Environmental crisis forging strange bedfellows

[Vance]

New partnerships bridging the boundaries between religion and science must be forged if the world is to avoid ecological collapse because of pollution and human interference, says a University of Toronto professor.
"More and more people are realizing that the situation is now so grave that we have to reach out to communities other than just the scientists and environmentalists," says Stephen Scharper, a professor of environmental studies at U of T's Innis College and anthropology at U of T at Mississauga. "For example, renowned environmentalist David Suzuki is now reaching out primarily to religious communities and the business world as his new target audiences."

In fact, Scharper continues, Republican Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the House in Washington has admitted publicly that one of his biggest blunders was not understanding the opposition to his administration's planned rollback of environmental safeguards by the rank and file religious members of his own party.

"Today, many of these same religious yet ecology-minded Republicans are involved in a campaign against gas-guzzling SUVs, asking Americans, 'What Would Jesus Drive?' in an attempt to get consumers into more ecologically sensitive cars," says Scharper, maintaining that this shows that, "both scientists and theologians are bridging the boundaries of science and religion when it comes to the environmental crisis."

Scharper will deliver a lecture of his views at the Walter Gordon Massey Symposium at the Isabel Bader Theatre, Victoria College, U of T, on March 16. The entire text of his research, which was financed in part by a grant from the Connaught Foundation, will be published later in the year by Massey College at U of T.

Source: http://www.utoronto.ca/


I must admit that I almost have a heart attack when I read this statement: many of these same religious yet ecology-minded Republicans are involved in a campaign against gas-guzzling SUVs, asking Americans, 'What Would Jesus Drive?' in an attempt to get consumers into more ecologically sensitive cars," says Scharper, maintaining that this shows that, "both scientists and theologians are bridging the boundaries of science and religion when it comes to the environmental crisis."

Almost.

 

[diehardbiker]

I watched th channel, I think it was The Learning Channel or something like that. After watching one of eposide, my jaw dropped and realize that everybody here is so hyperfocus on vehicle emission and forgot the real problem with greenhouse effect! Automobile emission only create just small fraction of the greenhouse gases. Abolishing SUV won't solve the real problem. Its the Nature that is also causing problem too!!! Know what it is? The answer is the forestry fires! They produce VASTLY amount of green house gases. Problem here is that for the last 150 years, forest fire were under surpression and strictly controlled. Over these years, where there is cycle that leaves fall onto the ground. This accumulate alot of carbon, because there wasn't a fire for long time to clear this up then one lightning bolt hit a tree with ground very rich with carbon, it spreads out very quickly and it sends alot of Carbon up into the sky, creating greenhouse effect. Nobody realizes this because you don't generally live near the area where there huge forest fires. The test were done with scientist in controlled area in Alaska. They have picked right place, and time knowing that fire can get back in control. They have done test and discovered the real problem with forest fire. Image, soil with about 12 inches deep thats very rich in carbon... Thats the real threat.
To be frankly, I don't see real solution to the problem. Of couse there is, but we all MUST give up EVERYTHING... can we do that? I doubt it! Converting to electric cars only creates power plant to produce more pollutions, and that batteries don't last forever, up to 5 years. What do you think would happen later with bunch of used batteries full of chemicals? I wouldn't want to think of this. Hybrid cars, I don't think its good solutuion because of batteries as part of the car...

You can rant, and protest all you want. You forgot where is the REAL solution is? We don't have one yet!

New partnerships bridging the boundaries between religion and science must be forged if the world is to avoid ecological collapse because of pollution and human interference, says a University of Toronto professor.
"More and more people are realizing that the situation is now so grave that we have to reach out to communities other than just the scientists and environmentalists," says Stephen Scharper, a professor of environmental studies at U of T's Innis College and anthropology at U of T at Mississauga. "For example, renowned environmentalist David Suzuki is now reaching out primarily to religious communities and the business world as his new target audiences."

In fact, Scharper continues, Republican Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the House in Washington has admitted publicly that one of his biggest blunders was not understanding the opposition to his administration's planned rollback of environmental safeguards by the rank and file religious members of his own party.

"Today, many of these same religious yet ecology-minded Republicans are involved in a campaign against gas-guzzling SUVs, asking Americans, 'What Would Jesus Drive?' in an attempt to get consumers into more ecologically sensitive cars," says Scharper, maintaining that this shows that, "both scientists and theologians are bridging the boundaries of science and religion when it comes to the environmental crisis."

Scharper will deliver a lecture of his views at the Walter Gordon Massey Symposium at the Isabel Bader Theatre, Victoria College, U of T, on March 16. The entire text of his research, which was financed in part by a grant from the Connaught Foundation, will be published later in the year by Massey College at U of T.

Source: http://www.utoronto.ca/


I must admit that I almost have a heart attack when I read this statement: many of these same religious yet ecology-minded Republicans are involved in a campaign against gas-guzzling SUVs, asking Americans, 'What Would Jesus Drive?' in an attempt to get consumers into more ecologically sensitive cars," says Scharper, maintaining that this shows that, "both scientists and theologians are bridging the boundaries of science and religion when it comes to the environmental crisis."

Almost.

 

[Vance]

You forgot where is the REAL solution is? We don't have one yet!

