I Want To Write My Random Thoughts And Feelings
I passed a climate change protest yesterday. Tens of thousands of school kids carrying half the Amazon rainforest in shoddy handmade paper placards...
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Theseus · 46-50, M
I am an environmentalist, so I don't mind, and even applaud, youth involvement in the issue.
What I don't like is force--specifically, using the proxy of government to force people to bend to the eco fad du jour (e.g., climate change).
There are tons of ways to convince people to be good stewards of the earth WITHOUT involving government.
What I don't like is force--specifically, using the proxy of government to force people to bend to the eco fad du jour (e.g., climate change).
There are tons of ways to convince people to be good stewards of the earth WITHOUT involving government.
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Theseus · 46-50, M
@SW-User There are those who say life is a succession of choices between the lesser of two evils. I disagree. I choose not to be or to take part in evil. Being a good steward of the earth is not evil whereas forcing others to comply with my stance, no matter how noble, is.
NOW, as a libertarian I also believe that polluting the common environment is an unjust "first-use-of-force," and is thus a violation of the non-aggression principle (NAP). If you want to pass laws which prohibit pollution along those lines, fine--but here's the rub: people will invariably define "pollution" differently.
Certainly, nuclear waste would qualify. I think everyone would agree that no amount of nuclear waste is or should be permissible. CO^2 is another matter. Why? Because, at certain levels, CO^2 is actually beneficial. The bulk of it is absorbed by plants in the processing of water and carbon into sugars (photosynthesis). So exactly how much is "too much," and who decides?
NOW, as a libertarian I also believe that polluting the common environment is an unjust "first-use-of-force," and is thus a violation of the non-aggression principle (NAP). If you want to pass laws which prohibit pollution along those lines, fine--but here's the rub: people will invariably define "pollution" differently.
Certainly, nuclear waste would qualify. I think everyone would agree that no amount of nuclear waste is or should be permissible. CO^2 is another matter. Why? Because, at certain levels, CO^2 is actually beneficial. The bulk of it is absorbed by plants in the processing of water and carbon into sugars (photosynthesis). So exactly how much is "too much," and who decides?
Notme123abc · 100+, M
At least they're getting involved. I find it funny that people that deny humans are creating changes in our environment don't want to do anything different either. What is th harm of cutting emissions and pollution? Fielr wvery time someone talks about changes deniers simply go back to it's too expensive or will cost jobs. Funny thing is tjat wind and solar are replacing all thise coal and oil jobs at a higjer rate with better pay. Seems like goid economic sense to me. Simply put that denial is the very definition of insanity according to a Chinese proverb.
SW-User
@Notme123abc Maybe they just wanted a day off school
Theseus · 46-50, M
@Notme123abc There's no harm at all in cutting pollution provided it happens in incremental steps.
Here's the problem, though. We're just one country of many. We can be the greenest society on earth, and yet countries such as Russia and China will still pump sludge into the environment--perhaps even moreso knowing that we're living so green.
And yes, affordability is an issue. What about 3rd world nations who can't make the switch from fossil fuels? Are we gonna pay for the transition of every other nation on earth?
Here's the problem, though. We're just one country of many. We can be the greenest society on earth, and yet countries such as Russia and China will still pump sludge into the environment--perhaps even moreso knowing that we're living so green.
And yes, affordability is an issue. What about 3rd world nations who can't make the switch from fossil fuels? Are we gonna pay for the transition of every other nation on earth?
HoraceGreenley · 56-60, M
SW-User
@HoraceGreenley Doesn’t exactly give me hope for the future of the species Horace.
HoraceGreenley · 56-60, M