|
Patlal
You ask too many questions



Registered: 10/09/10
Posts: 44,797
Loc: Ottawa
Last seen: 1 hour, 39 minutes
|
Is trying to save the environment a lost cause?
#18803757 - 09/05/13 03:30 PM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
|
|
The population keeps rising, we are more dependant on oil than ever, more land will be needed for farming, industry is beating its own production records every day. More houses are need, more wood, more water, more, more, more
You can make things more energy efficient but in the end, unless a great discovery is made, the natural growth of the world will always be greater than the efficiency development. I mean it's good that we try, but it seems we'll never be able to catch up with growing rate of pollution.
There is some good news though. China is planning on investing 474 billion a year on the environment. That should help but It doesn't change the fact that population will still increase.
Is this a war we can win or are we just delaying the inevitable?
--------------------
|
MisterSandman
Neo Nazi



Registered: 03/23/13
Posts: 2,936
Loc: Meth
Last seen: 8 years, 3 months
|
Re: Is trying to save the environment a lost cause? [Re: Patlal]
#18803773 - 09/05/13 03:33 PM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
Patlal said: The population keeps rising, we are more dependant on oil than ever, more land will be needed for farming, industry is beating its own production records every day. More houses are need, more wood, more water, more, more, more
You can make things more energy efficient but in the end, unless a great discovery is made, the natural growth of the world will always be greater than the efficiency development. I mean it's good that we try, but it seems we'll never be able to catch up with growing rate of pollution.
There is some good news though. China is planning on investing 474 billion a year on the environment. That should help but It doesn't change the fact that population will still increase.
Is this a war we can win or are we just delaying the inevitable?
Probably, It's like trying to turn an aircraft carrier around with a canoe paddle, too much momentum.
--------------------
|
Futuresight
Mind Mage



Registered: 01/19/13
Posts: 1,188
Loc: The Candy Kingdom
|
Re: Is trying to save the environment a lost cause? [Re: Patlal]
#18803775 - 09/05/13 03:33 PM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
|
|
Hmm....I am neither optimistic enough to say that we can still win, but pessimistic enough to say that we are doomed. I think we are on the crux of that possibility. At this point it is a lean in either direction that will set us on our final or not final path.
--------------------
|
psi
TOAST N' JAM


Registered: 09/05/99
Posts: 31,456
Loc: 613
|
Re: Is trying to save the environment a lost cause? [Re: Futuresight]
#18803801 - 09/05/13 03:38 PM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
|
|
IMO the most we can hope for is to make it more habitable for ourselves. It doesn't need "saving" per se, life will probably continue even if we drive ourselves extinct.
|
NetDiver
Wandering Mindfuck


Registered: 08/24/09
Posts: 6,024
Loc: Everywhere and Nowhere
Last seen: 1 year, 6 months
|
Re: Is trying to save the environment a lost cause? [Re: Futuresight] 1
#18803802 - 09/05/13 03:38 PM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
|
|
Only if everyone has the brainless "we're already fucked so let's fuck it up some more" attitude.
|
Synthe
Gatorade me, bitch!



Registered: 11/10/12
Posts: 7,961
Loc: Three bags of Funyuns
|
Re: Is trying to save the environment a lost cause? [Re: Patlal]
#18803828 - 09/05/13 03:44 PM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
|
|
We're already fucked to an extent but that's no excuse to stop caring. We gotta set an example for the next generations and hope they don't fuck up like the last few generations have
--------------------
|
zappaisgod
horrid asshole


Registered: 02/11/04
Posts: 81,741
Loc: Fractallife's gym
Last seen: 7 years, 7 months
|
Re: Is trying to save the environment a lost cause? [Re: Futuresight] 2
#18803852 - 09/05/13 03:48 PM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
|
|
We have exactly one real route to continuing our level of success as a species for a long period of time. Fusion. Everything else is bunk.
--------------------
|
Lynnch
Strangerer



Registered: 04/29/09
Posts: 7,855
|
Re: Is trying to save the environment a lost cause? [Re: Synthe]
#18803856 - 09/05/13 03:49 PM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
|
|
We've only been really fucking up for the last hundred years. We need to get out shit together and think ahead instead of just trying to make a quick buck.
|
lessismore
Registered: 02/10/13
Posts: 6,268
|
Re: Is trying to save the environment a lost cause? [Re: Lynnch]
#18803910 - 09/05/13 04:01 PM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
|
|
Change ourselves to change the world, then it's possible
or .. LSD for everyone ;-)
then there would be no abuse of nature
it's not a lost cause, nature brings happiness to everyone even those that don't realize it,they will realize it later
|
Shroomslip
Architekt



