The Climate Clock Is Ticking…
By Loren on Jan 20, 2009 in Uncategorized
The climate clock is ticking…
Assuming many of you are parents, I further assume you have uttered similar words to these that follow… turn off the lights when you leave a room. Please turn off the TV when you leave a room too. Please take shorter showers. We don’t own stock in the electric company you know.
Our kids don’t pay the bills, so the connection between a light burning in an empty room and the cost associated with it are off their radar. I’ve noticed recently when parents think they are excused from paying the bills, they act in a similar manner.
The gym where I spend most mornings is pretty state-of-the-art. Each exercise machine has its own TV attached. It’s probably overkill, but anything which helps focus my mind elsewhere while sweating is welcome. Trouble is, that lately, it’s really bugged me that people… mostly adults, old enough to have growing and grown kids, leave the TVs on when they finish. What’s up with that? Someone else pays the electric bill; so, suddenly, their own advice to their kids is forgotten? Trouble is, they ARE paying the bills. We ALL are. Most directly, I suppose, we pay it when the Club passes on its higher utility costs to the members, but we really pay it in terms of climate change. The way we live really does matter. Naysayers love to call people like me “eco-dictators” or similar, to suggest that we want to take away all the comforts of modern society so that we can dictate how others live. Oh please! Making small efforts to use less, and conserve more, does not mean doing without. A TV left on while no one watching is consuming power, but not providing any benefit. It is using electricity generated by fossil fuel and is adding to climate change.
There are similar mind sets among adults when it comes to water. When we turn on our faucets, water comes out, so it must be infinite in supply. It’s not and a very real water crisis is looming. We’ve been warned and yet a surprising number of homeowners, property managers, business owners and public agencies still allow their sprinkler systems to come on when it’s raining. Every automatic sprinkler system has a rain button. How does it make you less free to press that button when rain is coming?
If you ask most San Diegans about the number of laws we live with, they’ll say…”there are too damned many of them.” I agree. Still, when it’s documented that our present use of plastic bags is unsustainable, the message is largely ignored. The result is that more and more cities are passing shopping bag laws. Oh, sure, there are more people bringing along canvas bags on their shopping trips these days, but those people are still a small minority of shoppers.
In his inauguration speech today, President Obama called us to national service. That can mean so many things, but it surely means seeing what must be done and doing it. Maybe it means consuming less, but it absolutely means using only what we need and wasting less.
NASA Climate scientist, Jim Hansen, warned this week that we may only have four years left to begin reversing climate change. If we fail to act decisively, and soon, the damage may be irreversible. The consequences in his words are dire, ranging from flooding of the eastern seaboard, increased desertification of other areas, to increased famine, war and disease.
I believe he’s right, and still I accept that many of you are skeptical. Still, with so many bright well intentioned and well studied scientists saying there is a climate problem, why not look for ways to reduce your carbon output, or at least practice what you preach and turn off the lights and TV when they are only illuminating and entertaining an empty room?
There I go again, spouting that liberal crap! Let me know why I’m wrong. Is using more than we need our right as Americans? Please share your thoughts, concerns and, if possible, your solutions.
Thanks for tuning in, logging on and speaking up!
Loren Nancarrow
Why is all the focus on the plastic bags we use in the grocery stores….what about ALL the stores we shop in and oh yes…our home dlvy newspapers are dlvd in what?
I agree with tonite’s comment on really NEEDING your help “keeping someone else’s dang cats out of our gardens.” I tried your tip of leaving thorny rose stocks in the dirt….doesn’t work. I’ve sprinkled with repellant, scattered moth balls…doesn’t work. I just spent my wkend putting chicken wire in the dirt around all of my bushes..does it work? I’ll let you know.
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Kathi | Jan 21, 2009
Hi Loren,
I agree that we should conserve water. I have a problem with automatic flushing toilets. I have had toilets flush as many as 3 times while I am in the stall. The airport is one example. I don’t know why we need them. Are we so lazy that we can’t flush the toilet ourselves? Just think how many gallons of water we could save without these toilets.
