Scientifica Ex Cathedra

[daethkow]

I just went to Fark and read today's we're-all-gonna-die-because-of-teh-environment story, except this time it wasn't linked from the Miami-Dade Shopper, or The Boulder Manifesto, it was from Scientific American, a magazine that should know better

Comments

[taelech]

I mostly agree. Although I think climate change could happen drastically (on the order of 50-100 years) we can deal with it. Many people would die, but that solves that pesky 'can't feed everyone problem' they banter on about. Kudos for exposing the morbid obesity problem in the third world countries (to heck with developing nations - most of them aren't!) But while we are being cold and calculating, I have yet to hear a good, objective reason why we protect species that cannot survive on their own? Look at the sea cow. It can't survive in the wild without our protections. Don't get me wrong, there are many subjective reasons to protect them, I've just never heard any objective ones. Lest we forget, modern humans has lasted out one mini Ice Age without so much as a stumble in our stride (although don't tell that to General Washington's troops in Pennsylvania and New York.) Imagine the Potomac river with huge chunks of ice in it... gimme a little global warming to stave that off any day.

G

[daethkow]

And lest we forget, we've gone through some definitely warmer periods as a species as well, like when Greenland was, you know, green about the time the Vikings had their go at exploration.

The argument for species protection goes something like this, as best as I can tell, we protect the species so that they have a chance to adapt, as it's acknowledged that we can change their habitats faster than they can normally adapt. Example, the bald eagle. Between hunting and habitat loss, it was in pretty bad straits for a while, but give it a little protection and it eventually pulls itself off the endangered species list.

You two coming to Wichita around Christmas again? You need to check out the Tardis.

[taelech]

Greenland was always icy. The name was a PR stunt by the vikings to encourage emigration there. Seems after the weak move to Iceland (which was green!) they need ad 'hook'. meh.

Bald eagles' dance with death was DDT... but here nor there.

Will be in town for Thanksgiving, but not for Christmas. We are going to let the relatives come to us for a change! :) Going to HI this early December for the Honolulu Marathon and to see friends and relatives. Leave balance is running dangerously low for the wife, another reason to stay in the Capitol region (along with all the holiday stuff in DC, it really is wonderful in the winter. The snow hides all the homeless and trash.)

[taelech]

By the by, I will be in ICT next week! I arrive on Wednesday 21 NOV and leave the following Tuesday. Hope to see you there.