Confessions of an environmental hypocrite.

re: Confessions of an environmental hypocrite.

Arthur — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 20:31:42 GMT

Talking of environmental hypocrites I notice that the fact that a certain global charity, (which shall remain nameless) recently held a 1,000 mile march in order to reduce the carbon footprint.

In true Christian charitable manner local people provided food and shelter to those who walked in the name of this charity and their cause over the following weeks.

The walk took roughly about a month to complete, with the said charity holding a service of thanksgiving at a rather large church in London, (you know the famous one with the dome); which was attended by those people who tend to make life very interesting, along with those who complete the mundane tasks that make daily life function.

The irony, is this charity brought people into Britain from all over the world, so that they could march with one voice calling for the world to reduce the carbon footprint !

One thought ....

We’ve been living with the news for years that the global reserves of fossil fuels are running out.

The real question that we should be asking is ... is the carbon footprint a smoke screen, and the true message should be we are concerned over the available levels of fossil fuels therefore we need to preach the conservation of energy ?

If this last message were adopted then the conservation of energy will naturally lead to the reduction of the carbon footprint

The reality ...

The reality is that our grandparents possibly knew about the issue concerning the availability of the resources, but based upon the technological advances at the time, this was not seen to be a problem. In all reality, other than HG Wells or Nostradamus, no one would have believed that in the last years of the 20th Century that the growth of personal electronic equipment would cause a potential drain upon the resources that were planned to provide comfort for the foreseeable future.

“With infinite complacency men went to and fro over this globe about their little affairs, serene in their assurance of their empire over matter ...... And early in the twenty-first century came the great disillusionment.”

Thought

It has been many years since I first read “the cycle of world affairs”, (Luigi Di Porta)

Peace brings riches

Riches bring pride

Pride brings anger

Anger brings war

War brings poverty

Poverty brings humanity

Humanity brings peace

And peace, as stated originally brings riches

And so the world’s affairs go around

Maybe at some point we will resolve the issue of the carbon footprint, and the available resources as we watch the ashes of war float on the welcome fresh morning breeze as our faces are washed by the tears falling from the sky

re: Confessions of an environmental hypocrite.

Eileen_Brown — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 21:47:24 GMT

James,

here's a view on global warming that may make you think. http://www.nurburgring.org.uk/benlovejoy/opinions/globalwarming/

Also think about how carbon has affected the 400,000 year Milankovich cycle: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milankovich_cycles

And don't feel too guilty about flying...

re: Confessions of an environmental hypocrite.

jamesone — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 13:10:54 GMT

@ Arthur. Good points mate.

"The real question that we should be asking is ... is the carbon footprint a smoke screen, and the true message should be we are concerned over the available levels of fossil fuels therefore we need to preach the conservation of energy ?"

Indeed. It doesn't matter if we approach it from the point of view of Carbon footprint, or of conservation of resources. The end point is the same.

@Eileen.

I've seen similar data on solar activity to that which Ben quotes. I call myself agnostic is I believe neither that CO2 is the only cause of warming nor that it has zero impact.

The fact that none of the models work too well shows that science hasn't yet worked out all the factors combine.

But even if the effect of C02 were zero, it would be still be good to use less fossil fuel.

re: Confessions of an environmental hypocrite.

Arthur — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 16:00:30 GMT

One thing that I hadn't really given thought to is that if we are often faced with the reduction in Travel & Expenditure (T&E) as many companies are pushed by their investors with the need to reduce costs; but also reduction in the "carbon footprint"; but also the improvement in productivity.

A manager, (whatever level), travelling 2 hours to conduct a meeting for one maybe two hours is effectively unproductive for anything upto four hours at a time (travelling). The same is true for those who travel by air when you add the total time spent travelling, (start destination to the airport, queuing time, security check-in, lounge waiting time, flight time, arrival check-in\security, baggage collection, travel time to destination ect).

One ideal solution is the emergence of Unified Communications. Whether it be the team conferenc call or an international conference.

Just how much time do you spend travelling ? - what a thought

Reduced travelling time = increased productivity = reduced costs = potentially an improved work\life balance

Arthur