Public Health Bioinformatics | Mycology | Plant Pathology | Cycling |
An 'Environmental Activist' atoning for his plastic and automotive sins | he/him
Views not representative of my Employer.
| Location | Providence, RI |
| Linux Flavor | Debian |
| Religious Affiliation | Aspiring Zen Buddhist, Unitarian Universalist, Embracer of Catholic Superstition |
"This is not a time for mild reformism, tweaking around the edges of a failing system. This is a time for revolutionary change."
Great piece by @jasonhickel
The Double Objective of Democratic Ecosocialism
https://monthlyreview.org/2023/09/01/the-double-objective-of-democratic-ecosocialism/
Hey #BikeTooter anyone know where I can get a mechanical, imperial (miles), #bike speedometer?
While I am a metric guy this is a gift for a mile devotee
Yesterday we had a discussion about the assertion that our planet will stop warming as soon as humans reduce emissions to "net zero." (See https://climatejustice.social/@breadandcircuses/111205794764047294) There is plenty of uncertainty around that oft-heard claim, mostly to do with how quickly tipping points and cascading effects might kick in.
However, as a few people said in comments on the OP, the whole question may be moot. Because emissions continue going up, fossil fuel expansion plans are still going strong, and our capitalist leaders seem to have no interest in doing anything different.
Let's try to imagine, though, a fantasy world completely opposite from the one we live in... a world where political leaders are not in thrall to the fossil fuel industry. (I know that's difficult to imagine, but try anyhow.)
In this make-believe world, let's say that political leaders actually listen to the scientists and decide to do what's needed.
So, starting where we are right now in 2023, what changes would they have to make in order to keep the long-term global average temperature rise from exceeding 1.5°C?
As you can see from the chart below, they would basically have to bring our entire civilization almost to a halt within the next few years. This would, of course, be catastrophic, cataclysmic, and any other adjective you care to use, with huge suffering, conflict, chaos, starvation, and unimaginable losses of life.
But that's where are are. That's the no-win situation our so-called leaders have put us in. That is the result of allowing capitalism to reign unchecked.
#Science #Environment #Climate #ClimateChange #ClimateCrisis #Capitalism #CO2 #Emissions
Attached: 1 image Will the planet immediately stop warming after humans reach net-zero emissions? This is what we're often told by overly optimistic pundits and/or apologists for the capitalist status quo. Unfortunately, while that might be reassuring to hear, it's not necessarily true, as explained here by Andrew Dessler (@[email protected])... _________________________ The consequences of human-induced climate change are becoming increasingly evident, as atmospheric CO2 levels continue to rise due to our relentless emissions. At present, we control CO2 emissions — but what happens when we lose that control? Scientists have long speculated about the potential for global warming to trigger feedback loops that release even more CO2 and methane into the atmosphere, amplifying the warming due to humans. For instance, warming temperatures can thaw permafrost, which holds vast amounts of organic carbon, like dead plants and the occasional woolly mammoth. As this material thaws, bacteria would begin digesting it, releasing this stored carbon as CO2 or methane. The released gases, in turn, further contribute to warming, leading to more permafrost thawing and emissions, and thus, a vicious cycle ensues. This phenomenon is known as a carbon-cycle feedback loop. Another cause for concern lies within the soils of the Amazon rainforest. Observations in the last few years indicate that warming and deforestation have pushed some parts of the Amazon into becoming a net carbon source: in other words, they're releasing more carbon into the atmosphere than they’re absorbing. This net release of CO2 will drive additional warming, leading to more emissions from the Amazon. What makes this so worrying is the prospect of losing control over the carbon cycle. Once carbon-cycle feedbacks become significant, atmospheric CO2 levels would continue to rise even if humans reach stop emitting CO2 to the atmosphere. _________________________ The thing is, we don't know exactly when some of these tipping points will kick in or how they might interact with each other. There's still far too much uncertainty. The only sensible choice is to end capitalism, sharply reduce our use of fossil fuels, and pivot toward Degrowth. FULL ARTICLE -- https://www.theclimatebrink.com/p/a-truly-worst-case-climate-scenario #Science #Environment #Climate #ClimateChange #ClimateCrisis #ClimateEmergency
Today our local daily carried #Providence Urbanist Networks' response to the #RhodeIsland Department of Transportation's revised Carbon Reduction Strategy.
tl;dr: While there are improvements, it's still nowhere near where it needs to be. Response by @shadow and I.
I'm sure many other states are going through the same thing right now.
The Protestant Church of Germany (EKD) calls citizens to support the climate strike, which will take place coming Friday, September 15th. It is time to act, the EKD believes. However, not everyone is happy with the green development of the Church
https://cne.news/article/3597-german-church-encourages-people-to-strike-for-the-climate
#MassExtinction #pollution #ecology #environment #climate #ClimateStrike #Germany
The Protestant Church of Germany (EKD) calls citizens to support the climate strike, which will take place coming Friday, September 15th. It is time to act, the EKD believes. However, not everyone is happy with the green development of the Church.
Ika Makimaki
Stacy
😀🚲
Bread and Circuses
Will is too honest to be an MP
Christian Roselund
Robert Sanscartier