Is this about the planet or is it about taxing and limiting "American consumerist lifestyles" for its own sake

Question

and is the AGW theory just the latest pretext?

Answer 1

What is it about conservatives that they think liberals get a kick out of high taxes?

I really don't get it.  Nobody likes high taxes, but some people understand that some taxes are necessary.

You must realize that AGW proponents provide supporting evidence to almost all of our arguments.  I don't understand why you have to pretend otherwise.

The psychology of the global warming denier is both fascinating and frustrating.

Answer 2

FANTASTIC QUESTION......

I doubt it'd be for its own sake.......

Those in power must have hidden agendas...of course.....

I just wonder if those people carrying the GW flag are, in fact, consuming less.....

Particularly with Al Gore, I read exactly the opposite, his utility bills from his mansion in Tennessee, have gone UP....

Answer 3

This has zero to do with the planet, and everything to do with the Anti capitalist, anti usa agenda.

Have you ever noticed how we (the usa) is the only country not to take advantage of our natural resources? very other country salivates when they learn of new oil deposits. Not us. Our government officials continually think of idiotic reasons why we should not drill. My favorite is that drilling in ANWAR would be bad for the wildlife. That far north has very little wildlife. It is about the perfect place to drill, but noooooo. That might actually be good for the US.

Answer 4

I don't think these guys are into limiting consumerist lifestyles.

"I believe there is now more than enough evidence of climate change to warrant an immediate and comprehensive - but considered - response. Anyone who disagrees is, in my view, still in denial."

Ford Motor Company CEO William Clay Ford, Jr.

"The science of global warming is clear. We know enough to act now. We must act now."

James Rogers, CEO of Charlotte-based Duke Energy.

And, the ultimate reference, given the question:

"Global warming is real, now, and it must be addressed."

Lee Scott, CEO, Wal-Mart  

It's about proven science.

EVERY major scientific organization has issued an official statement that this is real, and mostly caused by us.  The National Academy of Sciences, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Institute of Physics, the American Chemical Society, the American Geophysical Union, the American Meteorological Association, etc.

Answer 5

Given the two choices, I would say its about limiting the consumer life style to grab as much control over everyone. Carbon taxes will cut down the extra available money that consumers have to spend on goods. This action will slow the economy to a crawl.

Not drilling for oil, because of environmental concerns, will keep us dependent on foreign oil, and not increase our supplies or our stores.

Producing the environmentalists preferred fuel ethanol, will also push oil and food prices up as well. This also puts 15% of our gasoline supply at risk to inclement weather, such as the recent flooding of the Mississippi.  

Conservation and going green are global warming offset projects that are not bad for the environment in general, but are employed for the wrong reasons.

Conservation is pushing these light bulbs that have CFC’s, and mercury. I would not advise anyone to break one. Just look at the precautions on the label. Cigarettes are not as potentially as lethal. Smoking 100,000 cigarettes may give you cancer, but exposure to one of these bulbs may have long term consequences.

Going green is all about limiting what we do, like saving a tree, when forest fires destroy millions of trees. The lumber mills plant way more trees than those who hug trees, but do not plant them.

Answer 6

It's not about the planet, climate or science at all.  It's a wild theory with no facts to back it up, just lots of hype and money.

It's also not just about American lifestyles, it's tackling modern living all over the world.  The attack on fossil fuels, nuclear fuels and what we do with them are under attack.  And so far, there are no alternatives to these fuels, nothing at all on the horizon even, that's affordable, timely and efficient.

In the 1970s they tried to get a 'global cooling' alarm going, but it was not planned as well as this scam so kinda fizzled after a couple of years.  

Get ready, if this AGW cult gets it's way, to pay lots more tax, and lots more for almost everything you buy.  Everyone in all the manufacturing sectors will be forced to raise their prices a lot, but won't be able to pay any more.  Sad to see a lie lead to such panic, but the lefties love it...they believe they must be subservient to someone.

Answer 7

It's about getting rid of the middle class, consolidating wealth, and enslaving the people in manageable overcrowded cities (eminent domain and UN "biospheres" will prevent people from living away from these cities).  : )

Answer 8

Consumerism is the source of this, and many other problems.

Of course, we have to consume.

But when consumption becomes an end to itself...

Do you have any clue what I'm talking about?

edit:

Yes, I do go beyond that.  Here is the real inconvenient truth, the truth that even Mr. Gore cannot speak because most people can't handle it.  Good luck to you, and to all of us.

--------------------------------------...

Dr. Glen Barry, Ecological Internet, Climate Ark - Climate Change Portal, http://www.climateark.org/

Top Ten Policies Necessary to Pursue Global Ecological Sustainability

Following are the most urgent policy prescriptions necessary to maximize the likelihood of a habitable biosphere and minimize human death as a result of collapsing ecosystems. They are listed in order of importance. To have any chance of averting global apocalypse these sorts of policies must be implemented with all haste.

