Cisco - 8-19-2015 at 01:20 PM
Excellent history and current analysis
http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/08/24/the-weight-of-t...
SFandH - 8-19-2015 at 03:54 PM
Thanks for that. This stood out for me (Christiana Figueres' job):
"The role entails convincing a hundred and ninety-five countries—many of which rely on selling fossil fuels for their national income and almost all
of which depend on burning them for the bulk of their energy—that giving up such fuels is a good idea."
I wish her the best. but I think very hard times are ahead.
Here's her photo BTW:
Osprey - 8-19-2015 at 04:11 PM
Politicians and world leaders are fond of the phrase "International Community". She says all the countries in the world are inextricably connected to
all the others. If she believes that or not she has a daunting task.
In the U.S., states came first, then counties, then towns. Some states have almost a hundred counties -- each county is a small government unto itself
and if you were to ask them all to agree on some major change you would face the same objections.
What's good for the goose is not always good for the gooser and though you might convince them they all face a serious problem you have little chance
at some far reaching accord.
Some things work best disconnected. If ice cream came with onions we would all be wishing for separation because they are so very different.
Some countries defy emissions testing and weather intervenes at times so just to decide which countries suffer how much to meet some best guess
standard will take a statesman (woman) who wants to travel 24/7 and who has the guts of an Armenian camel merchant.
[Edited on 8-20-2015 by Osprey]
Sweetwater - 8-19-2015 at 06:02 PM
I could get lost in those eyes.....
A discussion last night involved the cost and efforts to go "off the grid" and stop supporting fossil fuel industries. One point is that it's much
easier to design and build with new technologies in place. It's not as easy and efficient to retrofit older thermal envelopes (homes) to get that same
effect.
What I find somewhat encouraging was the reference to CFC's and the ability of the national and international communities to make that change and
implement it. Remember how devastating it was projected to eliminate and replace CFC's? What will we ever do to provide refrigeration and A/C? And how
will I spray on my deodorant or hair spray or do my spray paint tagging.....30 years later and nobody seems to notice....
bajaguy - 8-19-2015 at 06:30 PM
It is interesting that the government wanted us to embrace alternative fueled vehicles and solar/wind power for our homes and businesses.........
Now states are complaining of falling highway tax revenues from gasoline sales due to the use of alternative fueled vehicles......and those
governments want to impose new tax structures to penalize those who save
Same thing with solar and wind.........power companies are now screaming of declining revenue and want to institute user fees, cap grid tie and raise
rates.........
WTF????