I am looking forware to your take on this.
Thanks for reading this.
Maria
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Maria Beers | Jan 21, 2009
Yeah, “with so many bright well intentioned and well studied scientists saying there is a climate problem”…and what about the ones they say this is bunk? How about the fact that many of the UN scientists that signed on to the global warming report are now retracting their support? Four years is all we have left? Right. And, as far as Hansen over at NASA, he is about as big a whack job as Gore. Both have been proven to be liars using faulty data and twisting the numbers to fit their argument. Fact is, the last 10 years the earth has been COOLING, not warming. When will you guys stop this big lie?
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Marty | Jan 21, 2009
I agree! Its time that everybody, man, women, and children take climate change seriously.
I bring my own shopping bags to the grocery store, but most people don’t. I’ve also constantly grabbed shopping bags, blowing in the wind towards our ocean. Its time for the city to have the guts to pass a law, banning these wasteful bags and requiring consumers to bring their own canvas bags to the grocery store.
Thanks again, Loren, for educating our fellow San Diegans about their personal power to change their own behavior and help save the planet.
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Howard Knudsen | Jan 22, 2009
Hi Loren
I love listening to your blogs and sometimes can’t believe some of the comments made by skeptics. I agree with your comments about no plastic bags. Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods have paper bags why not everyone else,it’s not the best but better than plastic? But even better most places sell reusable bags. I have several and I do even bring them with me to the mall. I get many responses when I pull them out- from” WOW! this is great.” To the cashier just handing me my stuff with a huff causing me to pack the bag myself. Which I find funny- if I used the plastic one then I get full service?? I don’t get it. You try to help the Earth… and it’s easy the bags are only $1.00 at most places and some are even small ones that will fit into a purse. Humans need to start giving back to the Earth not just taking from it! Follow the Native Americans or even European countries that only use what they need. Thanks and keep up the good word on educating people!
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Kerry | Jan 22, 2009
Remember the early 1980’s when plastic bags were going to save the planet because we wouldn’t be cutting down trees to make paper bags? Let’s do some homework before we propagate fads:
http://www.reusablebags.com/facts.php?id=7
http://www.reason.org/commenta.....0417.shtml
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Fritz | Jan 22, 2009
I prefer to use plastic bags weekly and do not feel ashamed of my actions. Many store such as Von’s Ralph’s, and Henry’s provide bins at the entrance, for consumers to return these plastic bags at their convenience. Unless, these bins are no longer available for recycling purposes I will continue to use plastic bags for my shopping purposes.
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Shannon | Jan 22, 2009
The issue of global warming and climate change is controversial. Each side evokes the hallowed authority of scientists, saying that the majority is on their side. But shouldn’t we be scientific about the scientists? Does anyone have any reasonably good data from well-done studies of scientists to see just how many of them are on either side of this issue? If someone has this information I would be very grateful if they would share it with me. Meanwhile, it seems to me that, in the face of uncertainty, and with such catastrophic consequences possible, the so-called “precautionary principle” is the more moral way to go. Although I have tipped my hand here, I am willing to listen to someone who can produce good data and sound arguments.
The Ecological Problem (I prefer this phrase over “ecological crisis”) includes not just climate issues but also an array of problems concerning consumption of resources, pollution, economics, and distributive justice. Ecological footprint analysis shows that it would take about 12 earths to support all 6.8 billion people on earth if they were living at the standard of living of the average American today. This means that we Americans are taking more than our share of the earth’s resources and that our lifestyle (standard of living) as currently constituted is unsustainable. As “developing nations” such as China, India, Brazil, and others, catch up to us in their standards of living, the Ecological Problem is likely to deepen.
