Ninwa ([info]ninwa) wrote,
@ 2007-02-15 14:17:00
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Our World
I just got finished watching Al Gore's documentary on global warming called An Inconvenient Truth. I've always wondered how people can see a problem and just ignore it because it wont affect them. Ignore it because it's not on their agenda, or that they prefer money over the future of our planet. I never understood it. How can people be so greedy? I know this sounds like a commercial, but visit www.climatecrisis.net to see what you can do. The tips from the website are pretty simple:

- Use florescent lights to save energy. If you don't like the color temperature they emit then you must not know that you can get them in almost any color now.
- Check your tires regularly. I actually just had mine changed because of a flat. Driving on properly inflated tires can save you 3% on gas mileage.
- Recycle more. Why the hell aren't you returning your cans for your deposit? You're an idiot if you don't.
- Simply drive less. I know it's cold out now, but in the summer if you're just heading a mile over to a friends house or up to the mall, ride your bike instead, or walk.
- Plant a tree! I intend on trying this in the spring, it actually sounds kind of fun. When it's larger you'll always be able to drive by it knowing that you put it there.

He said something that I thought was pretty inspiring too, but not as simple.

- Vote for leaders who say they will help change how we affect our climate.
- Write to them and write to congress.
- And if they don't listen to you, run for congress.

Alright, I'm done being a pansy tree hugger now.

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[info]soapyapplesauce
2007-02-15 07:45 pm UTC (link)
there are so many things like that though. last year this vegan guy came to one of my classes to give a speech on animal cruelty. everything he said was so powerful, it made me want to never touch meat or any other animal-related product ever again. no one gives a shit about how animals are treated to feed us though. as much as i would like to take the time to stop eating animals, i haven't because it's so convenient, but i feel guilty every single time i do and it's been almost a year since i heard that speech. but you have to remember there are two sides to every story and of course, when you want someone to take your side, you're only going to present the best information to help you win others over. but even if there was no global warming, people should still care about our environment.

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[info]ninwa
2007-02-15 08:11 pm UTC (link)
The difference is that you not eating meat will not kill me. Not doing something about our carbon emissions will (and if not me specifically, most definitely millions of others). There's no longer a question as to whether or not global warming exists or is happening as there was at one point. But it does exist, and it is happening. There is now a landslide of evidence that provides us with no doubt. The problem is that people don't want to do anything about it because it costs them money. Solar panels cost more money to install than getting city electric and so it's an inconvenience. Hybrid cars cost more than normal cars. It's economic, but in what world do you intend on spending your money if ours is ruined?

I understand your skepticism. I think it's natural to disbelieve something that somebody says without witnessing it first hand (except religion, but I digress). But I recommend that anybody who's interested do a little bit of research on their own. Open up any scientific journal and you'll quickly notice that 99% of reports written on the topic conclude that global warming is a problem.

It really is just simply what the title of his documentary was: An Inconvenient Truth.

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[info]ninwa
2007-02-15 08:13 pm UTC (link)
I feel like I should add an extra: No, seriously.

I'm not just re-iterating some shit that I've heard on TV. I've been following this for awhile.

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[info]soapyapplesauce
2007-02-15 10:30 pm UTC (link)
i believe you. and i do know it's real, but even if it wasn't, people should still care about their environment. it shouldn't take a threat to our lives to care about something other than ourselves, whether it's the lives of animals or whatever. i mean, people should care about recycling and littering and all of that anyway, right? but most people need a kick in the ass, or a threat such as global warming, to even begin thinking about the problem. and besides convenience and laziness, most people don't want to be thrown out of their little happy comfort zone bubbles that they live in. and an issue like that only opens up more doors to other important issues. for example, what will happen when all of the available geographic space is used up so we can have a CVS on the corner of every street? better yet, what about all of the space that is used up for houses? it would make more sense that we all live in a several story apartment, to conserve space. but no one wants to be cramped in like that. and that could lead to the problem of our growing population. i don't know where i had originally intended to go with the whole vegan thing except that people can present facts in an extremely powerful way to get what they want. while there are also people on the other side with facts to try to disprove or lessen the problem, which makes you wonder who to believe. but i do think it is good to give a shit about something, anything, instead of just being apathetic about it.

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[info]heylookafishl
2007-02-16 03:27 am UTC (link)
I'll sit through the whole thing eventually. I'm always interested, but it's hard to sit through the beginning.

I would love it if someone just got pissed and ran for congress. They don't need to win, or get votes to make their difference

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[info]heylookafishl
2007-02-16 03:29 am UTC (link)
off topic, but did you hear about al franken and his running for senate-ness?

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