BellaOnline Forums Relationships Married No Kids may be of interest - global warming

Might be of interest - I heard a really interesting radio piece about climate change while driving today - the first "mainstream" mention I have personally heard where it's stated that having kids contributes to global climate change. The segment was not primarily about that, but it was mentioned towards the end.

There were some revolutionary ideas in here that made alot of sense to me - for example, we need a economic change comparable to stone age --> agricultural, because our economy depends on fossil fuel power ... and that the illusion that the little things we do (changing to more fuel efficient light bulbs) have a big effect could actually dilute the energy & commitment we need to push for a fundamental change that will truly make a difference. The guest interviewed is not a supporter of Kyoto, for example.

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Amen, Andie. Overpopulation is by far our largest environmental problem. Even though we don't perceive the West as being the most overpopulated (everyone likes to point to Africa and the many people there who have 10 or 15 children), we're the bigest problem, due to our consumption per capita.

I am increasingly thinking about the "eat local" thing as being extremely important. I heard on NPR recently that more than half of our fossil fuel consumption is used to truck food more than 1500 miles from its source to its destination.

I love the bumper sticker "Support Your Local Farmer, or Watch the Houses Grow". I had always thought about it as a way of preserving open farm land (as opposed to watching subdivisions --- or, as I prefer to call them, "blights" --- be built). But apparently, in terms of environmental impact, the "eat local" thing might be an even bigger issue.

Gotta get one of them and put it next to my "Overpopulation: How Dense Can We Get?" bumpersticker!

"Overpopulation: How Dense Can We Get?"

I love it! Where did you find that?

That's a really great point to consider - that consumption alone is a good reason to watch US population.

I do think a fundamental change is needed, but I feel it's also important to take the little steps. The fundamental changes that are needed are so large and can seem so overwhelming to one person that it's good to get people started taking the actions they can, while putting pressure on our governments to make the greater changes that many of us support. Otherwise, people who care may feel helpless and do nothing!

I read from one of our local activist groups that the livestock industry accounts for more climate changing effects than the transportation industry. I've been vegetarian for about 14 years. We also have a great Farmer's Market and CSA programs in my town to support local agriculture.

If people actually see what goes on in those factory farms, they'd go local, organic, and co-op!

Anyone who thinks the US is not overpopulated should go hang out in L.A. for a few days, like I just did! The traffic is getting much worse. Even my diehard LA-loving relatives are admitting it's becoming unbearable. You just wonder how long it can go on before people start finding ways to stay home, but they just keep flocking to the freeways.

Love the bumper sticker Bonsai!

(whew! Glad to be home!)

Thanks, Myrabeth. Not only are they great (I also love my "Fewer Humans --- More Humanity" bumpersticker!)...they're FREE!

If you send a SASE to this guy Ted, he'll send you back bumperstickers! Of course, a small extra donation is always appreciated by him, just to support his work.

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I like that slogan, too. It speaks to how dense the idiots are that keep thoughtlessly reproducing.

There are some good slogans/bumper stickers on this site, but I'm not sure if you can order them. They are pretty witty.

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I agree wholeheartedly with this. The added bonus of getting people to make small changes is that it helps bring people around to the idea that climate change is a real issue, and things need to be done about it, including individual lifestyle changes. Might make the big changes easier on people down the road if they're already thinking this way.

While the environment is certainly not my only reason for leaning towards CF, it's definitely one of them. Even little babies in the US seem to need so much *stuff*! Much of which you wouldn't be able to avoid buying... car seats, strollers, etc. And that's even before they're able to make their own purchases!

I also agree about eating local and in season. I'm trying to go to the farmer's market more often- I'm lucky- since we live in an area with some of the best farmland in the world, we have a great selection of local produce.

""Fewer Humans --- More Humanity" I LOVE that and agree with it!

(E.g. overpopulation can increase crime.)

Now, people, let's do some maths here OK?
It's not just us having a kid. But then they have a kid and THEY have a kid and so on and so on all consuming!
So...!

And just to add to the problem ... my "bathroom reading" is a magazine called NewScientist - it uses language that is pretty accessible as it covers what is going on in the world of science. This article was looking at technology that is accessible today, as well as things that are being researched with alot of funds and determination, and how that will affect the future.

It is likely that average lifespan will increase from teh current age of about 80 years (North America & Western Europe) to about 110 years. (no mention of overpopulation as a concern in this article). And those are expected to be relatively healthy as breakthroughs for diseases etc. are anticipated.

Also drugs & therapies designed to help the ill, like those w/ Alzheimers', are likely to be attractive to and eventually accepted into the mainstream - there's one drug in particular that increases wakefulness & memory and gives healthy volunteers an enormous advantage on intelligence tests. (can you hear the next generation of kids whining "but mom, how will I get into Harvard if all my friends get the drug and you dont' get it for me??") Parallels for this kind of thing include IVF, once developed to help those struggling with infertility to have kids (which can be an ethical debate on its own) and which is now allowing sex selection and screening for known disease-causing genes ... how long will it be until there's screening for genes affecting other things? mind you many genes can affect things like being lean, or tall, blond, or blue-eyed ... but the foundations are being built).

Just as I'm feeling squeamish about all of this, I run across the following:

"even technologies that seem morally questionable at first soon become soically acceptable ...int he 1960's many US states outlawed the contraceptive pill for fear that it would be too socially disruptive ...."

Yikes. That last comment seems like it would fit well into another thread on here about society, biology & women's role.

Kind of scary.

This is from the 13 May 2006 issue - I believe there's a website but with limited access, if you're interested in more.