The obvious question that issues from this and that underlies this discussion is: Can we address The Ecological Problem without a contraction in our standard of living and a substantial attenuation of our lifestyle? Or, to borrow words from E. F. Schumacher: Is small really beautiful? I have raised this question on this blog before and no one seems willing to talk about it. Perhaps it is too threatening, but this is all the more reason to talk about it. It is a complex question to be sure, but it is a very important one that is central to our response to the Ecological Problem and to our understanding of what life is really all about – that is, what do we mean by phrases such as “standard of living,” “the good life,” and “the American dream”?
If a contraction in standard of living is required, it will probably have to be forced upon us. People do not, in general, willingly give up power and wealth. Besides the occasional saint and a small minority of people who will behave differently for religious or moral reasons, the material behavior of the vast majority of us is governed by self-interest and circumstances (the market, the government, or chance). Thus, for example, if we do not conserve water voluntarily (which is, in effect, a slight reduction in standard of living), we may be forced to conserve – either by rising prices or by law. Even if such a discussion does not issue in changed behavior, I think it is worth having, if nothing else, to prepare us for the forced change when (if?) it does come.
Finally, whether people turn the TV off when they finish on the treadmill at the fitness center is, I suggest, not the fundamental question. Ironically, we Americans expend huge amounts of energy to save labor, then we expend huge amounts of energy to expend labor. Do we not see the absurdity in this? We have all kinds of labor saving devices so we do not have to exert ourselves, then we build treadmills with TVs on them and all kinds of energy-using machines so we can do the exercise that all our energy-using, labor-saving devices saved us. Similarly, we develop extensive technology to produce and market excess food to ourselves to the point that 2/3 of us is overweight or obese. Then we develop even more technology (diet schemes, drugs, and bariatric surgery) to try to deal with the excess fat. We heap technology upon technology. Where is Wendell Berry when we need him?
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John Mustol | Jan 23, 2009
I believe most of us have some weak points where we would rather complain do something about it.
For example, I take way too long to shower. Should there be a device that makes the water run cold after 3 minutes, in order to prevent such laziness?
Actually, the better solution is to take quicker showers. No technology, no denialism needed. Just hardcore discipline. End of story.
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In response, on January 25, 2009, Brian Chow said:
First sentence should read:
I believe most of us have some weak points where we would rather complain than do something about it.
Brian Chow | Jan 25, 2009
Loren; OH PLEASE! I remember a few years ago that we HAD to switch to Plastic bags from paper bags so help save the environment. We were told that the plastic bags used would break down rapidly, and would help save the landfills.
Now someone has said that they the plastic bags will take 2000 years to break down.
The folks that put out information need to get things figured out. First of all were is the science on this and second of all I have seen the plastic bags break down in matter of few days to a couple of weeks.
On a personal note, I use the paper bags to store the recyclables in, and if the bag isn’t wet I reuse it several times. To me this just makes more since.
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Ron | Jan 26, 2009
Many low income people (many of us on Social IN-Security) use these plastic grocery bags for taking out their garbage. I wonder what the disposal companies are going to say when people use plastic buckets to take their garbage to the dumpsters and dump it in loose. Many people cannot afford the heavier garbage bags - which BTW last MUCH longer in landfills. What is the REAL reason behind this campaign.
I do NOT use a garbage disposal because it wastes a LOT of water - nor do I use a dishwasher for the same reason. Water saving? Let’s start with the basics.
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Willaim Eade | Jan 26, 2009
Lauren,
I agree that some laws dictating behavior may be required in order to change people’s habits. But I think limitations on prohibitions should also be considered. For example, California has statutes that limit HOA restrictions on solar collectors. My HOA (4S Ranch) initially tried to enforce illegal CC&Rs against homeowners until it was threatend with a lawsuit. We need a lot more laws like the solar initiatives!
