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Re: E-M:/ global warming/population
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Enviro-Mich message from "William Tobler" <williamtobler@critterswoods.org>
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Everything is possible when taken out of context.
If Bill, Chuck, Edie and Anna (and even everyone on EM) all do their utmost,
then their individual contributions won't be felt in the world, even to the
15th decimal place.
I've made this point over and over again - the entire United States
population has to learn to sacrifice some. And they have to learn what and
how from somewhere. It is up to environmental groups and individuals to
provide credible information and bearable solutions. I see next to nothing
of this, and much of the information that I do see is technically wrong.
Worse, other than some of the persons here on EM, I personally know of no
one who cares. They are fully prepared go forward as they have always done.
Cutting our personal energy consumption in half would be a big
accomplishment. But with the other things going counter, this benefit won't
last long. Because the vast majority today see no need (as measured by
their personal results, not stupidly designed polls) and nothing is
happening with regards to the counter forces, and so many threats for
existence are coming to a head at the same time, I am NOT very optimistic
about our future.
Lest what I have said be taken out of context, and I am sure it will, I am
trying to get people fired up to do something meaningful, instead of 0.1%
here and 0.1% there which just won't cut it. Since population growth, both
US and worldwide, is the main driver for total resource consumption, and
there is no abatement in sight, my personal sacrifices are meaningless
except in my own heart and mind.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Chuck Cubbage" <charles.cubbage@comcast.net>
To: "Anna Dorothy Graham" <grahama9@msu.edu>; <enviro-mich@great-lakes.net>
Sent: Wednesday, February 06, 2008 5:18 PM
Subject: Re: E-M:/ global warming/population
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Enviro-Mich message from "Chuck Cubbage" <charles.cubbage@comcast.net>
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Anna,
Whoa!! If I understand your comment right you are saying that
collectively we can make differences, but I question the phrase "there
isn't anything we can do as individuals"
William is right to point out the difficulties in dealing with global
forces, but dead wrong in assuming that nothing we do as individuals makes
a difference. Anyone remember the bit about the beachwalker who was
tossing starfish back into the sea being questioned about why when so many
would die anyway on the vast beach?
There is a difference between being all alone, the only one, etc., and
being an individual who joins others to have an impact. But it all starts
with individuals making choices. Edie is one heck of a lot closer to
being right than those who cry her activities don't make a difference
(sounds like the "sky is falling" mentality at work to me). Edie, is
making a difference not in just her life, but by her example. We all do,
so decide what sort of message you want to leave by how you live.
Sort of reminds me of JFK's quote, "Ask not....".
Regards,
Chuck
----- Original Message -----
From: "Anna Dorothy Graham" <grahama9@msu.edu>
To: <enviro-mich@great-lakes.net>
Sent: Tuesday, February 05, 2008 7:03 PM
Subject: E-M:/ global warming/population
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Enviro-Mich message from "Anna Dorothy Graham" <grahama9@msu.edu>
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I absolutely agree with William Tobler that there isn't any point in our
trying to combat global warming as individuals if the sole objective is
to bring as many human beings into the world as possible and keep them
marginally alive. We have to do it for all the species on earth -- which
is how I frame my own efforts to myself.
Anna
Anna Kirkwood Graham, J.D., Ph.D.
"There is no trifling with nature; it is always true, grave and severe;
it is always in the right, and the faults and errors fall to our share."
-- Goethe
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Postings to: enviro-mich@great-lakes.net For info, send email to
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and Conservation Issues and Michigan-based Citizen Action. Archives at
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Postings to: enviro-mich@great-lakes.net For info, send email to
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