Saturday, November 19, 2011
The path less chosen...
Something is happening on the planetary scale. Humans have caused a lot of damage to our planet over the course of very short time. We have withdrawn from having direct experience in nature, and turned toward symbolic realities; we have a tolerance for being crowded, we can get by in managed artificial environments, we survive through commercialization, relying solely on socially facilitated constructs of nature. We are at a crossroads, and one way continues on the status quo, the other will be very challenging. Change is difficult and even when one wants it, it is hard won.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
International Panel on Climate Change Press Conference November 18
The 1st joint session of IPCC Working Groups I and II will consider the finalization of the Special Report on Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance Climate Change Adaptation. In accordance with the IPCC procedures, the Summary for Policymakers (SPM) of the Special Report will be approved line by line by governments and the underlying assessment report, which runs to several hundred pages, will be presented for acceptance. Media representatives are cordially invited to a press conference on 18 November 2011 where the
findings of the Special Report will be presented and the Summary for Policymakers made available.
(Please note that clicking the paragraph above takes you to a PDF file of the press release)
The 2011 Interim Report from the Nongovernmental International Panel on Climate Change presents an overview ... And this is the information that 's being presented by the "private sector", and it states that global warming will be a good thing. If you'd like to see the junk science from the for profit lobby, go here: www.nipccreport.com/reports/2011/2011report.html
I expect the political climate will be "heating up" quite a lot after November 18.
findings of the Special Report will be presented and the Summary for Policymakers made available.
(Please note that clicking the paragraph above takes you to a PDF file of the press release)
The 2011 Interim Report from the Nongovernmental International Panel on Climate Change presents an overview ... And this is the information that 's being presented by the "private sector", and it states that global warming will be a good thing. If you'd like to see the junk science from the for profit lobby, go here: www.nipccreport.com/reports/2011/2011report.html
I expect the political climate will be "heating up" quite a lot after November 18.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Philips presents: The Microbial Home (tm)
The Microbial Home
Industry charges thousands of dollars for a "solution". Products that are sustainable and that make good sense because they can afford the R&D to meet government approval, (or perhaps government gives them millions to develop such technology?).
Meanwhile, there are other ways of going about it that are essentially restricted. It would not be that difficult to develop solutions like these with basic materials, that are DIY, and able to be built by nearly anyone right in the home and be far more affordable and accessible. There would be immediate benefits, but not if only those wealthy enough can access the technology (while meanwhile our former centralized infrastructure outside crumbles for lack of tax revenues?)
Instead of elected bureaucrats with no understanding of science, usually with a vested interest in solutions offered by some industry, or their "nephew's" company...
What if we had an "office of innovation" in every region of the USA where a group of engineers could evaluate DIY solutions and tell the bureaucrats what's the score, instead of the other way around?
If we can't allow for innovations and solutions at that DIY level, we disempower people from accessing practical, sensibly sustainable solutions that we desperately need. Aternatives make us hopeful, but they're just not realistic. No one believs these solutions are necessary here and now. People say, Oh, my grandchildren might live to see this. No. It is here, now. In the next 5 years, these solutions will begin to be implemented all around us...
...if we can afford to adopt them.
I can't yet afford an electric car. (Though I saw an ad for the 100% electric Mitsubishi for around $20,000 that gets something like 130 miles to a charge?)
Another example, we're seeing bureaucrats decide to divert tax money toward private or charter schools, primarily supported by those who can afford it, while public schools in impoverished areas with a shrinking tax base are left to fall apart.
Another example, CSA collectives offering organic foods, grass fed local beef and so on... though they are wonderful for soil health and the environment, they are out of the price range for most working class families who won't bother to consider food options, because they have none that appear economical to them in any immediate way. They just eat what's found at the grocery store and can't afford to question too deeply. (Some might see "organic" foods as a communist plot! )
Consider the DIY solution. Grow your own gardens, get some chickens? Here again, Bureaucracy steps in to regulate DIY solutions away. People, citizens, individuals... are not allowed to take it upon themselves to work solutions... landscape with edibles, or collect rainwater or whatever it is....
Can we really trust that governments, infrastructure, the grocery store, the oil supply, will be there to deliver? Like Pilgrims, we are now "eating our seed stock" so to speak.
Consider which part of the problems we can afford to choose to delay? To continue status quo because we see the solutions as strange? 10 years ago, people thought it was strange to use a cell phone for text messaging.
Would love to hear some discussion on this...
Industry charges thousands of dollars for a "solution". Products that are sustainable and that make good sense because they can afford the R&D to meet government approval, (or perhaps government gives them millions to develop such technology?).
Meanwhile, there are other ways of going about it that are essentially restricted. It would not be that difficult to develop solutions like these with basic materials, that are DIY, and able to be built by nearly anyone right in the home and be far more affordable and accessible. There would be immediate benefits, but not if only those wealthy enough can access the technology (while meanwhile our former centralized infrastructure outside crumbles for lack of tax revenues?)
Instead of elected bureaucrats with no understanding of science, usually with a vested interest in solutions offered by some industry, or their "nephew's" company...
What if we had an "office of innovation" in every region of the USA where a group of engineers could evaluate DIY solutions and tell the bureaucrats what's the score, instead of the other way around?
If we can't allow for innovations and solutions at that DIY level, we disempower people from accessing practical, sensibly sustainable solutions that we desperately need. Aternatives make us hopeful, but they're just not realistic. No one believs these solutions are necessary here and now. People say, Oh, my grandchildren might live to see this. No. It is here, now. In the next 5 years, these solutions will begin to be implemented all around us...
...if we can afford to adopt them.
I can't yet afford an electric car. (Though I saw an ad for the 100% electric Mitsubishi for around $20,000 that gets something like 130 miles to a charge?)
Another example, we're seeing bureaucrats decide to divert tax money toward private or charter schools, primarily supported by those who can afford it, while public schools in impoverished areas with a shrinking tax base are left to fall apart.
Another example, CSA collectives offering organic foods, grass fed local beef and so on... though they are wonderful for soil health and the environment, they are out of the price range for most working class families who won't bother to consider food options, because they have none that appear economical to them in any immediate way. They just eat what's found at the grocery store and can't afford to question too deeply. (Some might see "organic" foods as a communist plot! )
Consider the DIY solution. Grow your own gardens, get some chickens? Here again, Bureaucracy steps in to regulate DIY solutions away. People, citizens, individuals... are not allowed to take it upon themselves to work solutions... landscape with edibles, or collect rainwater or whatever it is....
Can we really trust that governments, infrastructure, the grocery store, the oil supply, will be there to deliver? Like Pilgrims, we are now "eating our seed stock" so to speak.
Consider which part of the problems we can afford to choose to delay? To continue status quo because we see the solutions as strange? 10 years ago, people thought it was strange to use a cell phone for text messaging.
Would love to hear some discussion on this...
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