Hey, do you do "global warming"?
Hey, do you do "global warming"?
I could do Global Warming, but I'd be a hypocrite for hammering on it too hard. I need to make some changes in my own personal life and lifestyle, before I can be a true warrior for the cause. I have integrity and that means by definition, I have a conscious about such things.
Global Warming is real, but the solution will require that which is directly implied in the moniker of the problem itself: A
Global Solution. That means the entire planet is going to have to change its Carbon Habits, which by definition means a genuine paradigm shift in the way we use products that generate a carbon footprint.
Right now, my footprint sucks and I admit that fact. But, at least I am aware that my footprint sucks and that brings me one step closer to changing it. Our lifestyles are so ingrained with and attached to carbon related expenditures into our atmosphere (the way we life, work and play) that only systemic change delivered over time will guarantee long-term, lasting benefits.
We come a long ways on atmospherics since the toxic days of the industrial revolution and the post World War II oil and coal feeding frenzy. By the 50's, 60's and 70's, we reached a relative level of post war modernization that made the world stand-up and take notice. But, we also became
one of the biggest polluters on the planet. We've seen good progress from the 70's through the 90's on lowering emissions but our carbon output is still far too high.
We also have no control over the output of other developed nations such as China, the United Kingdom and Japan, who have very significant numbers of carbon expending consumers. And, we won't be able to control the large population developing nations such as India, Indonesia and many parts of the Middle and Central East.
Can we change? Yes. But, it will require the United States to take the lead on new energy technology development, so that it can proof it and then export it throughout the world for use as the replacement standard to common fossil fuel based energy sources. And, that move will require a paradigm shift in our economic model, which is precisely what Barack Obama, ran on in 2008, before the global financial meltdown reordered his priorities as President.
I am both hopeful and optimistic that such change is imminent. But, again - old habits are sometimes very hard to break.
[if you want to talk certain energy technology specific, let me know]