some mix of carrot and stick to encourage better habits.

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lizziesworld (64) · 6 years ago

Yes we do need to feel scared as I feel it is already too late.
I saw a documentary a few years ago on the use of fossil fuels and how they are killing our planet - oceans included.
The research showed that it would be possible to try and reverse things if the mining stopped immediately - as I said this was aa few years ago, and if not stopped, the result would be a ripple effect of death on the planet.
We can all do our bit, but I am afraid that when it comes to big money driven companies, it is much to late.

bjornb (59) · 6 years ago

Great post, and great introduction for @voxxov! 😉
Good list of possible actions to take! Lowering meat consumption right now!

Posted using Partiko iOS

steevc (73) · 6 years ago

That's a good move. I'm happy he came back after so long, but we do keep contact elsewhere.

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teamhumble (74) · 6 years ago

Good points and tips! Hear hear!

rossfletcher (69) · 6 years ago

Such a huge topic. I'm 60 years old and we have been working at this since i was in first grade in elementary school 54 years ago collecting newspapers and aluminum for recycling. Every step of the way was fought back against by "them"?!? Here's just one thought about air conditioning. In the South Western U.S, six months of the year or more the temperatures are 90 to 115 degrees. This is an insane heat that is miserable at best and fatal at worst to older people and anyone sick. Doing without is not an option that most anyone would want to face. Dialing back to 95 degrees or 100? Solar and wind power could make a huge difference but... Yeah... but. I really don't even want to hit post on this because of the non stop backlash i get every time i engage on this topic. This is the insanity we face all over the world

steevc (73) · 6 years ago

I've been involved in recycling and stuff for decades too. I know some locations have extreme weather, but enforcing better building design reduces the need for cooling and solar should be a natural if you get that much sun. I hear about some authorities actively discouraging people from having their own solar and that's just wrong.

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rossfletcher (69) · 6 years ago (edited)

I don't know all the details but yes it's complicated and expensive for homeowners to go solar and impossible for renters. My Local University, Long Beach State has put up some large panels over much of the parking lot areas and it's really great. It's what needs to get done... but only for people who are thinking about the big picture and actually living in the future. I live in a really "strange" area. There's oil wells all around me on land, oil drilling platforms in the ocean and one of the worlds busiest ports all within a few square miles. The amount money flowing around in relation to this is mind boggling. There are no projects to utilize wind or solar here at all. Fact is most people probably don't want it or understand how it would be good for them and their kids. I apologize for this... it's pretty upsetting and i just barely touched the tip of a massive iceberg of shit and left out what might possibly happen that will make things much worse than they are presently

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stavrin (60) · 6 years ago

Great points made Steve . Although individual efforts are a great way of contributing to solving the problem , i'm afraid we need to get rid of capitalism first before it takes us to the edge of the cliff. . Especially in the last decade there is a growing concern that we may pass the ecological point of no return . Capitalism has been ultimately exposed as a system that is inherently destructive for human beings as well as all of life on Earth . As such , the speed of destruction is far greater than attempts to recover the damage . I'm afraid we need more urgent solution ... Thanks for writing about this matter as i think it is of crucial value for the future of mankind . I've been thinking about writing on this topic too , but for some silly reason i thought i might come across as preachy . But the word needs to get out there , so i definitely will write about it here on Steemit .
All the best !

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steevc (73) · 6 years ago

I'm all for freedom and democracy, but rampant capitalism is unsustainable. They seem to think you can have infinite 'growth'. There have to be controls or we are all doomed. The market serves itself.

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