Climate Summit Raises Good Question -- Isn't It High Time We Stop TALKING and Start DOING?

Our world leaders possess such monumental power and yet when push comes to shove, they get locked in a notorious song and dance about a lack of funds and resources, never really ever getting around to actually DOING anything to heal our planet.

We continue on -- business as usual -- pumping 20% of the world's greenhouse gases into the atmosphere as Mother Nature chokes on our ambivalence

Solutions, anyone?
 

Unfortunately, the at the UN ones talking about climate are not the ones do anything (except chatter). The typical UN employee is from the 3rd world, paid a high salary and does little to nothing except talk.

No one in the developed world wants democracy at the UN. If it was a democracy it would be run like either India or China - two sterling examples of what not to do. China can make progress with an iron fist. India can't do anything because of internal bickering and fighting. Trying to select the heads of various UN bodies is all but impossible - refer to the recent UNESCO battle. The UN is real politics!

Making the necessary changes will be slow and probably more painful because of the slowness. 

The article on greenwala is a bit silly - the lady is using this summers weather to show definite climate change. Was the summer (wherever, as it was not stated) really all that untypical? That much cooler and wetter than historically known? All conjecture or were there some few facts involved as well? All just made up to fit the article she wanted to write?

The cartoon with 20,000 cancelled reservations for the UN climate summit would probably be a good thing (if it were to happen) plus a cancelled shopping trip for the unfortunate representatives who had their trip cancelled and just as much would be accomplished (except the shopping). More than likely 90% of the people at such a conference have zero to add to the discussion.

One thing that does not help (in the US at least) are statements made about Cap & Trade such as:
1. The utilities will not be able to pass the penalties on to the consumer. Sure it sounds nice but is impossible for many reasons both legal and economic. 
2. Cap & Trade will not cost the individual much - it will be an expensive proposition.

The only way energy consumption will decrease is when energy becomes more expensive. CA type of electric costs and incentives nationwide would have an immediate affect. 44 cent peak power changes a persons mind on how much they want to consume.

I personally am far more for a carbon tax on each and every item as I believe it would be more directed, easier to implement and harder to game. At present you can see how much fun Washington is having passing out carbon allocations to various parties (friends & big contributors first of course). 

In that calculation (which is very suspect no matter who does it) they assume all money will go back into individual pockets. Then it is said it will be invested in the new technologies.

I say the calculation is suspect as I am sure the numbers will be adjusted up and down as the inputs and outputs become more clear. Neither extreme is the least bit hesitant to 'fudge' the numbers to seemingly give their side an advantage.

When money comes out of my pocket and into somebody else's I call it an expense or cost.

The cost of power will go up - it has to at least until such time as alternative power becomes competitive. Alternative power generation is still well above the cost generation by combined cycle gas turbines or coal in all areas.

The utilities will not pay the cost out of pocket. The refineries will not pay the cost out of their pockets.

We're not talking about extremes here.  We're talking every independent analysis - EPA, CBO, EIA, and Treasury Department all agreeing it will cost in the ballpark of $100 per year per average family.  You're free to believe what you want of course, but I choose to believe the economic analyses done by the economists.

Energy prices will certainly go up, but due to the provisions in the bill, energy consumption will go down accordingly.

Agreed Dana - We will see a few years after it is in place.

The only way for energy consumption per household to go down is if energy conservation steps are taken. Not a whole lot I can do to mine that is not already done with the exception of PV solar panels. As I am retired our driving is minimum though the next car will be a bit more practical!

Call me a pessimist but I have about as much faith in those offices doing estimates as I have in the tooth fairy - maybe less.  

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