We already have the solutions that which will fix/repair many problems but you forget the biggest problem, know what it is? Industries and Corporations. They are the one who REFUSED to change, not us. They shoved the millions and billions of dollars down these powerful lobbies and their pockets and order them to give the governments and THE PEOPLE, a flipping the bird. And I dunno about you but many freethinkers-scientists and other millions of people already aren't hyper-focusing on SUV problem. They already aren't... it was Industries and Corporations who are hyper-focusing on one thing, know what it is? Profits.

So yeah, you can rant and protest all you want, people kept forgetting this biggest problem in America.

 

[diehardbiker]

If there is no profit, then we won't be bringing home paychecks! How do we going to go on living if there is no profits going on? Somewhere, somebody gotta to pay somehow.
You could shut down alot of factories, but know how many will be affected? MILLIONS, MILLIONS, MILLIONS who work for factory who have families to support. Just think about the cause and effect.
Like I said, there is no easy solution.

We already have the solutions that which will fix/repair many problems but you forget the biggest problem, know what it is? Industries and Corporations. They are the one who REFUSED to change, not us. They shoved the millions and billions of dollars down these powerful lobbies and their pockets and order them to give the governments and THE PEOPLE, a flipping the bird. And I dunno about you but many freethinkers-scientists and other millions of people already aren't hyper-focusing on SUV problem. They already aren't... it was Industries and Corporations who are hyper-focusing on one thing, know what it is? Profits.

So yeah, you can rant and protest all you want, people kept forgetting this biggest problem in America.

 

[diehardbiker]

Pittsburgh native

I have seen how much it has affected Pittsbugh, PA. Before 1970, Pittsburgh, PA was once a real IRON CITY! You won't believe how much they have polluted the sky! It was unreal, they too dump alot of waste in these three rivers for years. At the time, there was 28 Steel mills going. Today, Sky were clear, River finally became clean and clear. That is because 26 steel companies gone out of business or going overseas. Hundred thousand of the ironworker lost their jobs, struggling to support their families. Even today, you won't see good job available in Pittsburgh like it was. Now, that alot of jobs were exporting to China. All because Chinese don't give damn about slave labor, and air quality. Alot of American lost their jobs. Is it working? I don't think so.

 

[Vance]

If there is no profit, then we won't be bringing home paychecks! How do we going to go on living if there is no profits going on? Somewhere, somebody gotta to pay somehow.
You could shut down alot of factories, but know how many will be affected? MILLIONS, MILLIONS, MILLIONS who work for factory who have families to support. Just think about the cause and effect.
Like I said, there is no easy solution.

Several countries already did and their economy is either stable or boosting. People don't have to close these factories down, change the environment-friendly methods how to run the factories and such. Sweden and England are the ones of these countries and I lend my congrats toward them for not letting the Corporations & Industries control over their life unlike America. Yes, they still have the long way to clean up the mess but at least they started or develop the common sense which helped them realized the biggest problem.

Any kind of solution is never easy but all it needs to solve this problem: It requires many of us to change. As long as pattern behavior among in Americans (refuse to change), we cannot solve the problems so yeah you are right that there is no easy solution because of this pattern behavior.

 

[Vance]

I have seen how much it has affected Pittsbugh, PA. Before 1970, Pittsburgh, PA was once a real IRON CITY! You won't believe how much they have polluted the sky! It was unreal, they too dump alot of waste in these three rivers for years. At the time, there was 28 Steel mills going. Today, Sky were clear, River finally became clean and clear. That is because 26 steel companies gone out of business or going overseas. Hundred thousand of the ironworker lost their jobs, struggling to support their families. Even today, you won't see good job available in Pittsburgh like it was. Now, that alot of jobs were exporting to China. All because Chinese don't give damn about slave labor, and air quality. Alot of American lost their jobs. Is it working? I don't think so.

Wow, you still didn't realize the problem and the solution in that. It is just like allow us to pee in our children's mouth.

 

[Vance]

For example of what Scandinavians did: http://agnews.tamu.edu/dailynews/stories/FRSC/Mar1405a.htm

That's what common sense means. They change the method and they still have the jobs. All it requires the rat's brain to think up the solution. It is not hard, this pattern behavior among in Americans make everything harder for themselves.

Edit: I want to add right after reread one of your posts. you mentioned in your post: Just think about the cause and effect.

It is very irony that you didn't bother to give a thought about environmental impactions or consequences by non-environment-friendly factories and their hazard chemicals. If we want to discuss about the cause and effect then be sure to give a thought about environmental impaction from non-environment-friendly factories which I already did by giving you one of many examples of what Scandinavians did about jobs and profits.

 

[Reba]

"...True, burning the residue emits carbon dioxide..."

So how is that better than burning coal or gas?

What kind of heavy industry does Scandinavia have? I think they have ship builders, but what are their other heavy industries?

I thought England has high unemployment due to lack of industry.

 

[Vance]

So how is that better than burning coal or gas?

Based on source? Source itself can make the bigger difference in science observation.

I thought England has high unemployment due to lack of industry.

From what I understand when I read the magazine sometimes ago, it was computer jobs. China opened the gate and England along with America dived into China to make the profits with 25 - 75 cents per hour labors with almost virtually no worker rights for poor chineses to work in their industries. That kind of thing is the wet dream for industries.

But I welcome anyone to correct my mistakes if there is any. I don't have enough information about England and their 'history'. I have been researching the information on Sweden and others such as Norway, Finland and Denmark, not England or others. I still have a long, long way to learn more about Sweden and others.