Is it realistic to believe we can save the planet with regulations? (1 Viewer)

[Captain Adverse]

I don't really understand this "save the planet" ideology. The "Planet" will do just fine, as it has already done, with or without humans on it for millennia. I believe what people are actually saying is "save the planet for US to live on."

That's a whole different proposition. That would take some actual common agreement on how to "husband" the resources so as to allow us to continue to live and perhaps thrive on it. I don't know if we as a species can ever come to any agreements before it becomes too late for us.

We are a pretty contentious species.

 

[Lycanthrope]

That would take some actual common agreement on how to "husband" the resources so as to allow us to continue to live and perhaps thrive on it. I don't know if we as a species can ever come to any agreements before it becomes too late.

Agreed.

 

[MauiMan]

Not at all. Humans aren't a mistake, nor are they part of some grand cosmic narrative. They are just one among a group of successful species at this brief moment in the earth's 4.5 billion year history.

What I am saying is as a species humans seem hellbent on self-destruction. It's not about "humanity is the worst," it's about "humanity is incapable of acting in its best self interest." If we manage to stupid ourselves into extinction, however, the earth will reset and life will carry on.

Yeah, I hear what you're saying. Humans have been around for just a tiny blip in Earth's timeline, and it does seem like we're pretty good at making choices that don't exactly scream long-term survival. But Self-destruction's a tough pattern to break when you think about how stubborn we can be. But you're right Earth's been through worse. If we mess it up too bad, it'll just hit the reset button and roll on without us. Life's relentless like that. What do you think might nudge us toward acting smarter as a species?

 

[Manc Skipper]

I don't really understand this "save the planet" ideology. The "Planet" will do just fine, as it has already done, with or without humans on it for millennia. I believe what people are actually saying is "save the planet for US to live on."

That's a whole different proposition. That would take some actual common agreement on how to "husband" the resources so as to allow us to continue to live and perhaps thrive on it. I don't know if we as a species can ever come to any agreements before it becomes too late for us.

We are a pretty contentious species.

It may be that one of the reasons we can't find other civilisations in the universe. is that they grow to a certain size/state of scientific knowledge, and accidentally kill themselves off with hubris about not fouling their own nest.

 

[Lycanthrope]

Yeah, I hear what you're saying. Humans have been around for just a tiny blip in Earth's timeline, and it does seem like we're pretty good at making choices that don't exactly scream long-term survival. But Self-destruction's a tough pattern to break when you think about how stubborn we can be. But you're right Earth's been through worse. If we mess it up too bad, it'll just hit the reset button and roll on without us. Life's relentless like that. What do you think might nudge us toward acting smarter as a species?

We live in an age when a significant number of Americans think Trump is a genius, a paragon of courage and manliness, and the savior of the nation.

Not to swing back into nihilism, but we're ****ed. It's not a question of if the end for mankind comes, but when.

 

[eohrnberger]

You are a victim then. YOU believe the misrepresentation in the cartoon. It worked for the ozone layer,

I'm not the one pushing the climate change FUD and panic.
The greatest wealth redistribution scam ever conceived.

 

[Atreus21]

The single best system so far for controlling human tendency for greed and conflict is capitalism.

You can be as greedy as you like, if you provide something lots of people want to buy.

And you are unlikely, or certainly less likely, to start conflict with trading partners.

 

[upsideguy]

After watching this video, several things occurred to me. First, how lucky I am to have been born in this country. Second, how unfortunate for millions of people who were born in third-world countries. Last, is there any hope at saving this planet, or has over population diminished that possibility?

You may never forget this video.

Sorry, your question is a bit loaded as it certainly will get anyone that thinks government regulations as 'evil' to just say 'no' without really thinking about it. The truth is that many issues of safety, including water and air safety, can be substantially solved through thoughtful regulation. So, my answer is 'yes'

I'm not the one pushing the climate change FUD and panic.
The greatest wealth redistribution scam ever conceived.

No, that would be the Reagan tax cuts...

 

[upsideguy]

I'm not the one pushing the climate change FUD and panic.
The greatest wealth redistribution scam ever conceived.

