Comments on: China and Climate Change http://www.radioopensource.org/china-and-climate-change/ Christopher Lydon in conversation on arts, ideas and politics Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:23:24 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: joel http://www.radioopensource.org/china-and-climate-change/comment-page-1/#comment-144465 joel Thu, 03 Jul 2008 17:24:30 +0000 http://www.radioopensource.org/china-and-climate-change/#comment-144465 Various aspects of climate change, "global warming," environmental degradation, etc. have been referred to as "causes" of many of society's problems when, in reality, they are results of a far more important phenomenon, the huge, unsustainable and growing current human population, the prime cause of the other causes. The technical methods of alleviating the growing short-comings of our life-giving environments will be obsolete by the time they are implemented... outstripped by the size of the population. You might find the views of Eric Pianka interesting and edifying: http://uts.cc.utexas.edu/~varanus/Vanishing.Book.text.pdf http://uts.cc.utexas.edu/~varanus/Everybody.html http://www.zo.utexas.edu/courses/bio213/why.html http://uts.cc.utexas.edu/~varanus/ http://uts.cc.utexas.edu/~varanus/Controversy.html The otherwise perhaps flawed domestic policies of China may not be to our liking, but their "one child" per parents should have our blessing and be adopted by the rest of the world as soon and completely as possible. It is nothing less than mandatory. It is the fastest (60 years), the cheapest (zero cost), the most easily participated (no one need do anything - merely do not have a second child) method with essentially no counter-acting side effects.This action obviates the need for all the programs now being touted and it will put the world back to the number of people, resulting from millions of years of linear growth, which existed about 250 years ago, when it was hardly under populated, but it was before the ruinous logarithmic growth that has occurred since. As Dennis Meadows said:”Any environmental issue that doesn’t list overpopulation as the main problem is a lost cause.” Or, as this line on the stationery of The Committee of Concerned Scientists states:”If we do not solve our overpopulation problem ourselves, sagely and humanely, the problem will be solved for us by Nature, efficiently and savagely.” Cheers Various aspects of climate change, “global warming,” environmental degradation, etc. have been referred to as “causes” of many of society’s problems when, in reality, they are results of a far more important phenomenon, the huge, unsustainable and growing current human population, the prime cause of the
other causes. The technical methods of alleviating the growing short-comings of our life-giving environments will be obsolete by the time they are implemented… outstripped by the size of the population.

You might find the views of Eric Pianka interesting and edifying:

http://uts.cc.utexas.edu/~varanus/Vanishing.Book.text.pdf

http://uts.cc.utexas.edu/~varanus/Everybody.html

http://www.zo.utexas.edu/courses/bio213/why.html

http://uts.cc.utexas.edu/~varanus/

http://uts.cc.utexas.edu/~varanus/Controversy.html

The otherwise perhaps flawed domestic policies of China may not be to our liking, but their “one child” per parents should have our blessing and be adopted by the rest of the world as soon and completely as possible. It is nothing less than mandatory. It is the fastest (60 years), the cheapest (zero cost), the most easily participated (no one need do anything – merely do not have a second child) method with essentially no counter-acting side effects.This action obviates the need for all the programs now being touted and it will put the world back to the number of people, resulting from millions of years of linear growth, which existed about 250 years ago, when it was hardly under populated, but it was before the ruinous logarithmic growth that has occurred since. As Dennis Meadows said:”Any environmental issue that doesn’t list overpopulation as the main problem is a lost cause.” Or, as this line on the stationery of The Committee of Concerned Scientists states:”If we do not solve our overpopulation problem ourselves, sagely and humanely, the problem will be solved for us by Nature, efficiently and savagely.”

Cheers

]]> By: Quick Start Energy Program. | 7Wins.eu http://www.radioopensource.org/china-and-climate-change/comment-page-1/#comment-133027 Quick Start Energy Program. | 7Wins.eu Fri, 06 Jun 2008 02:47:04 +0000 http://www.radioopensource.org/china-and-climate-change/#comment-133027 [...] logy in HarmonyMaking a resolve to loose weight « Health and Nutrition that is AboveNBeyondOpen Source » Blog Archive » China and Climate Change Ta [...] [...] logy in HarmonyMaking a resolve to loose weight « Health and Nutrition that is AboveNBeyondOpen Source » Blog Archive » China and Climate Change Ta [...]

]]> By: Preston L. Bannister { random memes } » Missing the point - China and Climate Change http://www.radioopensource.org/china-and-climate-change/comment-page-1/#comment-1353 Preston L. Bannister { random memes } » Missing the point - China and Climate Change Thu, 18 Aug 2005 03:42:51 +0000 http://www.radioopensource.org/china-and-climate-change/#comment-1353 [...] — Preston L. Bannister @ 7:44 pm Listened through the Open Source segment on China and Climate Change. Most Open Source programs are pretty interesting. Wasn&#8217 [...] [...] — Preston L. Bannister @ 7:44 pm

Listened through the Open Source segment on China and Climate Change. Most Open Source programs are pretty interesting. Wasn&#8217 [...]