No. 1 - POPULATION - Human populations surpass what the Earth can bear. We must stabilize and then reduce human population to at most a third current levels. Global limits must be placed on the number of children born, using incentives at first such as tax benefits for smaller families. Humanity can reduce population on their own accord or the Earth will do so for us.

No. 2 - GREENHOUSE GASES - Abrupt runaway climate change is happening now as energy costs the Earth dearly. Greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced by at least 70% as soon as possible. Maintaining an operable atmosphere requires phasing out coal and oil, introducing a substantial carbon tax, investing in renewable energy, and rigorously pursuing conservation and efficiency. No large-scale new energy systems such as nuclear or biofuel until shown to be environmentally benign in the long-term.

No. 3 - PROTECT ECOSYSTEMS - Large, connected and strictly protected ecosystems over much of the land and sea are a prerequisite for provision of air, water, biodiversity, soil and other services upon which life depends. Large protected marine areas must be established, ending industrial fishing. And ancient forest logging must end, strictly protecting remaining intact natural habitats.

No. 4 - CONSUMPTION - Excessive resource use to meet frivolous human wants must be restricted by promoting a consumption ethic that stresses voluntary simplicity and a sense of "enoughness", and laws that minimize impacts. Simple reforms such as standardizing consumer packaging and making all waste recyclable will reduce necessary consumption's impacts.

No. 5 - AGRICULTURE - A transition must be made to sustainable agricultural practices and eating habits with the emphasis upon organic, non-GMO, low meat diets that are locally produced. Eating habits impact virtually all ecosystems, resulting in natural forest clearing, toxic food chains, depleted water, soil loss and reduction of ecosystems' ability to hold carbon.

No. 6 - SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIES - Economic systems are a subset of ecological systems and as such all economic activities must maintain or expand natural capital. Growth that destroys natural capital is not sustainable, and growth as a measure of economic activity is an ecological malignancy. A steady state, sustainable economy must be business, industry and humanity's goal.

No. 7 - GREEN TECHNOLOGY - Technology by itself cannot bring sustainability, but clean and green technologies are important and provide huge economic opportunities. There is tremendous potential for development of energy efficient, more sustainable and fully recyclable buildings, products and services (including hybrid cars and fluorescent lightbulbs). But the use and trade of toxic chemicals must end.

No. 8 - ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION - Too many ecosystems have already been lost and diminished for humanity to persist. Achieving sustainability and preparing for post collapse societies depends upon targeted restoration of important ecosystems. Priorities for ecological restoration include watersheds, establishing ecological core areas and urban environments.

No. 9 - POVERTY- Billions living in desperate poverty is unethical and damages the environment. All cannot live like Americans, but if the Earth's wealth is shared we can all live well. The focus must be upon the overdeveloped world living more simply, sustainable development, equitable and just political and economic systems, and green technology transfer.

No. 10 - DEMILITARIZATION - Increasingly conflicts over resources fuel militarism and insurgency. Military budgets divert resources from crucial social and environmental investments, and must be slashed. Lasting security that is equitable, just and sustainable is best achieved through greater international law and investments that nurture global ecosystems.

Dr. Glen Barry, Ecological Internet, Climate Ark - Climate Change Portal, http://www.climateark.org/

Answer 9

No it's not some big conspiracy to get us to "slow down" or "cut back". Although we should ...of course, no one is going to stop driving giant, unnecessary gas guzzlers and stop numerous other practices that damage the Earth until it's too late...if it's not already. Then we'll say it's the governments' fault for not stopping us.

Don't get me wrong, we are not the only culprits in damaging our planet...other countries share in the guilt.

An interesting point was made by my History and Government professor today on this very subject...after WWII the Japanese saw a great opportunity to get into indutrialization by building cars. They basically took a basic business idea and now it has become great business: who builds the best and most fuel efficient? Not us. If you apply it to what's happening today, look at what's happening as a result of the world oil issues...who is engineering and selling vehicles that run on resources OTHER than gasoline? You guessed it! Japan is! Not us. Not Europe. Think they may realize something the rest of are too ignorant or pre-occupied to see?

Is there a way to make our world's environmental issues better? Yes, but it will take a great deal more cooperationand desire from EVERYONE...not just the bunny huggers and tree huggers!

Answer 10

they will do or say anything to make 99% of people dissapear from planet Earth

Answer 11

It's the altruist belief that most people carry with.  These people feel bad when things are going bad, so much so they feel guilty.

After all, they think, how can they have the ability to afford many nice things, when so many can't?  Then they go further with the desire for someone to take their ability away from them.  And then take this ability away from everyone else, as this makes life "fair".