Our home, Earth, is crumbling in front of our eyes...

Walrus · Jul 16, 2021

Sometimes I get a kick out of this stuff when I see so much “human throwaways” don’t get me wrong we are stewards of the earth and I believe we should take care of it. 14 year olds Overdosing on fentanyl, cities creating areas for homeless to populate, basically writing off blocks of the city for tent cities then the governors making speeches about “great progress going green.” Sometimes I question if it’s reality. It’s good though they outlawed plastic bags in my state but legalized marijuana I guess that’s going green

Archer · Jul 16, 2021

Walrus
Sometimes I get a kick out of this stuff when I see so much “human throwaways” don’t get me wrong we are stewards of the earth and I believe we should take care of it. 14 year olds Overdosing on fentanyl, cities creating areas for homeless to populate, basically writing off blocks of the city for tent cities then the governors making speeches about “great progress going green.” Sometimes I question if it’s reality. It’s good though they outlawed plastic bags in my state but legalized marijuana I guess that’s going green

Well, you would hope that humanity can walk and chew gum at the same time...

JwRosenthal · Jul 16, 2021

Walrus
Sometimes I get a kick out of this stuff when I see so much “human throwaways” don’t get me wrong we are stewards of the earth and I believe we should take care of it. 14 year olds Overdosing on fentanyl, cities creating areas for homeless to populate, basically writing off blocks of the city for tent cities then the governors making speeches about “great progress going green.” Sometimes I question if it’s reality. It’s good though they outlawed plastic bags in my state but legalized marijuana I guess that’s going green

Yup-yup. I live in what once was one of the great industrial powerhouse cities on the east coast- a place where anyone who wanted work without an education could find a good paying wage with a pension and benefits. We had a population of over 1m in 1969, now hovering around 600k with over 70k vacant houses in the city….and homeless tent villages. Throw- away people is right.

I see them clearing whole sections of derelict neighborhoods for green space and think how all of those those homeless could occupy those homes…but I guess that wouldn’t be profitable.

KeyWestPaw · Jul 16, 2021

I belong to a local Surfrider foundation .
We do near shore water cleanups, education on recycling and basic environmental issues. We really try to get the local community involved with either beach cleanups or mangrove clean ups, when we dive we always take a lot of bags to carry debris we find on the reef. We’ve got the local government to stop letting businesses use plastic straws, we stopped the use of harmful coral killing ingredients in sunscreen, and we’re working on limiting plastic bags.
There’s more to it than just that we also take part in lobbying the state for cleaner and greener initiatives. We’re doing the best we can.
Personally, I try to limit my purchases to better quality so I don’t have to throw as much away… we recycle, I try not to buy single use plastic‘s. We’re in the tropics so myself and three children all need water bottles constantly and I have a myriad of double insulated aluminum water bottles that I’ve had a couple of them for nearly 10 years.
We eat as cleanly as possible, try not to waste water and electricity. These boys know if they need light in a room to turn it on when they go in and turn it out when they’re done. We just moved to a new place and I don’t have room for a compost but I used to.
I have been doing the best I can to have the smallest footprint possible. my boys understand that what they do to the environment impacts everybody around them and their future as well as their children so the best thing I think I’ve done is pass on my ideals of keeping a smaller footprint and don’t waste.
My little bit that I do makes me feel better but working with people like the Surfrider foundation has a farther Reach which I think has more of an impact on the community I live in and the laws that this community has in place for conservation…
And I know I can do better and I try. If each of us would help just one person understand that we need to reduce reuse and recycle and they pass that on, I think we may be able to get there. Unfortunately there’s so much waste in every community, industry and individually. So many people don’t understand this so I just try to push my agenda of reduce reuse recycle.

Foo2rama · Jul 16, 2021

JimInOz
I wouldn't worry, we'll all probably be wiped out by the nuke nutters before we can the place completely.

Then the planet can take its time and fix itself.

It was around for 4.5 billion years before we came along and started turning everything into shit.

And it'll still be around when we are nothing more than cosmic dust.

Venus was habitable so was Mars….

Walrus · Jul 16, 2021

Archer
Well, you would hope that humanity can walk and chew gum at the same time...