]]> By: r.moreira http://www.radioopensource.org/china-and-climate-change/comment-page-1/#comment-1306 r.moreira Sun, 14 Aug 2005 12:03:47 +0000 http://www.radioopensource.org/china-and-climate-change/#comment-1306 Thank you for the opportunity to listen to this intelligent conversation. I would like to stress the importance of the point made by your guest Bill (I think) about the need of behavioural changes. Any serious environmental plan would start with energy efficiency (be it in buildings, transportation or industry) before considering renewables. Likewise, American consumers need to realise that, instead of waiting for a technological magic answer to climate change, they must recognise their major role as emitters and start now changing their energy consumption behaviour. Thank you for the opportunity to listen to this intelligent conversation. I would like to stress the importance of the point made by your guest Bill (I think) about the need of behavioural changes. Any serious environmental plan would start with energy efficiency (be it in buildings, transportation or industry) before considering renewables. Likewise, American consumers need to realise that, instead of waiting for a technological magic answer to climate change, they must recognise their major role as emitters and start now changing their energy consumption behaviour.

]]> By: SocialUpgrade http://www.radioopensource.org/china-and-climate-change/comment-page-1/#comment-1272 SocialUpgrade Thu, 11 Aug 2005 18:20:49 +0000 http://www.radioopensource.org/china-and-climate-change/#comment-1272 Enjoyed listening to the show last night. Someone (listener or guest, I'm not sure) mentioned the cost of this administration's energy bill vs. the cost of the transportation (read:roadbuilding) bill. They made the point that this roadbuilding bill is a further investment in the fossil fuel industry because it will most likely increase transportation via combustion engine. However, another way it also contributes to the fossil fuel industry in that asphalt is actually often made from petroleum products. Enjoyed listening to the show last night. Someone (listener or guest, I’m not sure) mentioned the cost of this administration’s energy bill vs. the cost of the transportation (read:roadbuilding) bill. They made the point that this roadbuilding bill is a further investment in the fossil fuel industry because it will most likely increase transportation via combustion engine. However, another way it also contributes to the fossil fuel industry in that asphalt is actually often made from petroleum products.

]]> By: Randy Kritkausky http://www.radioopensource.org/china-and-climate-change/comment-page-1/#comment-1271 Randy Kritkausky Thu, 11 Aug 2005 17:55:37 +0000 http://www.radioopensource.org/china-and-climate-change/#comment-1271 Enjoyed the opportunity to briefly contribute to last night's show on China and Climate Change. If you want to pursue this topic to its end point, address the question that was asked but not answered; "Does Chinese society allow political participation sufficient to address global warming from the ground up?" We heard some encouraging news about policy moving in the right direction. But global warming will be adequately addressed only when China's 1.2 billion consumers begin to act responsibly, in fact more resonsibly than most American consumers currently act. Some of us working at the grassroots level in China have insights into this area. There are ways that ordinary Americans can get involved and make a difference in China as well as here. I would like to pursue this with listeners. Contact me if you would like to get involved. rkritkausky@ecologia.org Enjoyed the opportunity to briefly contribute to last night’s show on China and Climate Change. If you want to pursue this topic to its end point, address the question that was asked but not answered; “Does Chinese society allow political participation sufficient to address global warming from the ground up?” We heard some encouraging news about policy moving in the right direction. But global warming will be adequately addressed only when China’s 1.2 billion consumers begin to act responsibly, in fact more resonsibly than most American consumers currently act. Some of us working at the grassroots level in China have insights into this area. There are ways that ordinary Americans can get involved and make a difference in China as well as here. I would like to pursue this with listeners. Contact me if you would like to get involved. rkritkausky@ecologia.org

]]> By: Robin http://www.radioopensource.org/china-and-climate-change/comment-page-1/#comment-1270 Robin Thu, 11 Aug 2005 17:32:02 +0000 http://www.radioopensource.org/china-and-climate-change/#comment-1270 thanks to all who gave us leads on China experts. We actually called every single person you recommended! Unfortunately, because the show was put together on such short notice, many of these folks were unavailable (such as Mark Levine, who just got back from Botswana today). But we're going to keep them in our rolodex for future shows, especially the rest of the shows in the climate change miniseries. thanks to all who gave us leads on China experts. We actually called every single person you recommended! Unfortunately, because the show was put together on such short notice, many of these folks were unavailable (such as Mark Levine, who just got back from Botswana today). But we’re going to keep them in our rolodex for future shows, especially the rest of the shows in the climate change miniseries.

