gunnut,
that's a pretty good observation. i think to this i should like to add, though-We should conserve for conservation's sake, rather than conserve to save the planet.
The planet doesn't care about increased temperature. It's not going anywhere. It'll find a way to not blow up due to some human activities.
What we absolutely shouldn't do is to commit to drastic actions that alter our lifestyles.
so far we have not really proved that human activity contributes to climate change, but neither have we disproved it, either. in any case, i think the environmentalists would do better focusing on aspects of human activity that DO have a very direct, measurable change in the environment, such as air/water pollution. why vilify CO2 when far more deadly carcinogenic chemicals heighten incidences of asthma and cancer?
i think what humans CAN do is find mutually beneficial activities that both promote environmentalism and free-market principles. for example, raising efficiency makes energy production (among other things) cleaner, but also raises the bottom line. developing cleaner and lighter jet engine frames certainly reduces CO2 emissions (among other things, and for whatever that's worth) but also allows for fuel savings (and that's worth a lot). what i do disagree with are the idiots, for example, who stand outside heathrow protesting air travel.



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