What's the point of being hopeful?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've recently begun reading about overshoot and collapse; it's heavy stuff, mostly void of hope, but I've found Michael Dowd's post-doom work (on YouTube) to be helpful for coming to terms with the breakdown of our ecosystem and civilization. I'm still in the grieving stage, but I've also become profoundly grateful for the life that I have today. Even if things don't completely fall apart in my lifetime, the world seems to be in a steady decline, and I anticipate that things will only get harder, not easier, in the years ahead.

I do what I can to make my tiny corner of the world a better place, but I know it's not making a measurable difference on a large scale. However, those same actions often bring me into connection with nature, nudge me off of the capitalist merry-go-round, and help me slow down and enjoy the time I've been given with the people I love... so they're not totally pointless efforts. :)

God this is all nuts. Sure you may be right. In a million or so years or 20 million. Or longer. Things have never been better on earth ever than there are now for rich, average, and especially poor. We are not near a breakdown of anything. We need to do some things. They will get done. I understand people feel like we this is a bad time. they need to look up as it is the opposite.

What decline do you see in the world?

Are you really completely unaware that the planet is experiencing an extinction level event right now? If you are so confused why have you not sought out information to explain why so many of us are concerned? It’s a simple google search.

“6th mass extinction happening now? These scientists say yes“

“ For example, 2,000 bird species went extinct on the Pacific islands after human colonization began a few thousand years ago. That equals almost 1/6 of the current worldwide bird fauna.”


https://earthsky.org/earth/6th-mass-extinction-in-progress-invertebrates/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it gets bad enough, people should just stop having kids and that would solve the problem eventually.

If everyone in the world had 4 kids we would sill have plenty of room and the earth would be just fine.

Enough "room" isn't the problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve stopped being hopeful. But if it means the end of humanity, the Earth will be ok. It’s stupid, but we are a pretty stupid race.

+1 I’m hopeful for the end of humanity, because I know that will mean the earth will survive. I do worry that humans won’t die off fast enough to cause irreparable harm before they’re all gone. I wish I could time-travel into the future a few million years (or into the past several thousand) and be able to enjoy the planet without people. That would be amazing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've recently begun reading about overshoot and collapse; it's heavy stuff, mostly void of hope, but I've found Michael Dowd's post-doom work (on YouTube) to be helpful for coming to terms with the breakdown of our ecosystem and civilization. I'm still in the grieving stage, but I've also become profoundly grateful for the life that I have today. Even if things don't completely fall apart in my lifetime, the world seems to be in a steady decline, and I anticipate that things will only get harder, not easier, in the years ahead.

I do what I can to make my tiny corner of the world a better place, but I know it's not making a measurable difference on a large scale. However, those same actions often bring me into connection with nature, nudge me off of the capitalist merry-go-round, and help me slow down and enjoy the time I've been given with the people I love... so they're not totally pointless efforts. :)

God this is all nuts. Sure you may be right. In a million or so years or 20 million. Or longer. Things have never been better on earth ever than there are now for rich, average, and especially poor. We are not near a breakdown of anything. We need to do some things. They will get done. I understand people feel like we this is a bad time. they need to look up as it is the opposite.

What decline do you see in the world?

Are you really completely unaware that the planet is experiencing an extinction level event right now? If you are so confused why have you not sought out information to explain why so many of us are concerned? It’s a simple google search.

“6th mass extinction happening now? These scientists say yes“

“ For example, 2,000 bird species went extinct on the Pacific islands after human colonization began a few thousand years ago. That equals almost 1/6 of the current worldwide bird fauna.”


https://earthsky.org/earth/6th-mass-extinction-in-progress-invertebrates/

PP here. No there is no mass extinction event occuring now. There are really very few issues at all. Global warming needs to be dealt with and it will. The idea that we are at a cliff is as wrong now as it has been for the last 40 years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've recently begun reading about overshoot and collapse; it's heavy stuff, mostly void of hope, but I've found Michael Dowd's post-doom work (on YouTube) to be helpful for coming to terms with the breakdown of our ecosystem and civilization. I'm still in the grieving stage, but I've also become profoundly grateful for the life that I have today. Even if things don't completely fall apart in my lifetime, the world seems to be in a steady decline, and I anticipate that things will only get harder, not easier, in the years ahead.

I do what I can to make my tiny corner of the world a better place, but I know it's not making a measurable difference on a large scale. However, those same actions often bring me into connection with nature, nudge me off of the capitalist merry-go-round, and help me slow down and enjoy the time I've been given with the people I love... so they're not totally pointless efforts. :)

God this is all nuts. Sure you may be right. In a million or so years or 20 million. Or longer. Things have never been better on earth ever than there are now for rich, average, and especially poor. We are not near a breakdown of anything. We need to do some things. They will get done. I understand people feel like we this is a bad time. they need to look up as it is the opposite.

What decline do you see in the world?

Are you really completely unaware that the planet is experiencing an extinction level event right now? If you are so confused why have you not sought out information to explain why so many of us are concerned? It’s a simple google search.

