THE POINT!

Had this been at one of the many brilliant websites, like Energy Bulletin, that regularly and excellently express this idea about sustainability, it would not be NewEnergyNewsworthy. But when BBC News "gets it," its exciting!

Focus on carbon ‘missing the point’
Eamon O’Hara, July 30, 2007 (BBC News)

WHO
Us.
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WHAT
Climate change and the emissions causing it are symptoms of a bigger problem, the unrestrained, irresponsible and unsustainable consumption of resources. And living a sustainable lifestyle does not have to be a punishment. It can be “liberating and rewarding.” We can’t really go somewhere else right now, can we?

WHEN
Now.

WHERE
Earth.

WHY
- Signs of environmental degradation have been showing up for decades: species extinction, the loss of biodiversity, air and water pollution, soil erosion, acid rain, destruction of rainforests, ozone depletion…Climate change is merely the most catastrophic, the sign things are completely out of control.
- The solution of cutting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is like putting a heroin addict on methadone.
- Moving to renewable energies will not forever avoid the harsh reality that there is a limit to anything.
- 75% of the world's population, 4.5 billion people, use 15% of the world's resources while western civilization consumes 85%. India and China are catching up. They are buying cars. What happens when they want all that we have? The world does not have resources of that kind.
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QUOTES
- O’Hara: "Is it not time to recognise that climate change is yet another symptom of our unsustainable lifestyles, which must now become the focus our efforts?"
- O’Hara: "Ultimately, our problem is consumption, and the environment is not the only casualty."
- O’Hara: "How many people are tired and weary of modern living? The endless cycle of earning and consumption can be exhausting and does not necessarily bring happiness and fulfillment. Can we do things differently, and better?"