Re: Global Warming

Come on Pummie, Jimmy is still right when he says that only a very small proportion of the world's population produces most of the pollution. You vastly underestimate the size of this planet and the distribution of humans. 71% is covered in water, no pollution! Of the other 29% the majority is uninhabited [Desert, Mountainous or Polar] Add to this the fact that the Earth is, in itself a giant re-cycling plant constantly restoring the balance that man and natural events [Volcanoes, Earth Quakes severe weather events] subject it to.

When London stopped burning coal as the main means of heating, in virtually no time at all the environment changed for the better with no more London Smog. Although bad for humans, these events are local and can be addressed as such.

You have thrown a curved ball Pummie with the mention of plastic being deposited in the oceans. Yes it is a serious issue and one that should be dealt with ASAP, but it has no place on a thread about 'Global Warming'....Although a serious threat to marine life it will hardly impact on the climate.

Jimmy is also correct when he says we are becoming over populated. It's turning out to be the Elephant in the room, everybody knows it is a problem, but dare not be the one to stand up and offer solutions. Like Swimmy, it's easier to focus on Wind Turbines and Solar Panels and pretend it's not happening......Our response.......To send lots of money to lands that can not sustain life but we'll give it a try anyway. Their response.....with food and water in plenty have some more kids......Don't you just feel guilty for having so much wealth and people in other parts of the world have nothing?.....

Re: Global Warming

As to the population issue, yes it is a problem. Even if we reduced per capita pollution and negative impact by 50 percent for example and then double the population, we have lost all benefit, not to mention the impact on other species as far as ecosystems and habitat.

One need not use "forced population" reduction. Voluntary reduction in the rates increase do work although are over ridden by religion and politics. Example: In my country tax breaks are given for having children, thus promoting it. If we took away the tax breaks after one or two, it would at least help.

Re: Global Warming

Hi

We have absolutely no possibility of controlling the world population.

China, one of the most authoritarian Countries in the world tried that and has given up.

The World will change, over the Eons we have had vastly different periods here in the UK, from Ice Ages to tropical conditions.

We humans are far too arrogant if we think we can change that.

What we can do is to look after our own little bit, in our case the UK.

Who wants to return to smogs in the cities or centres of industry?

I don't.

I am all in favour of developing Renewables here in the UK, look after our own.

We import 5% of our electricity from the EU and pay through the nose for it.

We import vast amounts of Gas and Oil and are dependant on others for the costs we pay.

I have no intention at all of being held to ransom by either EU Countries or Radical Muslims such as Saudi for our Energy Supplies, it is a nonsense.

Renewables and Fracking are the way forward, we should be taking control of our own energy needs.

Re: Global Warming

Good post swim....

Re: Global Warming

April, it sounds like you think there's no reason to doubt what scientists assert, because in your view scientists are "above" politics and economics, and therefore so are their "results".

Not always the case, though. In fact, these days, it's rare.

Re: Global Warming

And then, when the droughts inevitably return and the land again refuses to supply enough food for those optimistically-created kids of that artificially-increased population, they'll send them back to us as refugees...

Re: Global Warming

Hi

Science is science, it should be above politics, but it is not.

Money talks.

Science is continually evolving, what is perceived wisdom is often total bunkum 10 years later.

That should not stop use listening to it however.

It is a fact of life that with our current state of knowledge we cannot stop the next Ice Age or an increase in the activity of the Sun which will lead to increased temperatures.

What we can do however is to stop pumping out vast amounts of dangerous complex hydrocarbons which we know will affect our health, irrespective of any global warning.

Re: Global Warming

You've only got to look at the numbers, April. There are presently 7 billion people alive. Before you go to bed tonight, another half-million people will have been born... somewhere.

It's hopeless. Legislation has virtually zero effect on it. Birth control has virtually zero effect on it. As medicine evolves, the new births overtake the new deaths.

What we're living through now is the final stage of human existence. Might take another century for us to finally die off, or we might just go back to "10,000 BC" numbers and level out.

Science and activists and politicians, et al, are just rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.

Re: Global Warming

The thing is that our 'contributions' are dwarfed by those of China.

OK, we can set an example, but we can't do much about it.

Re: Global Warming

Hi

In terms of Global Warming, you are correct.

Putting that aside however, in terms of local health effects we can do a lot, for ourselves, our own population.