So will the economic down turn and cost of energy kill environmentalism?

[GtoRA2]

Seems to me, when everyone is worried about money and the economy worrying about the environment for the average joe is going to be a luxury that goes out the window with eggs and eating out.

When you are worried about how your going to pay the bills cause gas costs to much and food cost so much, how much can you really spare to care about “global climate change”,  especially when all the solutions pushed by the environmentalists will just drive the cost of everything up?

[slipknot]

Necessity is the mother of invention, they say...

Personally, I'm view the current global situation with gaurded enthusiasm.

 It's severe enough to prompt a strong, pragmatic solution, and yet not sudden and harsh enough to create a global catastrophe on the order of the Great Depression. People can get by. They will need to change and adapt, and they will need to do so aggressively, but in the end, they will get walk out of this thing smarter and stronger. Demand will spur industry to create long-term, expansive solutions, will force the cumbersome energy companies to seek alternatives, and will open the eyes of the most die-hard conservatives as to just how many viable alternatives there are. The fact that oil prices are spiking and severe environmental effects are coming to a head at the same time only indicates that the path to take from here on in will be one less dependant on oil, and more on renewable energy sources.

Things will change drastically in the next decade. My hopeful prediction is that these changes will include our walking away from Middle Eastern oil suppliers, and embracing technologies that are today in their nascent stages... Nascent, mind you, does not mean infeasible.

It's a bit cliched to talk about silver linings, but in this case, I am sure there is one. Humanity, for all its shortcomings, has proven that in times of need, brilliant ideas can and will emerge.

[lazs2]

short answer... yes.. in a lot of ways but....

"global climate change" and "environmentalism" don't have a lot in common.. in fact.. they are at cross purposes.  I believe that environmentalism and liberal socialism are simply an octopus who's tentacles all have a different agenda at this point.

While almost all environmentalism has it's roots now firmly in liberal socialism agenda...  every one of these groups has a different idea of how to reach this socialist utopia agenda and of course..  they all have a different idea of utopia.. they are stepping on each others toes at the moment by competing for the same dwindling dollar that is fear and guilt based.

As fear and guilt are replaced by survival instinct..  they will be forced to make ever more radical and silly claims of doom and gloom in order to guilt and fear people into supporting their cause and not the others.   

The whole phony house of cards might just collapse under it's own weight.. 

Once people start asking for proof..  it will get ugly.

lazs

[indy007]

Necessity is the mother of invention, they say...

It's a bit cliched to talk about silver linings, but in this case, I am sure there is one. Humanity, for all its shortcomings, has proven that in times of need, brilliant ideas can and will emerge.

  History is full of it. Tin shortage. Out comes aluminum. Don't have pure crude oil? Out comes the synthetics.

There's another saying, "The only truly renewable resource is human ingenuity." Every time somebody starts railing about overpopulation, I get a giggle.

[GtoRA2]

Necessity is the mother of invention, they say...

Personally, I'm view the current global situation with gaurded enthusiasm.

 It's severe enough to prompt a strong, pragmatic solution, and yet not sudden and harsh enough to create a global catastrophe on the order of the Great Depression. People can get by. They will need to change and adapt, and they will need to do so aggressively, but in the end, they will get walk out of this thing smarter and stronger. Demand will spur industry to create long-term, expansive solutions, will force the cumbersome energy companies to seek alternatives, and will open the eyes of the most die-hard conservatives as to just how many viable alternatives there are. The fact that oil prices are spiking and severe environmental effects are coming to a head at the same time only indicates that the path to take from here on in will be one less dependant on oil, and more on renewable energy sources.

Things will change drastically in the next decade. My hopeful prediction is that these changes will include our walking away from Middle Eastern oil suppliers, and embracing technologies that are today in their nascent stages... Nascent, mind you, does not mean infeasible.

It's a bit cliched to talk about silver linings, but in this case, I am sure there is one. Humanity, for all its shortcomings, has proven that in times of need, brilliant ideas can and will emerge.

Oh I agree for the most part.  The catalyst is in place to change the U.S. car market already.   The oil companies are shooting themselves in the foot because demand is going to go down, all you have to do is look at the prenus's and other hybrids driving around.

I just think on top of that, luxuries like worrying about the environment(just like the half paid off jet skis and boat) are not going to be on most of the struggling peoples minds, other then "WTF is the duche of a politician thinking tacking on another environmental tax, we are already paying XXX, this is insane!"

It’s a great time to buy a toy like a boat, jet ski or Harley though. To bad what the environmentalist “sell” cost so much to implement.

[JB88]

the sky is not falling folks.  it's just descending at a faster rate.

 

[GtoRA2]

the sky is not falling folks.  it's just descending at a faster rate.

 

I don't think the Sky is falling 88, but you have to admit it looks like we are in for a recession of some type. I know when I am worried about money, I stop spending it (hasn't happened yet, but we are scaling back the 4X4 trips this summer due to 4.52 and climbing gas).

So how much money are people going to have to donate towards green peace and other environmental groups? How much will people listen when the solutions all seemingly cost money people are worried they won't have?