Loading ...
I finally watched this film tonight. And I'm blown away.
I am very environmentally concious, but, on the other hand, I'm also a person who works quite a bit with data. The film focuses heavily on data and the trends that are forming concerning climate change and global warming. When a logical person sees the data before them, the data that is agreed upon by the overwhelming majority of the scientific community, it is undeniable. The earth is warming up, QUICK.
In the past 5-10 years I've become more environmentally aware. I recycle way more than I throw out, I don't use many chemicals around my home, I try to use renewable resources whenever possible, etc. But, I went to the site, Climate Crisis and calculated how much CO2 I create in a year, and it was astonishing... I create 17 tons of CO2 per year. The average household is 7.5. "How could this be?" I asked myself... Well, when I played with the numbers a bit, it boils down to a few simple things.
- The size and efficiency of your home, and how you utilize it.
- The state you live in.
- The car you drive.
- How often you fly.
And as much as I'd like to tell myself that those things are out of my control. They aren't. I can move to another state that forces it's residents to comply with cleaner air laws. I can live in a smaller, more effiecient home, switch to flourescent bulbs (we have about 50% flourecents now), etc. I could also ditch my gas guzzling SUV and get a hybrid (with a roof rack of course). I could also reduce the amount of flying I do.
The bottom line is, that many of us will have to move North in the next 50 years anyway. Every year the temperature rises a degree or two on average. Pretty soon Illinois will feel like Florida, and Florida will feel like Panama. I think the most scary thing that I saw in the film was that the ice caps are melting. I knew this. But I didn't know how fast they are melting. At the current rate, they'll be gone IN OUR LIFETIME. And ocean levels are predicted to rise 20 FEET!
I'm scared S%$tless. So, I am definately going to change some things I do. Even if the people in denial think I'm a goofball for doing them.
Anyone know of any communities that use only wind or solar power? I'm moving.
Similar Posts:
- Florida Beaches Mostly Clear
- Meredith's Ride
- Birthright
- Boat Ownership Fees for Non-Motorized Watercraft in New Hampshire
- North Face Review (the movie not the company)
- Are you Getting Your Fair Share of Time Off Work?
- Help an outdoorzy legend in their time of need.
Loading ...
It is a great movie!
Wade, Great post. My wife and I saw this movie not so long ago in Heber City, UT where we live. I
was distressed at both the film and at the fact that on a Saturday night only a dozen or so people
were in the theater. So of course in Heber, the next week it was gone from the programming list at
that movie house. These are the people that NEED to watch this film the most!! But the name Gore
scared them all to death. Such a shame.
I also know what you mean about household impact. My wife and I measured our impact and we were
surprised. A lot like you said had to do with our traveling habits.
I tend to get defensive when people start to claim that this film is all about politics. It's not
and most of the time these people haven't even watched the documentary. These are reported factual
data as you say.
Since the move we've too been more aware. In fact, we bought packages of energy savings bulbs and
sent them to close friends and family for the holiday.
Thanks for adding awareness to the film. Everyone needs to watch this.
Gary M
Well, an iceberg in Canada (right?) just broke apart because it is melting. So I guess it is true. I remember seeing an episode of 20/20 about a year or so ago where the narrator (can't remember his name) said that global warming was nonsense and tha it is not happening. Let's see, a very mild winter and melting icebergs... makes you think.
Good post Wade.
Hi, I'm Slimy. What's your name?