It's now or never for the planet

GrannyGravy13

I will give a personal instance, we changed energy supplier a few years ago, part of the deal was that they came round and replaced all our light bulbs with led’s, which are more energy efficient.

When we asked what to do with the multitude of discarded bulbs we were told to put them in the general waste, so our light bulbs are in landfill somewhere for the next 100+ years.

We try to only purchase eco friendly when our appliances are unable to be repaired, but I dread to think how much we have sent to landfill sites over our lifetimes.

When we asked what to do with the multitude of discarded bulbs we were told to put them in the general waste, so our light bulbs are in landfill somewhere for the next 100+ years.

Too simplistic. You had to throw away the bulbs, they already existed, so you would have had to throw them away anyway. Now that you have the LED bulbs you have to replace them far less often and so in the future there will be much less landfill caused by your lighting

volver

Pepper59

Im more shocked anyone on here can admire China for anything! Especially after the last two years......

Who is admiring China, please?

Deafening silence so I'll say something.

China is spending huge amounts on its renewables programs. I believe that they are the world's biggest producer of wind turbines.

So while the west are all sitting around saying that there's no point in us doing anything as long as China keep opening coal fired power stations, they are quietly becoming the main suppliers of renewables, which means that when we can no longer rely on oil and gas, we have to rely on Chinese technology.

So no "admiration" there, just a bit of common sense.

volver sorry I am not trying to be simplistic, I know things need to be changed and soon.

The point I am trying to get across, and obviously failing is that in my experience (friends, family & acquaintances) we are all doing what we can regarding recycling, thinking before purchasing etc.

We are now waiting for R & D to come up with the answers/goods, and in the Industry I know we have been promised these innovations for well over 15 years, still no sign on the horizon.

The man in the street can only do what it can.

Youngsters at school all need a device for schoolwork (even our GC in reception and yr 2) have to have access for homework and projects. The elder ones in senior school have just had to update ie buy new devices as theirs were not able to support the new software required. (I have no idea how those parents on a low income manage this, I do know that our primary schools lend devices, must ask regarding the senior school)

So it’s not as easy as not buying phones, laptops etc as they are an intrinsic part of every day life.

Volver, you rely on China if you like. Where possible, I have no intention on relying on China for anything. The Chinese government have much to answer for and I don't trust them. Look at Hong Kong. I am saying no more.

The OP asked about what governments could do. It doesn't mean dropping everything we know and suddenly becoming hunter gatherers again.

I'm sure that most people are doing what they can (with a few notable exceptions in Manchester, maybe) but that is not enough. It is the governments of the world that need to make significant changes in how energy is sourced, what projects are funded, etc etc, so that we can actually do something about the problem before its too late.

So all the comments about China and mining metals and child labour and all the rest of it sound like excuses for everyone to just keep on as they are because there is no alternative. It sounds like a cop out, sorry.

Pepper59

Volver, you rely on China if you like. Where possible, I have no intention on relying on China for anything. The Chinese government have much to answer for and I don't trust them. Look at Hong Kong. I am saying no more.

Aye, good luck with that when there's no more oil.

Stop trying to paint me as the bad guy. Its not working.

Sorry volver but plundering the earth for its resources to maintain a technology lifestyle is detrimental to the planet and the lives of those forced into doing so.

No excuses or cop out it’s a fact.

Volver, I have never said you were a "bad guy"???? Where has that come from? I was referring to China and what I have posted was in no way referring to you. I'm trying to contribute to the debate. No, I don't agree with you, but that's all.

Pepper59

Volver, I have never said you were a "bad guy"???? Where has that come from? I was referring to China and what I have posted was in no way referring to you. I'm trying to contribute to the debate. No, I don't agree with you, but that's all.

I’m more shocked anyone on here can admire China for anything! Especially after the last two years......

Volver, you rely on China if you like.

Mm hmm…

GrannyGravy13

Sorry volver but plundering the earth for its resources to maintain a technology lifestyle is detrimental to the planet and the lives of those forced into doing so.

No excuses or cop out it’s a fact.

No argument GG13.

That's why we have to do something about it.

But doing something about it should mean finding ways of maintaining our lifestyle without plundering the planet or exploiting others.

What is your solution to this situation around this?

Well Volver, I still never said you were a bad guy. You did give the impression that you think China is doing it's best for the planet. I disagree. You have obviously taken my comments to heart. I stand by what I say about China. We just have to agree to disagree. Take care.

Well I will explain that you misunderstood.

If we sit around saying we can't do anything because China are still building coal fired power stations, we will end up relying on China for renewables expertise and technology when our own oil and gas fields run dry. And that will be even worse that relying on Russia for oil.

than relying on Russia for gas

can't seem to type any more...

volver I think that the U.K. should invest heavily in R & D of renewables, and maybe eco friendly alternatives for micro-chips along with batteries with bigger storage and a longer life before burn out

(don’t think burn out is the correct technical term but it is one widely used in our Industry for a battery which no longer recharges/hold charge)

I do not think that as a United Kingdom we should be reliant on outside power or technology wherever/whenever possible.

We agree

volver ?

I think we need to explore different ways of disposing of the dead. Burials are not good and cremations add to global warming. Water cremation is not yet available. So what is the answer to helping the planet?

To hell in a very hot handcart springs to mind reading some of the posts.

I truly think that the planet is done for.

kjmpde

I think we need to explore different ways of disposing of the dead. Burials are not good and cremations add to global warming. Water cremation is not yet available. So what is the answer to helping the planet?

Some First Nation tribes left bodies on platforms for nature to take its course...

Jeremy Corbyn
@jeremycorbyn
·
13h
Well said War on Want, we do need a serious green new deal!
Quote Tweet

War on Want
@WarOnWant
· Apr 4
No burger is worth this.

McDonald's must be made accountable when it fails to prevent human rights violations or environmental harm.

We need a #GlobalGreenNewDeal that stops deforestation and protects workers' rights.
bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-03-30/mcdonald-s-linked-to-amazon-deforestation-in-new-report

The Westminster government is not interested in climate change.That is self evidenced by their punishment of the Scottish renewable sector.
We are working towards net zero ..even though we are being held back by the WM government who cut the grants and who charge us ridiculous amounts to add our renewable energy to the grid.
When England and Wales are being given subsidies of £30 Million a year WHY are we paying £465 MILLION a year if not for the reason they want to discourage the industry progressing .Of course then they can say ,as they did at Christmas ,that Scotland has FAILED to reach its target , hands up we did by 2% BUT we produced enough electricity to power 97% of our needs AND supply large amounts to the rUK and other nations .
Its a political decision made by a government that is scared we'll leave and take all our wealth with us .

And what doesn’t get reported is that many fires are not caused by climate change but arsonists. That was definitely the case in Spain last summer. It was quoted as such by the Guardian Civil police. Many people watch these fires in say California and bush fires in Australia and don’t realise they are started by arsonists. But that rarely (if ever) gets told - it just doesn’t fit the narrative.

They get around, those arsonists.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/58159451

I think it's already too late. However, I did read a very interesting scientific article which suggested that in 400 years our planet earth would be doing fine but.... it would be uninhabited.

I wish one journalist, just one, would askBoris the following: 'If we achieve Net Zero in 2050 what affect will it have on global average temperatures?'

The answer is, none whatsoever.