Now that we have established that we are mostly on the same page

[nadinbrzezinski]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1842862

Yes Climate Change is real... now we can discuss policy.

Are carbon exchanges a good idea?

Is geting rid of plastic bags a good idea?

Should we get rid of styrofoam?

Should we use grass or corn for biufuels? Other alternatives?

Should we push alternative sources of energy HARD or not? (Solar et al)

Should we use nuclear?

All these are policy decisions. For the record on plastic bags... Mexico City did it... and it is a culture that is far less educated on many issues than ours... alas not in climatic change. They are way behind the reuse, recycle triangle, and at a policy level they have also done something else that has helped then reduce emissions, accidentally. They smog check every vehicle every six months... Also their driving policies force a newer fleet... yes it is punitive to the poor... I offer this only as one response. All we do will have losers and winers... So realize that while you discuss this.

Me, things that are obvious, like bags and styrofoam will force the conversation. Oh and yes there is a place for personal responsibility by the way. I always order my coffe for here when I happen, rarely, to go out for coffee... to save some styrofoam, It also forces the conversation.

Yes I know that to some it was a bullshit poll, but we really need a baseline of where we are before we truly can start this discussion. So go at it... and think of places like Joplin Misouri, or DC last winter or right now in Vermont... sadly they are connected.

[jwirr]

1. This discussion is needed because this is probably going to be

a bottom up solution. Too many in leadership are not interested. However, if enough of us work at these solutions they will see it. Once had a bumper sticker that read: "I had better go because there they go and I am their leader." Probably more truth in that than we think.

As for my family - we all recycle, are gardening and preserving food, buying local when possible, conserving water, shutting off lights, etc., raise chickens and other animals for personal use, go shopping once or twice a month instead of just when we need an item.

One thing we did wrong this year is buy bigger cars. Our family often travel together and this allows us to use one car instead of several. Two of them are pickups so they get used for a lot of reasons on the acreage. We use the smaller car when possible. Some of us use the bus when it is available.

I assume there are a lot of other things we could do.

[nadinbrzezinski]

4. I don't think our leaders will get it until the WH

is under water... if all predictions are correct on ocean water levels going up... they might get it when they are under water in scuba gear.

We do things like try to avoid the plastic bags, we shop locally for food... things like that... and I try to drive as little as possible and all that.

But we need POLICY solutions, The TAR SANDS project is sheer insanity, especially from a man who in theory RAN on environmental policy.

[jwirr]

9. I agree and the Tar Sands one is not one that can be done locally

or even state by state. There are some big issues that I was not thinking about.

[pintobean]

2. I agree

It was a bullshit poll. Two ridiculous answers to a complicated issue establishes nothing.

[Bosonic]

3. Direct solar powered carbon sequestration from the atmosphere

Carbon has many uses in building/engineering/computing where it can remain locked up.

Long term solution though.

[nadinbrzezinski]

5. Absolutely, it should be one way to do this, and you are correct

it is medium to long term... it has to be balanced with the energy that it take to do it...

[Odin2005]

6. One idea I've read is to burn biomass and then "carbon capture and storage" the CO2

This will have a net effect of removing carbon from the atmosphere.

[nadinbrzezinski]

7. And the carbon can be used for things we need

medium to long term and definitely has to be considered.

[Odin2005]

8. One word: Nanotech.