“6th mass extinction happening now? These scientists say yes“

“ For example, 2,000 bird species went extinct on the Pacific islands after human colonization began a few thousand years ago. That equals almost 1/6 of the current worldwide bird fauna.”


https://earthsky.org/earth/6th-mass-extinction-in-progress-invertebrates/

PP here. No there is no mass extinction event occuring now. There are really very few issues at all. Global warming needs to be dealt with and it will. The idea that we are at a cliff is as wrong now as it has been for the last 40 years.

How? Do you mean the ultimate destruction of all life that exists on earth and eventually Mother Nature will produce new forms of life? Or do you mean humans will eventually reverse our damage?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There's basically nothing that any individual can do (even collectively) to make a dent in global warming. Disney shirts and holiday PJs last as long as any other shirt you can buy these days. I have no control over whether a restaurant decides to package their food in plastic or cardboard. Stop blaming individual consumers and put the blame on industry, where it belongs.

Individuals point to the industry and the industry points to the government who points back at the individual. This thinking is why we're doomed.

[Anonymous]

Hopelessness serves the fossil fuel industry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've recently begun reading about overshoot and collapse; it's heavy stuff, mostly void of hope, but I've found Michael Dowd's post-doom work (on YouTube) to be helpful for coming to terms with the breakdown of our ecosystem and civilization. I'm still in the grieving stage, but I've also become profoundly grateful for the life that I have today. Even if things don't completely fall apart in my lifetime, the world seems to be in a steady decline, and I anticipate that things will only get harder, not easier, in the years ahead.

I do what I can to make my tiny corner of the world a better place, but I know it's not making a measurable difference on a large scale. However, those same actions often bring me into connection with nature, nudge me off of the capitalist merry-go-round, and help me slow down and enjoy the time I've been given with the people I love... so they're not totally pointless efforts. :)

God this is all nuts. Sure you may be right. In a million or so years or 20 million. Or longer. Things have never been better on earth ever than there are now for rich, average, and especially poor. We are not near a breakdown of anything. We need to do some things. They will get done. I understand people feel like we this is a bad time. they need to look up as it is the opposite.

What decline do you see in the world?

Are you really completely unaware that the planet is experiencing an extinction level event right now? If you are so confused why have you not sought out information to explain why so many of us are concerned? It’s a simple google search.

“6th mass extinction happening now? These scientists say yes“

“ For example, 2,000 bird species went extinct on the Pacific islands after human colonization began a few thousand years ago. That equals almost 1/6 of the current worldwide bird fauna.”


https://earthsky.org/earth/6th-mass-extinction-in-progress-invertebrates/

PP here. No there is no mass extinction event occuring now. There are really very few issues at all. Global warming needs to be dealt with and it will. The idea that we are at a cliff is as wrong now as it has been for the last 40 years.

How? Do you mean the ultimate destruction of all life that exists on earth and eventually Mother Nature will produce new forms of life? Or do you mean humans will eventually reverse our damage?

Humans will take the steps needed to deal with climate change which will be a combination of reverse and coping. But that will not happen until it truly is a crisis. That is maybe 20-40 years into the future. At that time there will be real action.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've recently begun reading about overshoot and collapse; it's heavy stuff, mostly void of hope, but I've found Michael Dowd's post-doom work (on YouTube) to be helpful for coming to terms with the breakdown of our ecosystem and civilization. I'm still in the grieving stage, but I've also become profoundly grateful for the life that I have today. Even if things don't completely fall apart in my lifetime, the world seems to be in a steady decline, and I anticipate that things will only get harder, not easier, in the years ahead.

I do what I can to make my tiny corner of the world a better place, but I know it's not making a measurable difference on a large scale. However, those same actions often bring me into connection with nature, nudge me off of the capitalist merry-go-round, and help me slow down and enjoy the time I've been given with the people I love... so they're not totally pointless efforts. :)

God this is all nuts. Sure you may be right. In a million or so years or 20 million. Or longer. Things have never been better on earth ever than there are now for rich, average, and especially poor. We are not near a breakdown of anything. We need to do some things. They will get done. I understand people feel like we this is a bad time. they need to look up as it is the opposite.

What decline do you see in the world?

Are you really completely unaware that the planet is experiencing an extinction level event right now? If you are so confused why have you not sought out information to explain why so many of us are concerned? It’s a simple google search.

“6th mass extinction happening now? These scientists say yes“

“ For example, 2,000 bird species went extinct on the Pacific islands after human colonization began a few thousand years ago. That equals almost 1/6 of the current worldwide bird fauna.”


https://earthsky.org/earth/6th-mass-extinction-in-progress-invertebrates/

PP here. No there is no mass extinction event occuring now. There are really very few issues at all. Global warming needs to be dealt with and it will. The idea that we are at a cliff is as wrong now as it has been for the last 40 years.

How? Do you mean the ultimate destruction of all life that exists on earth and eventually Mother Nature will produce new forms of life? Or do you mean humans will eventually reverse our damage?