I get where you are coming from but unfortunately I know some guys with traumatic brain injuries who can’t do that. Today I picked someone up from an inpatient unit, Monday he was on CV (constant visual) because he was stabbing himself in his arm with a pencil yet today, four days later he is miraculously well enough to go home, I had to put him in as he “wanted to blow his brains out” and had stabbed his arm pretty badly with a steak knife. These are the throw aways I refer to, most people keep a safe distance or are isolated from the realities of the horrible burdens these people carry many through no fault of their own. All it takes is improper brain development in the womb, genetics, whatever it may be but it’s real, it’s happening as we speak, I’ve physical intervened in suicide attempts 2x this year, used more narcan on people than I care to mention. It’s heavy duty, very sad, and yes, I think society has thrown away many of them. It’s hard to work from home when you don’t have one.

Archer · Jul 16, 2021

Walrus
I get where you are coming from but unfortunately I know some guys with traumatic brain injuries who can’t do that. Today I picked someone up from an inpatient unit, Monday he was on CV (constant visual) because he was stabbing himself in his arm with a pencil yet today, four days later he is miraculously well enough to go home, I had to put him in as he “wanted to blow his brains out” and had stabbed his arm pretty badly with a steak knife. These are the throw aways I refer to, most people keep a safe distance or are isolated from the realities of the horrible burdens these people carry many through no fault of their own. All it takes is improper brain development in the womb, genetics, whatever it may be but it’s real, it’s happening as we speak, I’ve physical intervened in suicide attempts 2x this year, used more narcan on people than I care to mention. It’s heavy duty, very sad, and yes, I think society has thrown away many of them. It’s hard to work from home when you don’t have one.

Yes, some individuals can’t, and that’s why humanity must...

pdxleaf · Jul 16, 2021

MTROIS
...so what are you concretely doing, what changes have you implemented in your life to hopefully revert the tide (no pun intended)?

.

Not enough.

But a few...

And planted all these...

Plus Leds

Because this is a watch forum, also support brands like

Last, as others have said, vote.

Jones in LA · Jul 16, 2021

pdxleaf
Not enough.

But a few...

And planted all these...

Plus Leds

Because this is a watch forum, also support brands like

Last, as others have said, vote.

Excellent, @pdxleaf ! Each individual taking small but concrete actions. As these actions are repeated by many individuals, measurable results are inevitable.

perks713 · Jul 16, 2021

I also bought one of these..

https://www.swatch.com/en-us/sigan-so28n101/SO28N101.html

Jones in LA · Jul 16, 2021

One small action we take, among a few others:

In the Western United States we are in the midst of an historic drought. Our action: as long as there is only pee in the toilet, we do not flush it. This small action has reduced our water consumption by ~25% (as reported monthly by our local water utility company).

Walrus · Jul 16, 2021

pdxleaf
Not enough.

But a few...

And planted all these...

Plus Leds

Because this is a watch forum, also support brands like

Last, as others have said, vote.

Wow that’s impressive Dave I guess i need to fess up I had to cut down three massive trees as they were posing danger to the house. It really sucked as they were big beautiful ones I tried the trimming route first but a storm had cracked them and it was just a matter of time until they were in my living room. How is the electric car working out? I really would like to go that avenue at some point. If you don’t mind me asking is it hybrid or straight electric. I make it a point to talk to Tesla drivers as I find them so interesting and then they get into showing me how mechanically they are really stripped down and “simple” (not the battery and electronics of course) I think we are seeing the writing on the wall that ICE motors will be a thing of the past. Probably not within the timespan the government mentions but it will happen. Fossil fuels are used to make electricity of course and electric batteries pose another environmental issue but we are still in the early stages I’d wager things will improve in that sector as competition increases.

perks713 · Jul 16, 2021

Jones in LA
One small action we take, among a few others:

In the Western United States we are in the midst of an historic drought. Our action: as long as there is only pee in the toilet, we do not flush it. This small action has reduced our water consumption by ~25% (as reported monthly by our local water utility company).

Or as we said growing up… If it’s yellow let it mellow if it’s brown flush it down.

Archer · Jul 16, 2021

Jones in LA
One small action we take, among a few others:

In the Western United States we are in the midst of an historic drought. Our action: as long as there is only pee in the toilet, we do not flush it. This small action has reduced our water consumption by ~25% (as reported monthly by our local water utility company).

Having lived most of my life in homes that septic systems, rather than sanitary sewers, this is something I can relate to easily...

