environmental threats!!!?

Question

what can be done to reduce the impact of major environmental threats facing the world???

Answer 1

This is a doozy, and one of the most difficult questions posing the world today. I believe the reason its so difficult is 1 a fundamental lack of willpower on the side of those for the common good
2)because solving environmental problems appears to threaten economic interests for example-imagine-not using fossil fuels-the oil and coal industries would burst a fu-fu valve if they couldnt turn that profit-they are a powerful lobby, and theyll damn well get the last cent out of the last reserves they can. Theyll scream that they provide jobs and infrastructure and investment

But you have to ask who loses by the environment and the community winning (note- the economists , the corportae fat cats and the community are not mutually exclusive!)

So if the economy, if money rules- how can we save the environment-well we could alert them to the obvious-the fundamental flaws and omissions in traditional economic theory-eg nothing in the economy exists without a natural resource to draw its inputs from or to pump its outputs eg their waste into.....
Anything that is not valued correctly in a free market may be inadequately allocated/distributed unless the government intervenes
In the case of the environment, traditional economic theory has the capacity to dramatically mislead us, even doom us, if we dont put limits on its unrealistic capacity for growth.
but
im not sure theyre listening-it doesnt make them any money-why should they listen!


So why dont we VALUE the environment. Its the best quick fix I can think of. See Costanza et al- he had an article in nature regarding placing a value on ecosystem functioning-ie the forests value acting as lungs to absorb CO2, wetlands value as filters etc-his conclusion was that the resources, the functions that nature provided were priceless (we need to breathe clean air,drink clean waterand eat uncontaminated food to survive dont we? ) .

Be aware of the facts-there is little argument in the scientific community about what the problems are and what needs to be done. Lobby your govts to sign the Kyoto Protocol (Australia/USA-what are you doing!!!) Educate yourself about the Montreal Protocol, the IPCC, coral bleaching, biodiversity losses-Get rid of the confusion over the issues-its a fact-were on the slippery slope and sliding!


Other than that accept that individuals need to step more lightly-work from the bottom up-save water, save power, do what you can so we can turn around to the big companies and say Im carbon neutral-are you? I have reduced my waste and water by 2/3 what are you doing?

Answer 2

My best answer, and you are not going to like it, is nothing. Well, recycle your stuff and conserve your power. But that won't help. There are many factors that lead to environmental threats. For instance, there have been solar flares jutting from the surface of the sun that are about 1/4 the diameter of the sun. Polar ice caps are melting on Mars, too.
When I say do nothing, I mean don't get caught up in it.
Try this...
think about something warm and comforting, like puppies and take your pulse.
Next, think about filthy republicans wanting to destroy your planet, then take your pulse and note the difference.

If global warming were the immediate threat Al Gore says it is, he would completely reduce the energy he spends, rather than make up lame reasons why he uses so much (20 times the average household).

Answer 3

Despite JeffyB's humorous post, impeaching GWB will not affect any environmental threats to the planet. That can only be achieved by eradicating the human race, or by each individual doing whatever they can to minimize waste and pollution. Several steps can be taken when it comes to industry including discontinuing a particular product produced by said industry. Aside from that, one can petition their government - local, state, and fed - to address their concerns.

It should be noted, however, that many of the changes in the climate are quite natural and have occured at varying times throughout the Earth's history. Species come and go, Planet Earth endures. It will until it collides with a small pebble as it soars through space and is obliterated.

Answer 4

Working to develop more efficient and effective business models is one thing that people are working on....environmental impact is a serious issue....and realizing the regulation, although expensive, is important as well---it just has to become more efficient and effective like everything else. Its not an easy task to undertake. You should focus on one area of environmental impact and try to make a world of difference. Good luck!

Answer 5

Education!

When EVERYONE realizes that the decisions they make, no matter how small and even when no one is watching, are as important part of the cure as stopping global warming.

We can't be frozen in fear, we must shake it off and move swiftly to stem the damage and extinction of life as we know it. It is that big of deal and can't be ignored; the fire bell can ring only so many times before it too is consumed by the fire.

Answer 6

Impeach George Bush.

Answer 7

Free markets and private property with as little government intervention or proprety ownership as possible.
Governments pollute.
People take care of their own properties and environment.
And impeach anyone that gives an agreeing nod to Gore and his global warming facists.

Answer 8

www.care2.com is a very good website for singing petions and getting invovled with other like minded people. Also they have a large assortment of e-cards which helps cut down on the use of paper.

Answer 9

dont pollute or litter