No, that would be the Reagan tax cuts.....

 

[SMTA]

In answer to your question: yes. Law and order has defined human civilization and we are all better for it than when we were free in the jungle.

Second question: the problem in the last few decades is not OVER population- but shrinking populations all over the world.

Shrinking populations mean less growth and a more fractious world

Politicians must act now to avert the worst

www.economist.com

How declining population growth might portend a future of increasing resource scarcity

In the coming century, the global economy will experience an unprecedented convergence of two trends, as the world’s population reaches its peak while simultaneously approaching near-zero levels of growth – a combination that will invert both the population pyramid and dependency rates. This...

cepr.org

Bullshit.

 

[trouble13]

After watching this video, several things occurred to me. First, how lucky I am to have been born in this country. Second, how unfortunate for millions of people who were born in third-world countries. Last, is there any hope at saving this planet, or has over population diminished that possibility?

You may never forget this video.

It's unrealistic to think the planet needs us to save it

 

[ataraxia]

Bullshit.
View attachment 67560410

You seem to have left out the rest of the story:

“Throughout history, Earth's total human population has continued to grow; however, current projections suggest that this long-term trend of steady population growth may be coming to an end.[1]”

Population decline - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[uptower]

Not at all. Humans aren't a mistake, nor are they part of some grand cosmic narrative. They are just one among a group of successful species at this brief moment in the earth's 4.5 billion year history.

What I am saying is as a species humans seem hellbent on self-destruction. It's not about "humanity is the worst," it's about "humanity is incapable of acting in its best self interest." If we manage to stupid ourselves into extinction, however, the earth will reset and life will carry on.

Oh we act in our self interest alright. The problem is it's only short term elf interest such as financial benefit. We can think maybe a generation or two ahead along the same lines but not hundred years.

 

[SavannahMann]

I do so love the RW and their hatred of anything they don’t understand. Nearly every Regulation was written to stop something from happening again.

Regulations on the minimum width of airline aisles, written after a plane caught on fire and people got jammed up in narrow passageways and died. There was enough time for nearly everyone to escape but the narrow aisles created choke points and panic did the rest.

Routes the planes are allowed to fly over water are determined by alternate airfields that they must be able to reach if they lose an engine in flight.

Regulations on Banks were passed after the Government had to bail them out.

Regulations are passed after the **** up that showed the need. Lifeboats on ships? Those regulations were created after the unsinkable Titanic, sunk.

The Moron who built the Submersible Titan openly mocked Safety Regulations. He and five others paid with their lives. The thing he never learned or cared about was the Regulations he scoffed at were written after accidents killed people before.

The RW likes to claim there are too many Regulations. We need to simplify. The Same RW demands to know who is to blame when they get rid of regulations and the Taxpayer is expected to fund the bailout.

So we go through the process over and over again. Something screws up. We pass regulations to stop it from happening again. Too many regulations gets rid of the regs. Then something screws up again, and again, rinse and repeat.

 

[spud_meister]

After watching this video, several things occurred to me. First, how lucky I am to have been born in this country. Second, how unfortunate for millions of people who were born in third-world countries.

Your country is the reason those countries are poor.

Last, is there any hope at saving this planet, or has over population diminished that possibility?

The problem isn't overpopulation, it's over-consumption. The global proletariat produces enough resources to feed, clothe and house the world, the capitalists refuse to distribute those resource equally, and instead concentrate them in countries where people will pay more, and encourage excess consumption to maintain this.

 

[MauiMan]

We live in an age when a significant number of Americans think Trump is a genius, a paragon of courage and manliness, and the savior of the nation.

Not to swing back into nihilism, but we're ****ed. It's not a question of if the end for mankind comes, but when.

You think Trump being seen as a genius by some means we're all doomed? People have been worshipping dumb idols since forever doesn't mean the world's ending tomorrow. And savior of the nation? Half the country thinks he's the devil incarnate, so your significant number is already shaky. Mankind's been through worse plagues, wars, and we're still kicking. Why are you so sure this is the tipping point?