Registered: 11/25/12
Posts: 23,651
Last seen: 29 minutes, 16 seconds
|
Re: Is trying to save the environment a lost cause? [Re: Patlal]
#18803918 - 09/05/13 04:02 PM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
|
|
I think it probably is but that doesn't mean we shouldn't try.
--------------------
With my face against the floor I can’t see who knocked me out of the way. I don’t want to get back up but I have to so it might as well be today. Nothing appeals to me no one feels like me, I’m too busy being calm to disappear. I’m in no shape to be alone contrary to the shit that you might hear. You can't wake up, this is not a dream. You're part of a machine, you are not a human being With your face all made up, living on a screen. Low on self esteem, so you run on gasoline
|
circularvortex
Bass Head



Registered: 08/31/06
Posts: 12,148
Loc:
Last seen: 4 months, 30 days
|
Re: Is trying to save the environment a lost cause? [Re: Patlal]
#18803978 - 09/05/13 04:15 PM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
|
|
Nah man we're gonna figure it out.
Solar and wind power keeps getting cheaper and cheaper and more and more efficient.
We had a good 100 years of industry without considering the environment, but we're starting to come around now. Right now we have TONS of cool eco friendly shit (solar powered roads, home windmills, water filtrations etc etc etc), it's just getting it into the infrastructure that is a problem.
We'll get there, though.
-------------------- No statements made in any post or message by myself should be construed to mean that I am now, or have ever been, participating in or considering participation in any activities in violation of any local, state, federal, or fashion police laws. All posts are works of fiction. For well you know that its a fool who plays it cool By making his world a little colder. Under closer inspection I realised it was a funky ball of tits from outer space.
 
|
The5thElement
Smile Friends :)



Registered: 07/01/12
Posts: 4,675
Loc: Canada
Last seen: 7 years, 1 month
|
Re: Is trying to save the environment a lost cause? [Re: zappaisgod]
#18803988 - 09/05/13 04:17 PM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
zappaisgod said: We have exactly one real route to continuing our level of success as a species for a long period of time. Fusion. Everything else is bunk.
|
setb
10th level beer nerd
Registered: 01/30/11
Posts: 2,580
|
Re: Is trying to save the environment a lost cause? [Re: circularvortex]
#18804080 - 09/05/13 04:39 PM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
circularvortex said: Nah man we're gonna figure it out.
Solar and wind power keeps getting cheaper and cheaper and more and more efficient.
We had a good 100 years of industry without considering the environment, but we're starting to come around now. Right now we have TONS of cool eco friendly shit (solar powered roads, home windmills, water filtrations etc etc etc), it's just getting it into the infrastructure that is a problem.
We'll get there, though. 
Over half of our energy comes from coal. How are you going to replace that? You're not.
|
Amphibolos
Le bourgeois gentilhomme




Registered: 05/22/09
Posts: 626
|
Re: Is trying to save the environment a lost cause? [Re: setb]
#18804130 - 09/05/13 04:53 PM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
setb said:
Quote:
circularvortex said: Nah man we're gonna figure it out.
Solar and wind power keeps getting cheaper and cheaper and more and more efficient.
We had a good 100 years of industry without considering the environment, but we're starting to come around now. Right now we have TONS of cool eco friendly shit (solar powered roads, home windmills, water filtrations etc etc etc), it's just getting it into the infrastructure that is a problem.
We'll get there, though. 
Over half of our energy comes from coal. How are you going to replace that? You're not.
You could use the human wastes to produce biomethane and create energy in the same manner as they produce energy with coal. The difference is that you take something that is going straight into a landfill and you turn it into a valuable ressource
--------------------
"Homo sum ; humani nihil a me alienum puto"
|
twighead
mͯó