4S Ranch and other HOAs currently require landscaping that is not always environmentally friendly. We replaced all the builder-provided lawn in our front yard with shrubs, perrenials, ground cover, mulch and drip irrigation. For the sake of “uniformity,” however, we were required to restore the parkway area (between the sidewalk and the street) with grass. There are many other restrictions that don’t make sense from an environmental standpoint - prohibitions on clotheslines and limitations on the amount of gravel that can be included in landscape.
I think we could do a lot better by passing laws that prevent HOAs from enforcing environmentally unfriendly restrictions. While such laws would not mandate individuals to do the right thing, they would at least permit those who wish, to do so.
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Jane | Jan 27, 2009
I’d rather not have laws dictating behavior. Instead, remembering the old adage that “you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar”, why not give people 25 cents off their grocery bill for bringing a canvas bag instead of their using plastic bags?
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Steve McNeil | Jan 27, 2009
Hi Loren,
I am a member of the S.D. Surfrider Organization and I belong to a group they sponsor called Rise Above Plastics. I also attend, when I can, Encinitas Environmental Committe meetings to help work on the Plastic/Paper bag reduction/elimination plan. Both groups are working dilegently to first educate the public on the environmental, health, and economical effects of plastic and paper bags. There is a lot of valid research on the subject. The city of Encinitas will be hosting another event to help educate the public and community in the near future. Both groups have recently held many educational events where citizens receive free canvas bags. Surfrider has had booths in which children young and old decorate canvas bags and keep them. They are targeting street fairs. Most of these canvas bags have been donated by merchants, large supermarket chains, and concerned citizens to name a few. In our research most small and large stores in Encinitas want the public to use recycleable bags. They are willing to help make this happen. Nobody wants there to be a law and people are willing to do everything they can to prevent this like providing incentives. I have seen ideas like 5 cents off for each reuseable bag and many stores sell bags at cost. I still only see a minority participating in the use of reuseable bags at these places of business. If a community does not do what it needs to in order to protect the wellfare of their own health, the planet, and the economy than rules can help. The consequences of using reusable bags is really positive and the results will enhance our lives more than most of us can imagine. We all love the consequences of no smoking in restraunts, at the beach, and in places of business. We are so much better for it.
People ask why plastic/paper bags there are so many things we need to change to create a better life for us all. As a country we voted for change. In his speeches President Obama has been trying to instill personal responsibility into each of us to help create the changes we need. We need to make a shift in how we think. As a school nurse I see teachers encouraging children to think outside of the box. In this case we need to think outside of the plastic/paper bag. If we can shift this behavior it will not be as difficult to shift other behaviors like decreasing our use of water, toxic chemicals etc… For example so many people ask what will I use to pick up my pets waste? You can use old magazines, newspapers, etc. to pick it up. We still have bags from chips, tortillas, bread etc. wrap it in that. If you are like me, I only used cloth diapers on my kids, I place the paper wrapped waste in a washable stuff sack. I have two big dogs and have not had spillage onto the bag yet. There are so many options we just need to shift our attitudes toward creativity, responsibility, and finally change. I know it is not easy for most of us but, believe it or not if you see it as a challenge, it can be fun.
Loren I think you would enjoy coming to the Encinitas Environmental Committee, so many citizens are doing so many great things. Also, during the summer the Del Mar Fair displays children’s art given to them by the local schools. This year the theme is Music. There will be a category called Music is My Bag. Students can decorate canvas bags at school and there teachers can enter them into the fair. Each student who enters a piece of art via there school, gets a free ticket to the fair. Way to go Del Mar Fair. Best Regards, Shelly Kwik
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Michelle Kwik | Jan 27, 2009
The greatest incentive to stop someone doing something is to Charge them for it.
Over 20 years ago, before I came to live here from England, all Supermarkets were charging about 2 or 3 cents per plastic bag and that changed people’s habit’s OVERNIGHT !
Having to PAY for something and especially at the Grocery store when most people are searching the aisles to SAVE money, spending extra for plastic bags will soon change habits.
After that SO MANY people made sure they brought bags with them to the store.
Easy solution and no new law needed
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