 

[SMTA]

You seem to have left out the rest of the story:

“Throughout history, Earth's total human population has continued to grow; however, current projections suggest that this long-term trend of steady population growth may be coming to an end.[1]”

Population decline - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

I don’t give a **** about the future.
I addressed historical.
Anything future is a WAG.

 

[SMTA]

You think Trump being seen as a genius by some means we're all doomed? People have been worshipping dumb idols since forever doesn't mean the world's ending tomorrow. And savior of the nation? Half the country thinks he's the devil incarnate, so your significant number is already shaky. Mankind's been through worse plagues, wars, and we're still kicking. Why are you so sure this is the tipping point?

The Trump ass kissing is to the right.
Step right in and pucker up.

 

[KingLeo]

Not as much about saving the planet as a whole, the planet will still be here long after humans are gone, and more about making sure the planet is still going to be inhabitable for humans.

 

[Lycanthrope]

You think Trump being seen as a genius by some means we're all doomed? People have been worshipping dumb idols since forever doesn't mean the world's ending tomorrow. And savior of the nation? Half the country thinks he's the devil incarnate, so your significant number is already shaky. Mankind's been through worse plagues, wars, and we're still kicking. Why are you so sure this is the tipping point?

In my lifetime I've never seen so many embrace/deflect/defend/ignore/whatabout for a figure that undermines what were previously sacrosanct principles and ethics - personal responsibility, personal morality/integrity, respect for intelligence and compassion, respect for the truth, and practical politics based on reason and compromise.

In my lifetime there has never before been an avalanche of misinformation paired with the means to disseminate it to millions instantly.

In my lifetime a POTUS has never so willfully embraced a combination of pettiness, naked greed/nepotism, demonization of marginalized Americans, disregard for society's vulnerable, and catering to Russian interests.

In my lifetime I have never seen such an openly enthusiastic promotion of the class divide/embrace of oligarchy.

In my lifetime I've never seen our government and our society so bitterly divided along partisan lines.

I hope I'm wrong.

 

[ataraxia]

I don’t give a **** about the future.
I addressed historical.
Anything future is a WAG.

Why don't you give a **** about the future?

And what's a WAG? I googled it and it said it stands for "wives and girlfriends". (?)

 

[SMTA]

Why don't you give a **** about the future?

And what's a WAG? I googled it and it said it stands for "wives and girlfriends". (?)

Of course not.
It’s a snarky term used by educated people - wild ass guess.

 

[ataraxia]

Of course not.
It’s a snarky term used by educated people - wild ass guess.

So you never plan for the future? Interesting life you must have.

 

[MauiMan]

The Trump ass kissing is to the right.
Step right in and pucker up.

Oh, please. The Trump obsession is so overblown both sides are just drooling over him for different reasons.

You think the right's the only one puckering up? The left's been smooching his shadow every time they freak out over his every word. What's your deal why're you so fixated on him anyway?

 

[MauiMan]

In my lifetime I've never seen so many embrace/deflect/defend/ignore/whatabout for a figure that undermines what were previously sacrosanct principles and ethics - personal responsibility, personal morality/integrity, respect for intelligence and compassion, respect for the truth, and practical politics based on reason and compromise.

In my lifetime there has never before been an avalanche of misinformation paired with the means to disseminate it to millions instantly.

In my lifetime a POTUS has never so willfully embraced a combination of pettiness, naked greed/nepotism, demonization of marginalized Americans, disregard for society's vulnerable, and catering to Russian interests.

In my lifetime I have never seen such an openly enthusiastic promotion of the class divide/embrace of oligarchy.

In my lifetime I've never seen our government and our society so bitterly divided along partisan lines.

I hope I'm wrong.

Oh, come on, you're acting like this is some unprecedented crisis! Every generation thinks their problems are the worst ever pure nostalgia bias. People have been dodging responsibility and bending the truth since forever; it's just louder now because of tech. And don't kid yourself past presidents weren't saints either; they just had better PR. Greed? Nepotism? Check JFK or FDR. Russia? Cold War says hi. Class divide? Gilded Age laughs at you. Society's always been split Civil War, anyone? You're not wrong because you're hopeful; you're wrong because you're exaggerating. What's your benchmark for normal anyway?