Climate Change--fix it (1 Viewer)

[jm192]

I think we've got some lively, productive conversation by both sides in the Health care thread.  I think I know a lot about health care.  But I honestly don't know a lot about climate change.  And I'm betting some of you do.  

I'd PREFER if this didn't become a Trump Bad, Biden Bad thing.  

How do we reverse course?  What are actual solutions?  

 

[joffer]

https://citizensclimatelobby.org/basics-carbon-fee-dividend/ in conjunction with ending ALL energy subsidies

 

[jm192]

https://citizensclimatelobby.org/basics-carbon-fee-dividend/ in conjunction with ending ALL energy subsidies

It would seem to me that this would lead to pretty substantial increases in electric bills and gas prices.  And while giving dividends to the people sounds great--if the dividend I get is 1500, and my Electricity+Gasoline goes up 2,000$---I would see this as hard on a lot of Americans.  

Even with the dividend, taxing energy companies is going to get passed onto the American people.  

Or am I missing something?

 

[Kal El]

Alternative energy is likely the way to go, but the biggest problems are efficiency and storage of the energy. Climate wise, I think getting the plastics out of the oceans and the land is a key issue as well.

 

[jon_mx]

We need to bring back subsidies for electric cars, and extend subsidies for solar and wind which are set to expire in 2021.  We need to start building nuclear plants.  We need more incentives for new constructions to utilize green energy.  We need to fund for research.  It is not a problem which can be fixed overnight with outrageous mandates and trying to replace existing stuff.  You do it by concentrating on cost-effective new projects.   

 

[IvanKaramazov]

Carbon tax, probably with an accompanying rebate.

Subsidies for renewables.

R&D.

Nuclear.

We know what to do, and we've known for a long time.

 

[The General]

Modern day Manhattan Project style determination to advance solar, wInd, etc.

 

[Godsbrother]

I think acceptance by all that matter that there is such a thing as climate change and man's actions do make an impact would be a great first step.

 

[joffer]

It would seem to me that this would lead to pretty substantial increases in electric bills and gas prices.  And while giving dividends to the people sounds great--if the dividend I get is 1500, and my Electricity+Gasoline goes up 2,000$---I would see this as hard on a lot of Americans.  

Even with the dividend, taxing energy companies is going to get passed onto the American people.  

Or am I missing something?

REMI did a study on the effects. Leaving for golf now will look for it later.  And yes, assume 100% of the increase is passed on to the consumer. $15 per ton of CO2 equates to $0.15 at the pump.

 

[fatguyinalittlecoat]

In addition to all the above, the world needs to embark on a major reforestation initiative.   

 

[whoknew]

In addition to all the above, the world needs to embark on a major reforestation initiative.   

How would that work? I am not being snarky - this is the first I've heard of this idea. Just plant lots and lots of trees on any vacant land? 

How much vacant land is suitable for reforestation that is not being used for farming or some other human reason?

 

[fatguyinalittlecoat]

How would that work? I am not being snarky - this is the first I've heard of this idea. Just plant lots and lots of trees on any vacant land? 

How much vacant land is suitable for reforestation that is not being used for farming or some other human reason?

I'm by no means an expert but have heard experts say it could be huge.  Here's one article that came up from google, there are many more:  WaPo article on planting trees

 

[wikkidpissah]

horse is out da barn

 

[jm192]

horse is out da barn

So we need a lasso.

 

[whoknew]

I'm by no means an expert but have heard experts say it could be huge.  Here's one article that came up from google, there are many more:  WaPo article on planting trees

Thanks. Its just something I never thought of but a really good idea.

My nephew just did this on a small scale for his Eagle project. I didn't realize it, but I guess he's like the male, Michigan Greta Thunberg.

 

[wikkidpissah]

So we need a lasso.

barn door closed sometime in the early 90s. that pony is a great-great-great-great grandfather now

we should be as absolutely responsible as we can w pollution, as always, but every penny spent on urgent measures against global warming is money wasted. i'm an ol' hippie, started the recycling center in my home town, helped on three river reclamation projects and was an organizer for the No Nukes concert, so i know we can matter. not on this - 

 

[beef]

How do we reverse course?  My thoughts:  First step, accept the possibility that it is real.  A lot of folks are well beyond that step, but there enough that aren't so I don't see the votes in congress to take on any possible solutions.  

 

[joffer]

REMI did a study on the effects. Leaving for golf now will look for it later.  And yes, assume 100% of the increase is passed on to the consumer. $15 per ton of CO2 equates to $0.15 at the pump.

found it https://11bup83sxdss1xze1i3lpol4-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/The-Economic-Climate-Fiscal-Power-and-Demographic-Impact-of-a-National-Fee-and-Dividend-Carbon-Tax-5.25.18.pdf

they probably need to do an updated one.  and i've never been able to figure out if the dividend is taxable income.

basically the bigger your carbon footprint, the more you would be affected financially, and i'm ok with that.  kind of the point.

 

[NutterButter]

Stop burning fossil fuels.   Boom.  Fixed.  Better yet, kill off the human race.

 

[Snorkelson]

It would seem to me that this would lead to pretty substantial increases in electric bills and gas prices.  And while giving dividends to the people sounds great--if the dividend I get is 1500, and my Electricity+Gasoline goes up 2,000$---I would see this as hard on a lot of Americans.  

Even with the dividend, taxing energy companies is going to get passed onto the American people.  

Or am I missing something?

Life is going to be impacted one way or another. We need to take steps to soften that blow. Some people may not like the way solar and wind farms look, but we can’t dismiss those forms of renewable energy until something more aesthetically pleasing comes around. 
There are two things that would have an enormous and lasting legacy for any future presidents that like fantasy football and are reading this- a massive infrastructure spending package, and a massive renewable energy spending package, tied to one another- with a focus on mass transit wrapped in as well.  Both would have a lasting impact on the nation for the better.

 

[Snorkelson]

barn door closed sometime in the early 90s. that pony is a great-great-great-great grandfather now

we should be as absolutely responsible as we can w pollution, as always, but every penny spent on urgent measures against global warming is money wasted. i'm an ol' hippie, started the recycling center in my home town, helped on three river reclamation projects and was an organizer for the No Nukes concert, so i know we can matter. not on this - 

I agree with this, we are past the event horizon, but we can still slow it down and give us time to adapt. We should be preparing for rising sea levels regardless of whether the temperature rise is man made or natural fluctuation of earth temps. 

 

[wikkidpissah]

I agree with this, we are past the event horizon, but we can still slow it down and give us time to adapt. We should be preparing for rising sea levels regardless of whether the temperature rise is man made or natural fluctuation of earth temps. 

absolutely. the world we get to enjoy was made for us by the work of people & industries whose entire raison d'etre was being ahead of the curve. you dont surmount the natural forces of the earth reactively. planning, anticipation, madhard work & madgood cooperation is how its done. ever since the business needle moved from the research to the marketing side, however, we've been losing purchase on most of our problems. we are certainly not going to beat a perfect storm like global warming - the apogee of our warmth cycle AND carbon footprint at once - with the current tepid & tainted approach to problem-solving

 

[Terminalxylem]

Embrace nuclear energy.

Reduce meat consumption.

Get China and India on board to cut carbon emissions.

 

[Stealthycat]

the United States could become ZERO pollutants and ZERO emissions nation .. and the rest of the world would continue to trash the planet

look, a few thousand years ago there were glaciers in the lower 48 ... climate changed, and things got way warmer and they melted

in the 1400's there was a mini-ice age in Europe on record that lasted for decades

this planet cycles - it does ... now, I'm all about being cleaner, less pollutants etc