The War of the Worlds
When the “summit to save the world” wraps up this week in Copenhagen, 41,000 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent will have been emitted into the atmosphere – roughly the same output as a moderately sized city. The pollutants are streaming from the tailpipes of limousines (hundreds of which had to be driven into the country from Germany and Sweden to meet the demand), and from the engines of the private jets ferrying in VIPs. So many jets are coming into Copenhagen that the city’s airport is unable to accommodate them, forcing pilots to drop off passengers in Denmark and then fly to Sweden to “park.” Every luxury hotel in the city is booked and offering its high profile guests such sustainable fare as scallops, foie gras and the finest caviar. It’s hardly an example in curbing excess …
Copenhagen is functioning as a perfect microcosm: For every dogged activist, subsisting on tofu and living off the grid, there are untold numbers who somehow consider themselves outside or above the problem; people who are unable to see the irony in jetting across the world to discuss the issue of carbon emissions. Until the world’s elite stop seeing two planets – the one that needs saving and the one on which they live – 41,000 tons of pollution is the only thing this kind of summit will produce.
32 comments on the article “The War of the Worlds”
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cx3_lalonde
That is totally true. The only way we will solve our environmental crisis is if Capitalism is dismantled and no longer a system of for-profit production. Why do we measure progress and development in terms of how much crap can be produced and consumed? Nothing we do is sustainable, and the realities that have emerged out of this chaos of consumption would be destroyed if we did make the changes we so desperately need to.
The world is one strange place....
cx3_lalonde
That is totally true. The only way we will solve our environmental crisis is if Capitalism is dismantled and no longer a system of for-profit production. Why do we measure progress and development in terms of how much crap can be produced and consumed? Nothing we do is sustainable, and the realities that have emerged out of this chaos of consumption would be destroyed if we did make the changes we so desperately need to.
The world is one strange place....
Alida Irwin
Excellent point and information. I see another "two worlds" in this debate: the developed world, and the developing world.
The powers that be in the developed nations don't want to curb consumerism or commerce, because that's what creates jobs and wealth. The developing nations need commerce (and assistance) to become developed -- to have jobs and wealth.
The consequence is that no one really wants to reduce carbon emissions -- carbon emissions mean commerce, and commerce seems to be the only path we know to development. Hence the bickering, the threats from developing nations to give up and go home, the stalling of important talks.
Everyone wants jobs and wealth, but people from each "world" fear the other will protect itself at their expense: effectively, no one wants to be the biggest loser. Both worlds are focused on economics, and they can't see how anyone wins economically from actually reducing carbon emissions.
Alida Irwin
Excellent point and information. I see another "two worlds" in this debate: the developed world, and the developing world.
The powers that be in the developed nations don't want to curb consumerism or commerce, because that's what creates jobs and wealth. The developing nations need commerce (and assistance) to become developed -- to have jobs and wealth.
The consequence is that no one really wants to reduce carbon emissions -- carbon emissions mean commerce, and commerce seems to be the only path we know to development. Hence the bickering, the threats from developing nations to give up and go home, the stalling of important talks.
Everyone wants jobs and wealth, but people from each "world" fear the other will protect itself at their expense: effectively, no one wants to be the biggest loser. Both worlds are focused on economics, and they can't see how anyone wins economically from actually reducing carbon emissions.
Anonymous
very insightful
Anonymous
very insightful
Anonymous
I think people arguing for the end of capitalism need to start being more realistic. I agree that capitalism sucks, but if you want any change, you have to use compromise and fight within the existing system. Once you start denouncing capitalism, people will start ignoring you. That kind of change occurs over hundreds or thousands of years. What I hope to see, and believe could occur within our lifetime, is improvement of the existing system, rather than total recall. North American, European and Asian consumers drive the majority of the world economy, and in that fact lies their power. Consumer behaviour change can drastically change world markets, and this is where we need to start.
Anonymous
I think people arguing for the end of capitalism need to start being more realistic. I agree that capitalism sucks, but if you want any change, you have to use compromise and fight within the existing system. Once you start denouncing capitalism, people will start ignoring you. That kind of change occurs over hundreds or thousands of years. What I hope to see, and believe could occur within our lifetime, is improvement of the existing system, rather than total recall. North American, European and Asian consumers drive the majority of the world economy, and in that fact lies their power. Consumer behaviour change can drastically change world markets, and this is where we need to start.
ken vallario
i totally agree...
the problem is a lack of creative enthusiasm, a lack of a sense of adventure, that I posit comes from isolation from poverty, which makes for an impoverished imagination, such is the corrupting nature of power and excess. it's a pickle...
ken vallario
kenvallario.com
ken vallario
i totally agree...
the problem is a lack of creative enthusiasm, a lack of a sense of adventure, that I posit comes from isolation from poverty, which makes for an impoverished imagination, such is the corrupting nature of power and excess. it's a pickle...
ken vallario
kenvallario.com
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