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[GreenYes] Re: Recycle Offset Credits?


Title: [GreenYes] Re: Recycle Offset Credits?

Hello,

The elephant in the room in any discussion of carbon footprint is
human population.

As of June 21, 2008, the world's population is believed to be
6,704,845,726. In line with population projections, this figure
continues to grow at rates that were unprecedented before the 20th
century, although the rate of increase has almost halved since its
peak of 2.2 percent per year, which was reached in 1963. The world's
population, on its current growth trajectory, is expected to reach
nearly 9 billion by the year 2042.

The social justice part of the triple bottom line means that everyone
on earth needs equal access to resources and emissions.

This is unsustainable. No matter what each individual does to reduce
carbon footprint.

That's why anyone who has tried to reduce their own individual carbon
footprint in North America to "1" has failed.

Even homeless people in North America contribute more than double that
much.
http://mnenergychallenge.wordpress.com/2008/05/08/the-average-homeless-americans-carbon-footprint-is-still-double-than-the-global-average/

This is because 'society' (i.e. the system) consumes on behalf of all
of us.

It is very clear that something has to give in the next 100 years, and
I believe that will be population. That is the grim result of too many
people, and only one earth.

Perhaps I'm wrong. Perhaps society will invent technology so that our
public infrastructure is less wasteful. Perhaps we'll find novel ways
to conserve that realize a quantum leap in efficiency.

It is clear though from looking at the problem that it does not/can
not just involve individual actions at home, or even at work. Rather
it will have to involve huge leaps in efficiency and an entire
rethinking of the system. Such as shutting down police patrols,
turning off office and street lights at night, the paving of many
fewer roads, the abandonment of suburbia and long commutes, etc.

Have you read "The Long Emergency" or "Revenge of Gaia"?

Norm Ruttan
iWasteNot Systems
www.iwastenotsystems.com





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