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NoOneMan

(4,795 posts)
Sun Jan 20, 2013, 06:15 PM Jan 2013

Can we achieve growth & equality while kicking Climate Change? [View all]

Can we simultaneously promote equality for 8 billion people and raise average the standard of living (which requires production) while simultaneously reducing atmospheric emissions and environmental devastation (which is demonstrably coupled to production). If so, how can we in the real world?

I understand everyone wants more jobs and I understand no one wants to promote poverty, but I am having a difficult time prioritizing these struggles against the impending threat of climate change and the suffering it will bring. I think it is a foregone conclusion that Utopia is lost, and pragmatism is how we run the day, but how pragmatic can you be against acidic oceans, droughts, famine inducting crop failures, rising waters, and devastating storms? I really do not understand how anyone can promote any policy or idea that will accelerate our immediate consumption energy and resources (thus hurrying and exacerbating climate change), even with benevolent intentions.

If someone has a magic answer how we can "fix" the system we cling to like Stockholm Syndrome sufferers, while ensuring our planet's habitability will not be further endangered, then shoot.

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No, we can't continue growing. NYC_SKP Jan 2013 #1
You waste enough H2O brushing your teeth to water a village leftstreet Jan 2013 #2
Beg pardon? derby378 Jan 2013 #16
To be fair... NoOneMan Jan 2013 #20
Domestic water use is a fairly small part of the overall amount muriel_volestrangler Jan 2013 #25
I was referring more to what it takes to bring it to the tap NoOneMan Jan 2013 #27
Another good argument against Tar Sand development Joe Shlabotnik Jan 2013 #32
Argue until you are blue in the face NoOneMan Jan 2013 #33
yup Joe Shlabotnik Jan 2013 #34
I agree. I really think it is too late. Mojorabbit Jan 2013 #56
Speak for yourself TxRider Jan 2013 #52
Way to go! NoOneMan Jan 2013 #54
I live on a community well pscot Jan 2013 #17
Succinctly done. immoderate Jan 2013 #5
"and their footprint" NoOneMan Jan 2013 #9
When I had presentations.... NYC_SKP Jan 2013 #13
The global average standard of living can increase, but... Buzz Clik Jan 2013 #3
How? NoOneMan Jan 2013 #6
You're half right pscot Jan 2013 #18
Americans gave up healthcare so Canadians could have it? leftstreet Jan 2013 #29
Where did that come from? Buzz Clik Jan 2013 #41
You suggested it leftstreet Jan 2013 #43
Aside from your strange Canada/America example, it very well mean this NoOneMan Jan 2013 #55
Check this out regarding global emissions.... NoOneMan Jan 2013 #30
It's not the size of our economy, it's our income distribution that's the problem. pampango Jan 2013 #59
I'm not sure why growth and equality are lumped together. RedCappedBandit Jan 2013 #4
Can they not be? NoOneMan Jan 2013 #7
Aye, there's the rub. rrneck Jan 2013 #8
Sure, once our CEOs and shareholders lose their entitlement mentality Recursion Jan 2013 #10
This level of profit promotes disparity, and disparity throttles growth NoOneMan Jan 2013 #12
i'll be the buzzkill datasuspect Jan 2013 #11
First of all 2naSalit Jan 2013 #14
These ideas can't do anything for the global situation unless implemented en masse NoOneMan Jan 2013 #15
I agree with about 2naSalit Jan 2013 #24
"If a sizable group of people..." NoOneMan Jan 2013 #28
I doubt we can do a thing about climate change at this point. JVS Jan 2013 #19
So all this talk about equality and making a better world... NoOneMan Jan 2013 #22
New technologies and new expansion? cbrer Jan 2013 #21
Ok, the magic of technology NoOneMan Jan 2013 #23
Tangible Proof? cbrer Jan 2013 #36
Yes, like a non-faith-based reason to continue our pursuit of "progress" NoOneMan Jan 2013 #37
You think I meant religion? cbrer Jan 2013 #38
"Technology got us to this place." NoOneMan Jan 2013 #39
You effectively shoot down every suggestion cbrer Jan 2013 #40
Sure did NoOneMan Jan 2013 #42
"bring civilization back to the drawing board immediately" cbrer Jan 2013 #44
Yes, and then we get a reboot (whatever that means) NoOneMan Jan 2013 #47
with technology and good governance we can samsingh Jan 2013 #26
A good government will make climate change illegal? NoOneMan Jan 2013 #31
agreed samsingh Jan 2013 #35
Human need vs human greed YoungDemCA Jan 2013 #45
Go vegan. n/t flvegan Jan 2013 #46
Hunted meat probably has a lower footprint than farmed foods NoOneMan Jan 2013 #48
On an individual basis? Stipulated. flvegan Jan 2013 #49
About 78 billion tons of carbon is lost from our soil from agriculture NoOneMan Jan 2013 #51
Can billionaires prosper while kicking global warming? daleo Jan 2013 #50
Resistance to the change originates in a growth obsessed system... NoOneMan Jan 2013 #53
Average people don't have a lot of say in these matters daleo Jan 2013 #57
Climate change should take priority over growth and equality. nt Comrade_McKenzie Jan 2013 #58
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