[morri2]

Basically, the climate is changing - it is always changing.  We have a set idea of what our climate 'should be' based on the relatively settled period we are experiencing at present.  Bear in mind this settled period has only lasted less than a century!!  Prior to that there have been huge swings in temperature and storminess - The medieval warm period - the little ice age - weather interruptions caused by volcanic activity.  Whether the present periods of warmth (and these are by no means as unusual  as people seem to think) are anthropogenic or otherwise, we still need to think sustainably.  We are actually more likely to hit a cold phase (see posts on the 'Coffee House' section) here than a warm one - the more food we can grow for ourselves, the better because there are going to be food supply problems in the very near future.  We cannot possibly continue with our present levels of consumption - of anything - it is simply not sustainable!  We all need to reuse and recycle, climate change or not, as Doganjo has pointed out previously. 

As for offsetting - we'd all be much better using less to start with than trying to offset it, which is merely a sop to those who can't bring themselves to do without.  That said, planting trees is always a good idea provided, in the circumstances, it does not inhibit the growing of food.

Look forward to lots more comments on this important issue.  Cheers all, you've got the right idea - unlike most politicians!!!!

[Bright Raven]

And my dark thought for today is that I am long past trusting the actions of any government or organised political system to actually make policy decisions that intervine positively for the ordinary person or the planet.
And as I descend into the depths of my cynicism and disgust with the whole hierarchy I might even carve on my own grave that the New World Order would have us financially, morally and socially bankrupted, depopulated and de-skilled and would suppress us by causing us to fight among ourselves.

I am convinced that individuals should do all they can to limit their environmental impact.  
I am convinced that us bright folk who think outside the system should stick together, help eachother and encourage one another to look into the difficult questions without shooting eachother down.
TAS is a brilliant place to share our valuable skills and ideas.

We are living in interesting times.
 

[yankieGirl]

BTW if my replies don't seem timely, it's because I am 5 hours behind you folks.

Wouldn't it be nice if we could all get along.....well we don't and for good reason.  There is fact and fiction.  Reality and fantasy land.  Those who want to socialize (the governmental/economic theory, I'm not using it as a slur) and those who don't.  At the risk of sounding simplistic, it's that simple.  

 Waterhouse said "while Uncle Sam's use of grain to make hooch to drive cars is morally and economically criminal"


Some (like me) in the US have been saying this since the beginning.  More BTU's are required to make the ethanol than the energy it will ever provide.  Corn is the least efficient of all the products they have fermented for ethanol (wood products, switchgrass, etc)  Corn $ goes up.  I never realized how many foods and products used corn and its by products!  So why do we do it?  To be less dependent on foreign petro....point taken.  But this isn't efficient so why plod on?

Oink:  I guess it was a cheap shot but I'd still be interested in yannkiegirls answer

I would be labeled a right winger by the left and a conservative by the right.  Call me whatever you wish.  

No I'm not a Palin supporter.  I am not a detractor either.   I do however, find myself more in her corner everytime the media bashes her.  I know it excites the left wing base but I think they fear her for some reason beyond a mere disagreement with her positions.

[morri2]

Some (like me) in the US have been saying this since the beginning.  More BTU's are required to make the ethanol than the energy it will ever provide.  Corn is the least efficient of all the products they have fermented for ethanol (wood products, switchgrass, etc)  Corn $ goes up.  I never realized how many foods and products used corn and its by products!  So why do we do it?  To be less dependent on foreign petro....point taken.  But this isn't efficient so why plod on?

Yankie girl, have a look at either of these books and you'll find your answer.

Paul Roberts 'The End of Food'
Felicity Lawrence 'Not on the Label' OR 'Eat Your Heart Out'

Cheers.

[yankieGirl]

morri2

I am convinced that us bright folk who think outside the system should stick together, help eachother and encourage one another to look into the difficult questions without shooting eachother down.
TAS is a brilliant place to share our valuable skills and ideas

I agree with morri2.  My husband and I often talk about how we could barter our skills and resources.  My less informed friends and peers at work don't have a clue what is coming....I would gladly share my stash of toiletpaper with any of you when things become scarce.

[waterhouse]

Which seems an apt moment to quote the american father of a friend whose long term plan is "cash, canned food and cartridges"

[yankieGirl]

There is a thriving "survivalist" movement here in the US.  Seeds, food storage, water storage, gas generators......Some to the extreme, some less so. 

"cash, canned food and cartridges"

I too subscibe to that trinity!  We have stashes of all three!  Plus toiletpaper!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  We Americans like our creature comforts.

[waterhouse]

I think the British are generally more laid-back.  We collect solar energy and store rainwater because it reduces our bills rather than we expect the Apocalypse any time soon. 

We do have a small generator but that's because Electricite de France owns the local power infrastructure and turns if off pretty regularly for extended periods.  It was cheaper than a UPS big enough to run my business for 12 hours.

[Bright Raven]

A new thread on what we stash could be interesting......

[knightquest]

The realities of what could happen have been brought home to me on this forum. In fairness, I'd got the front door open looking for them but home they are!

I've never really trusted 'governments' before without really knowing why................now I do!

I belive that we should as a matter of course recycle. I HATE waste of any kind so we reuse and adapt everything we can. I haven't had to make a choice about carbon neutral or not but if everything else was equal then I would go with the CN company.

I heard some disturbing news today...............no will put that on a separate topic.

Ian