Discussion of climate, how it is changing, activism around that, the politics, and the energy systems change we need in order to stabilize things.
As a starting point, the burning of fossil fuels, and to a lesser extent deforestation and release of methane are responsible for the warming in recent decades:
How much each change to the atmosphere has warmed the world:
Recommended actions to cut greenhouse gas emissions in the near future:
Anti-science, inactivism, and unsupported conspiracy theories are not ok here.
I don't know why I ever look at the comments on the website articles. I guess some day I'd like to be surprised at what I find, and not a crazy echo chamber against the author every time, regardless of the content.
Don't look up
I love and hate films that feel like a documentary from the future.
I kind of like it, because it reinforces my belief that we deserve what's coming and it's not something random and unjust.
We don't deserve this, or at least most people don't.
I used to think that way as well, but I came to realize that a significant amount of 'bad' that I see in the world, of people voting against their own interests or rejecting reality; People like that were purposefully created, caught up in a machine of purposeful ignorance that the people in power wield as a tool. You and I were just lucky enough to have been exposed to the right people, the right material, the right friends, etc, to where we became interested in learning about the world, on becoming truly educated.
I'm not sure how I would've ended up if I had grown up in a family that didn't encourage intellectual development, or a failing underfunded school filled with teachers that do NOT have the knack to teach or inspire curiosity, of if I had grown up in an area that actively encourage anti-intellectualism, etc.
There's so many factors involved in why someone is fighting against their own interests, some are truly awful people, but others simply didn't have the tools to defend themselves against the propaganda, and once in it, struggle to escape from it if they're feeling the acceptance of being in a group of some kind, where the 'Disconfirmed Expectancy' phenomena takes hold strongly.
That's not to say we shouldn't fight against them, regardless of how they came to that place, but I do not hold extreme hatred for them or think we should all be purified in a fire because they exist. I pity them.
I do hate the people who purposefully keep that machine working, though. The ones who know exactly what they're doing.
How disconfirmed expectancy applies here? Can you give me an example? Very good post by the way!
A person that grew up around conservative values and who's friends are all conservatives with deeply held beliefs will find it very difficult to reject those beliefs and ideals even when confronted with compelling evidence, as doing so would ostracize them from their group/tribe. To eliminate the feeling of cognitive dissonance, they will rationalize away the contradictory evidence, and actually increase the conviction of their beliefs in doing so. If this is done long enough and often enough, they will have constructed their entire identity around this framework of eliminating the cognitive dissonance, to the point that any attempt to deconstruct these beliefs will essentially be interpreted as an attack on themselves, as they can no longer separate themselves from their beliefs.
In the case of Global Warming, many people have been denying that it exists for so long to maintain their in-group status, that as conditions worsen, they will likely find new and inventive ways to justify the belief that it doesn't exist instead of simply admitting that their previous position was incorrect.
According to the studies into prophetic cults, only 1 out of 12 groups disbanded when their prophecy was proven false, the others found new ways to continue with even deeper convictions. In many ways, conservatism is its own cult, with its own beliefs and convictions. Without adequate education or critical thinking skills to defend against its propaganda, it is almost inevitable that one will fall prey to their designs, and once in, it is very difficult to escape unless one has access to support groups (friends or family) that will accept you after changing your beliefs.
A clear example of disconfirmed expectancy is with Trump supporters. He was heralded as an outsider that would drain the swamp of corruption in our government, but obviously did nothing of the sort. In fact, it only became more and more obvious as time went on that he was an incompetent narcissist that cared nothing for the people who supported him. But people had already put so much of themselves in supporting him, in applying all their ideals to him, that a cult formed around him. Now every accusation, every attempt to discredit, and any evidence showing his own corruption and lack of principles is shown only reinforces the cult's belief that he is their savior, and any talk otherwise will get ejected from the group.
It's very difficult to get people to sever themselves from the people that gives them a feeling of community, family, or friendship, even if that group is ultimately self destructive.
Some days, I just think, "You know? Maybe aliens taking our planet for resources and stuffing us in intergalactic zoos would be for the best"
It's useful to see what kind of stupid arguments negacionist are making up, and trying to understand them. Sometimes is just Oil companies product of their investment in trying to spread misinformation.
Really wish some extreme actions were being taken. Shit like: everyone can trade in their gas cars for electric ones.
i agree, but how would we produce that many electric cars in a green way fast and with what money? focus on developing public transit and cities designed around bike lanes and local industry with a heavy emission tax to pay for it would be a better idea imo
That isn't nearly extreme enough. Electric cars are a weak half measure that fails to really deal with the problem. Investment in public transport, heavier taxation on personal transport, overhauling of energy generation, complete restructuring if global supply chains. These are the kind of changes we need.
We at the personal level need to accept that there is no way to continue with our lives exactly as they are and just make little tweaks like, oh you plug in your car now! Simple! No, a lot more needs to change. Our diets, the things we can buy, how easy it is to get unusual goods, the speed with which they reach us... where and how we can travel. These all need to change in major ways.
Extreme actions are being taken. Conservatives are trying harder than ever to increase oil and gas production, to de-list protected territories and wetlands and to defeat any remaining environmental protectiins that still somehow exist. They are succeeding to the extreme.
Conservatives are delighted they are entering a win-condition against life on earth. Their corporate overlords will reward them with golden crumbs in these final days.
The silver lining is, while we may have all lost the ability to live long lives, we haven't lost the ability to make conservatives suffer for killing us all.
Electric are only trying to save the car industry, not us:
I can't afford an electric car that has the range to get to work, and my 20 year old cars aren't worth much