]]> By: Potter http://www.radioopensource.org/china-and-climate-change/comment-page-1/#comment-1269 Potter Thu, 11 Aug 2005 14:15:43 +0000 http://www.radioopensource.org/china-and-climate-change/#comment-1269 I just listened on the streaming rebroadcast from WUMB and I am quite appreciative for that. I may listen in on their other programs. Thanksfor a really great show re climate change and the problems with regard to China. For me it all comes back to the example we set. And we are not settting a good exaample. We can't help what we did already, but we sure can change what we do. It was heartening to hear, as it always is, about individual and philanthropic efforts, but how much better, if we had people who understood and were effective at the leadership level instead of a group of people drunk on power, the quick buck and in denial. Keep up the series please. What else can you do? Folks have got to understand. I am wondering if I can fire my kiln without some guilt or even have a barbeque. I already plan my trips out, recycle, turn down the heat and wear socks to bed in the winter. By the way I was very heartened to hear someone say that the Chinese are growing some food organically. It seems to me that China could show us up, shame us, becoming in the process, a great laboratory and example. The calm and unity they value above all, can be used to achieve real calm, pride in a truly great purpose. The Chinese can do it. I just listened on the streaming rebroadcast from WUMB and I am quite appreciative for that. I may listen in on their other programs. Thanksfor a really great show re climate change and the problems with regard to China. For me it all comes back to the example we set. And we are not settting a good exaample. We can’t help what we did already, but we sure can change what we do. It was heartening to hear, as it always is, about individual and philanthropic efforts, but how much better, if we had people who understood and were effective at the leadership level instead of a group of people drunk on power, the quick buck and in denial.

Keep up the series please. What else can you do? Folks have got to understand.

I am wondering if I can fire my kiln without some guilt or even have a barbeque. I already plan my trips out, recycle, turn down the heat and wear socks to bed in the winter.

By the way I was very heartened to hear someone say that the Chinese are growing some food organically.

It seems to me that China could show us up, shame us, becoming in the process, a great laboratory and example. The calm and unity they value above all, can be used to achieve real calm, pride in a truly great purpose. The Chinese can do it.

]]> By: jc http://www.radioopensource.org/china-and-climate-change/comment-page-1/#comment-1260 jc Wed, 10 Aug 2005 23:25:19 +0000 http://www.radioopensource.org/china-and-climate-change/#comment-1260 It says something about the hypocrisy of this world's leaders that China has been far and away the most responsible of all nations by trying to relieve the stress most important regarding essentially all facets of sustained existance and the quality thereof by attempting to reduce the population of China. So far, the populace has not the wits to realize the importance of this effort. When the world accomplishes a population reduction by a proper amount, everything that will be discussed on tonight's program will become irrelavant. It says something about the hypocrisy of this world’s leaders that China has been far and away the most responsible of all nations by trying to relieve the stress most important regarding essentially all facets of sustained existance and the quality thereof by attempting to reduce the population of China. So far, the populace has not the wits to realize the importance of this effort. When the world accomplishes a population reduction by a proper amount, everything that will be discussed on tonight’s program will become irrelavant.

]]> By: loki http://www.radioopensource.org/china-and-climate-change/comment-page-1/#comment-1258 loki Wed, 10 Aug 2005 20:59:28 +0000 http://www.radioopensource.org/china-and-climate-change/#comment-1258 Professor Juan Fernandez teaches at a western style Business School in Shangahi. He at Harvard Business School unti 8/17. His email is fjuan@ceibs.edu . Currently there is a UMass Amherst Business School Professor who goes to China each year. Following up last nights conversation,it would be interested in how business and industry leaders deal with "Climate Change" Professor Juan Fernandez teaches at a western style Business School in Shangahi.
He at Harvard Business School unti 8/17. His email is fjuan@ceibs.edu .

Currently there is a UMass Amherst Business School Professor who goes to China each year.

Following up last nights conversation,it would be interested in how business and industry leaders deal with “Climate Change”

]]> By: P&N Lydon http://www.radioopensource.org/china-and-climate-change/comment-page-1/#comment-1251 P&N Lydon Wed, 10 Aug 2005 17:59:06 +0000 http://www.radioopensource.org/china-and-climate-change/#comment-1251 For Robin/Katherine/Chris: This is a background note, not for posting, if you can make a differentiation. On China and climate change, you'll want to talk to Mark Levine and Jonathan Sinton of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in Berkeley, CA. Jonathan is a great specialist in the subject, and Mark is a particularly good speaker/talker. You'd also want to talk to Chris Nielsen, who manages an active group at Harvard on this issue, and his chief, Michael McElroy. Best, Peter For Robin/Katherine/Chris: This is a background note, not for posting, if you can make a differentiation. On China and climate change, you’ll want to talk to Mark Levine and Jonathan Sinton of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in Berkeley, CA. Jonathan is a great specialist in the subject, and Mark is a particularly good speaker/talker. You’d also want to talk to Chris Nielsen, who manages an active group at Harvard on this issue, and his chief, Michael McElroy. Best, Peter

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