Fri Dec 07, 2018 8:28 am
#1656105
I'm sure that's true -but....
Ultimately we all can do what we can do.
I live a lifestyle where I *need* a car, and *want* to go flying. I can *choose* to do both in a reasonably energy and emissions efficient manner. I can also do things like ensure my home and workplace are energy efficient, minimise food waste and make sure what can't be used gets recycled or composted - not sent to landfill. I can think hard about what charities I support and try to use ones that benefit the planet - however I elect to define that, in a good way.
My actions won't save the world - but multiplied by 60 million people Britain can make a small but noticeable difference, and set an example for the rest of the world. Bring enough countries "into the fold" and the world and human race have a fighting chance.
*If* enough of us try.
My reading of the situation is that both the USA and China, often maligned, are actually trying pretty hard. That the US president and a *proportion* of his electorate don't care, doesn't actually change that a large proportion of Americans do care, and their regional governments do care - and so the USA is well on its way to being compliant with Paris and other treaties. And its actual compliance (better still, exceedence) that really matters - not whether one bloke in the a big white building in DC actually signs a treaty or not.
I think that the Chinese are steadily catching up, mostly because they see it as eventually giving them significant advantage over the Americans.
G
I am Spartacus, and so is my co-pilot.