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Earth 2050?
A recent article on a famous German news site is talking about the significant world wide climate change we are facing at the moment. In fact, most scientists judge the situation much more severe than I have been doing so far: They talk about 13 years during which we will have time to take big efforts in gas reduction. This means we may not wait until sometime in the future, but measures have to be taken in the upcoming years. I am not an expert in those things, but I have at least some thoughts to share about the topic.
Let's start with the visible effects of the climate change: More heavy rain, more floods and extreme weather in general. And a thing that I remember personally is: When I was a child at the age of 5, which means 20 years ago, we had a lot more snow in winter at my parents house... I mean everybody can see the changes, either on television or personally.
So know the question is: What to do? I think it's up to politics to make laws, etc... Would probably function when I look at Germany where the people have accepted many things to do for ecology like modifying their cars, separating trash, bringing back empty bottles and much more stuff.
But it would be stupid to think anything changes, if Germany did more efforts. And even a change in Europe would not bring the required results. We would need a world wide program, which is quite impossible. A famous guy named Maslow taught us: If your basic needs are not satisfied, you will not think on higher-level-needs. Which means in our case: If people on the world have economic problems or even starve, they will not think much on the climate change.
OK, there is one exception: The USA have reached a high economic level and are quite wealthy. I mean at least they can afford their wars. So they should be a good example for what is climate protection. I mean you cannot expect the same from a country like China, that has to think first on its economical development. In the end I think, the necessary measures will not be taken until all the countries have fully developed. Of course this will not happen in the next 100 years and the world will run in more serious problems.
Spain will be a dessert, the beaches of Italy will be unusable for swimming. Germany will face another major floods, etc... Finally I suppose Europe will not be the continent having to suffer the most, so let's lean back, grab some chips and watch the show. :-)
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Well said, my friend. Right now, we can only be thankful for countries like China to impose high fees and taxes on automobiles, so that only the richest can afford it. If everyone in China switched from bicycle to car tomorrow, the apocalypse would be near. Just today, when we were walking across the parking lot, my wife said: "Unbelievable! In Germany, every student seems to have a car. In China I don't know of a single one. Even Today." We can only pray that it stays that way.
But like you said: If the USA, Europe and other "role-model" countries don't show how it's done, why should China be the asshole, that has to try to undo the shit we've done? I doubt we'll find much sympathy there.
On top of that, you have already mentioned Maslow, who I can only agree with. Most of the people in China won't even know what you're talking about, when you tell them about the ozone-layer and greenhouse-gases. They'll probably just nod, acknowledging these problems as "Western-things". Like you said, they have more pressing problems than the environment.
OK, one word about China: I doubt the government is demanding taxes on cars to protect the GLOBAL environment. I think this wouldn't happen, if the Chinese roads could take more cars or if the the Chinese cities hadn't problems with smog. Maybe I am wrong, but I think the Chinese concern for the environment is not going beyond their own country.
And who can blame them for doing so? Nobody! We didn't concern either in the past. The problem is: Europe and the USE already have "consumed" the major part of the environment. We would have the environmental knockout, if every country did like Germany: First develop economy, then think about global warming. And it does not help a lot, if Germany is acting as a role model, although I think the country should. For this reason I am saying: Lean back and watch the show.
Definitely agree. That's why I was saying China is so critical. I am sure they are not doing it because of the environment, but like you said, because of road capacity. Just to put into perspective, a few hundred cars are registerd EACH DAY in Shanghai. And already now you can't imagine it getting any more crowded than it is already. It's a ticking timb-bomb...
I'll lean back, but I'm praying I'm not part of the show.