[Coral-List] The real problem.
Steve Mussman
sealab at earthlink.net
Wed Sep 12 22:41:27 EDT 2012
Francesca's vision of a low-energy world is an admirable one and may indeed
provide the best
blueprint for a sustainable long-term future on this planet, but how can the
requisite mindset
take root if societies can't even form a consensus to accept reductions in
carbon emissions
as an initial step?
In my opinion, we have to start with attainable goals and right now (at
least in the USA),
even the recognition that there is a problem and acceptance of the
proposition that there is a need to
change our ways has yet to be established. In the interim, I'm searching for
ways to stay optimistic
and hoping against hope that we can buy more time. I'm certainly as guilty
as anyone as I continue to
visit my favorite reefs as if stopping by to honor a dying friend. It isn't
really motivated by the desire to
search for a painless, business as usual way out as much as it is driven by
nervous energy
and the realization that I don't know what else to do.
Steve
BTW, I apologize if it appeared that I was questioning Francesca's support
of the scientific community,
that wasn't my intention.
-----Original Message-----
>From: "frahome at yahoo.com"
>Sent: Sep 12, 2012 5:40 PM
>To: "coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov"
>Subject: Re: [Coral-List] The real problem.
>
>Steve said it right. Many are thinking of a low-carbon, more or less
business as usual, future. We are all waiting for the illusionary win-win
painless situation where the politicians quit dirty subsidies and we get the
clean alternative to keep doing what we were doing.
>Between a low-carbon energy future and a low-energy future objective (the
one I was mentioning) there is a substantial difference.
>The second requires a totally different mindset as it is based on the full
redesign of lifestyles, food production, economy, leisure. To my opinion,
saving the coral reefs is not about replacing fossil fuels with solar panels
and other so called "renewables" or to convince everybody on the planet that
global warming is happening but is about building a new appealing model for
society to live on this planet. This requires a lot of people on board, not
just thinking, but acting and fast, to show that it is possible.
>By the way, I am a willing and mobilized supporter of science and the
scientific method.
>Francesca
>
>
>
>
>
>________________________________
> From: Steve Mussman
>To: "coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov"
>Sent: Wednesday, September 12, 2012 12:17 AM
>Subject: Re: [Coral-List] The real problem.
>
>
> While it is becoming more difficult to remain optimistic when considering
> what the future
> holds for coral reefs and other sensitive ecosystems if CO2 emissions
> continue unabated,
> I wouldnât diminish the contributions of western coral scientists and/or
> environmentalists
> in the process. If everybody on the planet thought like most coral
> scientists and environmentalists
> we would likely be well on the way towards the low-carbon energy future
that
> many seek.
> What is making that seemingly logical move more difficult is the
> effectiveness of the anti-science
> campaign that relentlessly promotes the prolonged consumption of fossil
> fuels along with the idea
> that those concerned about humans affecting climate are illusory.
Scientists
> (and environmentalists)
> certainly have their faults, but rejecting undeniable facts is not
typical
> of their behavior.
> In my opinion many of you need to feel more contrition about your
> unwillingness to mobilize against
> the forces advancing scientific doubt than about your insufficient
> application of carbon credits.
> Steve
> -----Original Message-----
> >From: "frahome at yahoo.com"
> >Sent: Sep 10, 2012 7:01 PM
> >To: "coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov"
> >Subject: Re: [Coral-List] The real problem.
> >
> >Thank you for bringing up this
> >point so clearly.
> >I came to the unpleasant conclusions that coral reefs research might be
fun
> and
> >interesting but does very little to save them in practice. This applies
to
> many
> >other environmental efforts not to mention the technological ones.
> >It is harsh to think that if everybody on the planet would be a typical
> western
> >coral scientist or "environmentalist", reef would be likely long time
> >gone.
> >We already know a lot more than we need to realize that what can save
the
> reef is to
> >move towards a low-energy lifestyle focused on taking care of the land
and
> >re-building soil fertility following nature patterns. And this needs to
be
> started
> >by individuals and communities, it won't start from above.
> >Tourism should be restricted to volunteering in projects that help make
> >communities self-sufficient for subsistence (e.g. through sustainable
food
> production and family planning), rather than be aimed to build a
> >"tourism industry".
> >Just another guilty individual that is trying to make the transition but
> >finding a lot of selfish resistance.
> >Francesca
> >PS.. Are the drops in the bucket that at the end fill the bucket and
call
> for
> >the change.. I do not see any other possibility.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >________________________________
> > From: John Ware
> >To: "coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov"
> >Sent: Thursday, September 6, 2012 11:05 PM
> >Subject: [Coral-List] The real problem.
> >
> >Dear List,
> >
> >While it certainly seems important to exploit as many "green" options as
> >possible, the fact remains that, in the long run there is very little
> >really meaningful that can be done until everyone (that is, everyone on
> >the planet) recognizes two things:
> >
> >1- We really are changing the Earth's climate.
> >2- The gorilla in the living room (the REAL PROBLEM): There are too many
> >of us and each of us consume too many resources.
> >
> >And, before we all pat ourselves on the back for whatever it is we are
> >doing, the chances are that many, perhaps most, coral-reef scientists,
> >especially those in the developed countries, consume more resources than
> >the average person in their country. Clearly, the average person did
> >not fly to Cairns for a coral reef symposium. The average person in the
> >USA does not fly to some far-off Pacific reef in order to gather data so
> >that another paper bemoaning the state of coral reefs can be published.
> >
> >And I am as guilty as anyone.
> >John
> >
> >--
> > *************************************************************
> > * *
> > * John R. Ware, PhD *
> > * President *
> > * SeaServices, Inc.. *
> > * 302 N.. Mule Deer Pt. *
> > * Payson, AZ 85541, USA *
> > * 928 478-6358 *
> > * jware at erols.com *
> > * http://www.seaservices.org *
>
> > * *
> > * Member of the Council: *
> > * International Society for Reef Studies *
> > * _ *
> > * | *
> > * ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~|~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *
> > * _|_ *
> > * | _ | *
> > * _______________________________| |________ *
> > * |\/__ Untainted by Technology \ *
> > * |/\____________________________________________/ *
> > *************************************************************
> >
> >If you are a coral-reef scientist and you are not a member
> >of the International Society for Reef Studies, then
> >shame on you.
> >Become a member of the International Society for Reef Studies
> >http://www.coralreefs.org
> >
> >
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