Registered: 08/27/08
Posts: 29,559
Loc: Glenn Gould's Fuck Windmill
Last seen: 43 minutes, 39 seconds
|
Re: Is trying to save the environment a lost cause? [Re: zappaisgod]
#18804145 - 09/05/13 04:56 PM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
zappaisgod said: We have exactly one real route to continuing our level of success as a species for a long period of time. Fusion. Everything else is bunk.
I don't think efficient use of tidal/geothermal/solar (2nd hand fusion..) energy is bunk, but yeah fusion is definitely the holy grail.
|
lessismore
Registered: 02/10/13
Posts: 6,268
|
Re: Is trying to save the environment a lost cause? [Re: twighead]
#18804201 - 09/05/13 05:09 PM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
twighead said:
Quote:
zappaisgod said: We have exactly one real route to continuing our level of success as a species for a long period of time. Fusion. Everything else is bunk.
I don't think efficient use of tidal/geothermal/solar (2nd hand fusion..) energy is bunk, but yeah fusion is definitely the holy grail.
I'm sure fusion will be a reality in 100 years, perhaps less
they are starting to get more energy out than they put in :-)
my friend just did his master thesis on a tokamak (the thing that confines the plasma for fusion), hopefully he will help create fusion
my energy bill is so high I hardly have any money to live for :-)
I like the idea of alternative energy sources though use less, but clean energy
same with organic foods, use less, but clean food grown with respect for the environment
Edited by lessismore (09/05/13 05:15 PM)
|
zappaisgod
horrid asshole


Registered: 02/11/04
Posts: 81,741
Loc: Fractallife's gym
Last seen: 7 years, 7 months
|
Re: Is trying to save the environment a lost cause? [Re: twighead]
#18804245 - 09/05/13 05:19 PM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
twighead said:
Quote:
zappaisgod said: We have exactly one real route to continuing our level of success as a species for a long period of time. Fusion. Everything else is bunk.
I don't think efficient use of tidal/geothermal/solar (2nd hand fusion..) energy is bunk, but yeah fusion is definitely the holy grail.
Solar has its own toxicity issues and tidal/geothermal are extremely limited
--------------------
|
twighead
mͯó



Registered: 08/27/08
Posts: 29,559
Loc: Glenn Gould's Fuck Windmill
Last seen: 43 minutes, 39 seconds
|
Re: Is trying to save the environment a lost cause? [Re: zappaisgod]
#18804275 - 09/05/13 05:26 PM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
zappaisgod said:
Quote:
twighead said:
Quote:
zappaisgod said: We have exactly one real route to continuing our level of success as a species for a long period of time. Fusion. Everything else is bunk.
I don't think efficient use of tidal/geothermal/solar (2nd hand fusion..) energy is bunk, but yeah fusion is definitely the holy grail.
Solar has its own toxicity issues and tidal/geothermal are extremely limited
In current forms yeah. But we're talking about this alongside fusion - so future is presumed, all 3 of these technologies have massive potential and tech will improve inevitably.
|
zappaisgod
horrid asshole


Registered: 02/11/04
Posts: 81,741
Loc: Fractallife's gym
Last seen: 7 years, 7 months
|
Re: Is trying to save the environment a lost cause? [Re: twighead]
#18804377 - 09/05/13 05:57 PM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
twighead said:
Quote:
zappaisgod said:
Quote:
twighead said:
Quote:
zappaisgod said: We have exactly one real route to continuing our level of success as a species for a long period of time. Fusion. Everything else is bunk.
I don't think efficient use of tidal/geothermal/solar (2nd hand fusion..) energy is bunk, but yeah fusion is definitely the holy grail.
Solar has its own toxicity issues and tidal/geothermal are extremely limited
In current forms yeah. But we're talking about this alongside fusion - so future is presumed, all 3 of these technologies have massive potential and tech will improve inevitably.
I don't really see it. Solar is useless in the North, tidal in the interior and geothermal is good for heating and cooling but not much else. We have to build our own suns or we will be fucked eventually.
--------------------
|
twighead
mͯó



Registered: 08/27/08
Posts: 29,559
Loc: Glenn Gould's Fuck Windmill
Last seen: 43 minutes, 39 seconds
|
Re: Is trying to save the environment a lost cause? [Re: zappaisgod]
#18804430 - 09/05/13 06:15 PM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
|
|
The output of top of the line geothermal sites already produce about what the top of the line fission reactors do (~1600MWe) - The setup of 1300~ MW tidal plants is already underway - and while solar is slightly lagging in scale (about 250MW plants atm) total output over the '11-'12 year increased by 60%... at that rate we'll be making a dent in things and quickly. Yeah fusion is just like - unlimited power - on our scale. But we don't have to be totally helplessly dependent on coal/dirty power up to that point.
|
|