Skip navigation.

I'll think of a good title later

The Stern Review

Thursday, 2. November 2006, 13:10:00

, , , ,

The Stern Review is an analysis of the long term economical effects of climate change & should be read by everyone in the world.

I find it disheartening that it is the economic cost that has driven this report rather than the fact that millions of people will die if we do nothing or continue to do as little as we are now, but anything that raises awareness is a good thing.

But will it make a difference?

Ministry of Truth'Tis the season to be garrotted by tinsel

Comments

lokutus_prime 16. November 2006, 13:31

The report itself, with its recommendations(s) will make no realistic difference...... if the 'Giants' - India, Russia, China, Brazil, USA - continue along their present route. Apropos the vital role of the Rain Forests, I continue to be aghast and amazed that not enough international pressure has been put on Brazil. That country continues to allow the logging and the clearing of the forests at a rate that is simply staggering! The others in the list of 'Giants' show no enthusiasm for slowing down or alleviating the damage they are causing through the process of their respective 'industrial advancements'. It is said that China is not prepared to take any advice from the UK unless the UK "leads by example". That may or may not be a sincere stance on China's part but I remain sceptical. None of what I opine here implies that I am not in favour of doing what the Stern Review sets out but as you may agree unless the 'Giants' have a self motivation to coooperate then our tiny nation will, seemingly, go it alone. If that turns out to be a fact then we will not save the planet on our own, but we may feel that we have done our best and done the right thing. I'll leave you to figure out what difference our sole efforts - if that be the eventual case - will make, other than to give us a sense of ethical satisfaction.

orinoco 19. November 2006, 13:33

Hi Lokutus, yes I agree entirely. It has been said that if the UK meets all the recommendations set out in the report that the positive effects will be offset by the pollution output from China in 2 weeks. In that light what hope do we really have?

I find it extremely difficult to not get disheartened by it all. Recently here my regional evening news programme ran a week of reports highlighting climate issues & I was really impressed with the quality of the reports. I consider myself quite well read on environmental issues but even I learnt a thing or two. Yet the week after they started the run up to Christmas, they are running a competition to win a weekend trip to Lapland (air travel naturally) & another to see who has the best electricity draining Christmas lights covering their house.

Everywhere I look there are many signs that tell me we are going to fail - if you look at the label on a bottle of Volvic it reads, "Do not refill". One of the halls at a local community centre has signs on the radiators that read, "Please do not turn off the radiators, open the windows instead". So much for reduce, reuse, recycle.

I'm trying really hard. This year aside from food I have bought 5 DVDs, a kendama, a replacement mouse for my computer & a T-shirt. I haven't turned my heating on once this year. Thanks to my girlfriend Nix I have started the slow process of learning to cook properly rather than eating the heavily preprocessed foods that have made up a lot of my diet in the past & I have taken the last plane flight I will ever take. Sadly though I don't even get any ethical satisfaction, there is of course no 'i' in 'team'. Unless we all make it, what's the point?

lokutus_prime 19. November 2006, 17:35

Hi orinoco - first let me start with an 'off-topic' comment. I have missed you and your blog. I go back now a long way in OC but as I recall you have been here much longer than I. I remember the 'bantering' we used to have in my early days here and I have never forgotten your kindness and your courtesy and your willingness to help - thanks for that.

Now, to the main point. You are entirely correct of course. It's a sad observation of yours and it's a valid commentary on 'ethical propositions & examples' and 'commercial & hedonistic targets' and the contradiction between these two sets.

What can be done? ...sighh.. we must all be true to ourselves and try hard to avoid the lemmings and do what we can to make our voice heard, wherever we are and whoever we are. Nix sounds as if she is spot on with her sage advice and it's good to know that you have a partner who thinks as she does :up:

Don't be disheartened - there are others who think as you do and if you can seek like-minded folk out you may be able to achieve more together, in the sense that your 'lobbying' may be stronger (but in almost any group there might be at least one individual who tries to 'highjack' the groups's ethical and sincerely held aims for a darker purpose - so be wary please)

You appear to be doing what you can in a positive way. As for me? I'm not licked yet! (my generation tried to stop the Vietnam war). I and my loved ones do our best in these contemporary times and we are aware and sensitive to what is being proposed in the debates about 'climate change'.

Best wishes, friend orinoco :smile:

Loku

Write a comment

You must be logged in to write a comment. If you're not a registered member, please sign up.

December 2009
M T W T F S S
November 2009January 2010
1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30 31

Juggling

Affiliate stuff

  • Top Cash Back

    If you buy ANYTHING online, sign up to this website first & get a percentage of what you spend back

  • Zopa

    Bypass the banks & lend & borrow real money to real people