Humans will take the steps needed to deal with climate change which will be a combination of reverse and coping. But that will not happen until it truly is a crisis. That is maybe 20-40 years into the future. At that time there will be real action.

Maybe but there will never be enough action. It may slow down climate change but the damage is done. You also won't get countries to agree on how to make it happen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've recently begun reading about overshoot and collapse; it's heavy stuff, mostly void of hope, but I've found Michael Dowd's post-doom work (on YouTube) to be helpful for coming to terms with the breakdown of our ecosystem and civilization. I'm still in the grieving stage, but I've also become profoundly grateful for the life that I have today. Even if things don't completely fall apart in my lifetime, the world seems to be in a steady decline, and I anticipate that things will only get harder, not easier, in the years ahead.

I do what I can to make my tiny corner of the world a better place, but I know it's not making a measurable difference on a large scale. However, those same actions often bring me into connection with nature, nudge me off of the capitalist merry-go-round, and help me slow down and enjoy the time I've been given with the people I love... so they're not totally pointless efforts. :)

God this is all nuts. Sure you may be right. In a million or so years or 20 million. Or longer. Things have never been better on earth ever than there are now for rich, average, and especially poor. We are not near a breakdown of anything. We need to do some things. They will get done. I understand people feel like we this is a bad time. they need to look up as it is the opposite.

What decline do you see in the world?

Are you really completely unaware that the planet is experiencing an extinction level event right now? If you are so confused why have you not sought out information to explain why so many of us are concerned? It’s a simple google search.

“6th mass extinction happening now? These scientists say yes“

“ For example, 2,000 bird species went extinct on the Pacific islands after human colonization began a few thousand years ago. That equals almost 1/6 of the current worldwide bird fauna.”


https://earthsky.org/earth/6th-mass-extinction-in-progress-invertebrates/

PP here. No there is no mass extinction event occuring now. There are really very few issues at all. Global warming needs to be dealt with and it will. The idea that we are at a cliff is as wrong now as it has been for the last 40 years.

Your response is completely empty. There are no extinctions and no problems because random internet person says so without any supporting evidence. Yep, that about sums up why we are screwed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've recently begun reading about overshoot and collapse; it's heavy stuff, mostly void of hope, but I've found Michael Dowd's post-doom work (on YouTube) to be helpful for coming to terms with the breakdown of our ecosystem and civilization. I'm still in the grieving stage, but I've also become profoundly grateful for the life that I have today. Even if things don't completely fall apart in my lifetime, the world seems to be in a steady decline, and I anticipate that things will only get harder, not easier, in the years ahead.

I do what I can to make my tiny corner of the world a better place, but I know it's not making a measurable difference on a large scale. However, those same actions often bring me into connection with nature, nudge me off of the capitalist merry-go-round, and help me slow down and enjoy the time I've been given with the people I love... so they're not totally pointless efforts. :)

God this is all nuts. Sure you may be right. In a million or so years or 20 million. Or longer. Things have never been better on earth ever than there are now for rich, average, and especially poor. We are not near a breakdown of anything. We need to do some things. They will get done. I understand people feel like we this is a bad time. they need to look up as it is the opposite.

What decline do you see in the world?

Are you really completely unaware that the planet is experiencing an extinction level event right now? If you are so confused why have you not sought out information to explain why so many of us are concerned? It’s a simple google search.

“6th mass extinction happening now? These scientists say yes“

“ For example, 2,000 bird species went extinct on the Pacific islands after human colonization began a few thousand years ago. That equals almost 1/6 of the current worldwide bird fauna.”


https://earthsky.org/earth/6th-mass-extinction-in-progress-invertebrates/

PP here. No there is no mass extinction event occuring now. There are really very few issues at all. Global warming needs to be dealt with and it will. The idea that we are at a cliff is as wrong now as it has been for the last 40 years.

Your response is completely empty. There are no extinctions and no problems because random internet person says so without any supporting evidence. Yep, that about sums up why we are screwed.

Yes there are no real issues. Fine to think otherwise.

[Anonymous]

Climate change is bad and scary and all that. But we are not past the point of no return. Hank Green recently did this rant about the idea that we are past the point of no return and it makes him upset because a) it’s not an evidenced-based statement b) it discounts the work that climate activists have been doing for decades c) the hopelessness makes people less likely to fight climate change. It’s a good video .

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CcYUmUSJt8H/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hopelessness serves the fossil fuel industry.

I just want to expand on this a bit.

I recently read that the fossil fuel industry’s propaganda about climate change consists of four different levels, and you’ll probably remember each one when it was the prevailing thought:

First, it was “climate change isn’t real.”

Second, it was “climate change is real but not caused by humans.”

Third if was “climate change may be caused by humans but it’s not that bad.”

Now we are in the “climate change can’t be stopped so you might as well not do anything about it.”

Don’t buy it! It’s not true.

This is just a silly animated video but if you fact-check what it says, there are rational reasons to assume we can do something about climate change.

https://youtu.be/LxgMdjyw8uw