Should environmental protection be a global agenda?

[Xenon]

Well, looking at the board's recent activity I think it's time a bit of discussion was injected back into the Off Topic forum.

The title says it all. Do you think international law should govern the behaviour and legislation of countries with regards to Global Warming and pollution? Or do you think countries are within their rights to choose what legislation to enforce?

[spiraldoor]

Being environmentally-friendly is cool and all, but I would resent being forced into it. Forcing everyone on the planet into it sounds like a bad idea.

[Haruka]

I find quite important that some actions become a law in order to benefeciate the Nature, it would exist more control.

But it is also true that it is impossible to change the mind to everyone.

For example, kids should be instructed appropriately at school about nature protection, and incentivate them to do more greener actions like recycling more.

[Xenon]

I think people understand the consequences of Global Warming but they are too lazy to make pro-active changes to their lifestyles. This is why a change in legislation would perhaps be a more practical solution.

[Haruka]

Penaltys could be an incentive to obey some green laws.

[Holy Crap]

I think regardless of whether you consider Global Warming a problem, there does need to be same action taken towards cleaning shit up. Air pollution is hazardous regardless of its effect on temperature and we need to prepare for when fossil fuels run out anyway.

Also garbage everywhere. That probably needs to be dealt with.

[neo]

Yeah. We as a people are lazy and throw shit everywhere, me too. I wouldn't mind.

[Haruka]

One of the things it disturbs me is watching waste in grasses from parks. I remember to see two big plastic boxes in one. I didn't mind in picking in them and to deposit them in the closest Recycling containers from me. Until someone bothering to pick them up, the faster would be the (aprox.) 500 years of decomposition.

[El Dango]

I agree with Spiral on this.

[Cairnie]

One thing I did hear about [albeit from the Daily Mail] is that all UK families would be rationed to just about 80 bags of rubbish a year. It sounds fairly unrealistic but I can hope that it'd encourage the public to recycle more paper, cans and that. Can't even imagine how many my household goes through, and I'm trying to encourage at least my mother to help recycle [my dad clearly does not give a shit about anything environmental ever].

I did vote yes but I think it's grey area - not every single person is going to care about the environment no matter how many times they are shown images of freak weather and natural disasters [which will never stop] and I also think we all shouldn't worry about it too much - just do whatever you think is helpful however big or small it might be.

I mean I recycle whatever can be recyclable whenever I can, I turn off my electricals over night, I use as little water as I can to brush my teeth, I walk to the local shops and back most times now; and in my boyfriend's town they have bins for food waste which we need to have back over here. It's not so much about saving energy but also about saving money too.

[Phoenixan]

Personally, I'm all for seeing something put in place to force a change for the better.

Then I realize the United States would be in a lot of trouble if that happened. From where I'm sitting, I see a lot that would need to be done. In my own city, there's not even a way to recycle anything aside from metal scrap (which I would have to take the plant myself).

Many American cities would probably have to be restructured. Americans would finally have to say "goodbye" to the inefficiency of the suburb. Not that I wouldn't like to see that happen, as the lifestyle of post-WWII is biting us repeatedly in the ass.

[Gamerking]

Australia is jumping on with carbon tax proposal. God dammit

[Sabertooth]

I'm pretty good about eco-friendliness. I always turn off lights I'm not using, ride the bus, and recycle as much as I can. Unfortunately those around me don't seem to be picking up on that. I came home from school one day to find EVERY LIGHT in the room on. Every freaking light! Why would you need EVERY light? Huh? Exactly what about that insignificant dim light in the corner of my bathroom is necessary for navigation? Hmm?

Anyway, yeah, I support anything promoting environmental awareness. I just can't stand the way my friends and family treat the planet. Especially the atmosphere. Won't be long before we make like Futurama and send all our garbage to outer space.

[Haruka]

and send all our garbage to outer space.

That would be perfect as far as the garbage was sent really far.

I think I could be greenier about the electricity use. I sometimes forget to turn off lights or to unplug cables.

[MrBadGuy]

So what is global warming then, tell me Xen!

[Xenon]

That would be perfect as far as the garbage was sent really far.

I don't think it would work though. Think how much rubbish the world produces every day. Then think about how many rockets would be needed to transfer this trash to outer space. Then think of the cost incurred to build, launch and fuel those rockets.

Personally, I do think every country should enforce rules that govern the amount of waste each person/family produces. I understand the drawbacks (especially in the UK at the moment), but why not deal with this increasing problem sooner rather than later, when it's too late?

[MrBadGuy]

You skipped over my question!

[Xenon]

You skipped over my question!

Because it's actually quite annoying having you pop up posting an irrelevant and hollow message. I created this thread with intelligent conversation in mind as this forum is currently lacking an active 'debate' topic. If you want to small-talk, visit TYG.

[MrBadGuy]

Dude, that's harsh! My point (although voiced in a way that you obviously didn't understand) was that I don't know (nor do I think most people know) anything near enough about the facts when it comes to global warming, to make an informed decision about questions such as the one posed in the topic title.

[Xenon]

It wasn't harsh. Without trying to sound rude, it did seem as if you were avoiding all form of discussion by voting for the 'retard' option and requesting a definition of global warming.

As for your true point, I agree that most people don't know the ins and outs of global warming. However, you don't need to be a geographical scientist for your decision to be taken seriously. Knowledge of the basics (that is, cause and effect) is sufficient.