JwRosenthal · Jul 16, 2021

Jones in LA
One small action we take, among a few others:

In the Western United States we are in the midst of an historic drought. Our action: as long as there is only pee in the toilet, we do not flush it. This small action has reduced our water consumption by ~25% (as reported monthly by our local water utility company).

perks713
Or as we said growing up… If it’s yellow let it mellow if it’s brown flush it down.

I grew up in Los Angeles during one of the worst prolonged droughts in the city’s history- this was what I was raised with. There were signs in public bathrooms that read this (I also remember having to ask my mother for a dime to use the pay toilets).
40+ years later, these conservation techniques are ingrained in me- we never flush at home unless it’s brown (of course unless we have guests). I fill the basin to shave, not let the water run, wet the toothbrush, then brush with the water off, then rinse- short showers, let nature water the lawn and keep the cut longer so it can keep its moisture, sweep the walk or driveway- don’t hose them off…these aren’t new techniques. But if you teach children that resources are indeed finite, then it will follow them as second nature for the rest of their lives.

wagudc · Jul 16, 2021

Jones in LA
One small action we take, among a few others:

In the Western United States we are in the midst of an historic drought. Our action: as long as there is only pee in the toilet, we do not flush it. This small action has reduced our water consumption by ~25% (as reported monthly by our local water utility company).

When's possible I run into the woods behind my house and pee to water recent plantings.

pdxleaf · Jul 16, 2021

Walrus
Wow that’s impressive Dave I guess i need to fess up I had to cut down three massive trees as they were posing danger to the house. It really sucked as they were big beautiful ones I tried the trimming route first but a storm had cracked them and it was just a matter of time until they were in my living room. How is the electric car working out? I really would like to go that avenue at some point. If you don’t mind me asking is it hybrid or straight electric. I make it a point to talk to Tesla drivers as I find them so interesting and then they get into showing me how mechanically they are really stripped down and “simple” (not the battery and electronics of course) I think we are seeing the writing on the wall that ICE motors will be a thing of the past. Probably not within the timespan the government mentions but it will happen. Fossil fuels are used to make electricity of course and electric batteries pose another environmental issue but we are still in the early stages I’d wager things will improve in that sector as competition increases.

You're a lumberjack and you're okay, Jim. Plant a couple in their place. Nothing like planting a tree to pass it forward.

Electric cars. I recognize there are downsides and tradeoffs. Without getting into all that, couple thoughts. This is an all electric leaf. We had two, sold the 2011. Between both we have about 60+k miles with no incidents other than a few close calls.

Our situation is not like everyone's. We are in an urban area, don't have far to commute, a mild climate (don't need the heater much), and most of our electricity is cheap and hydro. How far does it go is a big question. Rated for about 80 miles, it is more like 65, depending on speed. Highway speeds run down the battery. 25 to 45 mph with lots of red lights is great as it regenerates through the brakes. (I have actually taken short trips where I had more energy than when i started). It doesn't sound like much, but many people don't drive more than 50 miles in a day. We plug in at home every couple days. No issues. We don't drive it long trips, although some do. If you only want one car to do it all, it could be challenging. But many families have multiple cars. A motorcycle is a motorcycle, a truck a truck, a van a van. For some people, having a car like this can fit a niche. We have other cars too. When possible, we take the leaf.

Cost? They depreciate like crazy. (Ask me how I know.) You can buy a 2013 all electric car for about 7k. In my mind that is insanely cheap. (Don't get earlier than 2013). They drive great, are quick, comfortable and a real car. No oil, no exhaust, no radiator. Pretty much just brakes and tires for maintenance. Yes, batteries may need replacement but they can be recycled/reused for homes, utilities etc. We have a ways off before this is a consideration.

My daughters learned to drive in one and we adapted. We have no range anxiety and it's just a car. When we first got it i used to panic when i passed a gas station because i couldn't remember the last time I filled up and thought I was going to run out of gas. Then i remembered it was electric. That was a little wierd.

This was a bit long. I tried to keep it brief but there are many considerations. For anyone thinking about it, i would encourage you to look into it. Is it for everyone? Nope. If you have buckets of money, a Tesla is nice because it goes over 200 miles on a charge. We don't need that and it would be a waste of money for us.

There are many manufacturers building electric. We will all have more options in the near future. Hopefully the pricing will decrease and the infrastructure will be built out. When the auto was first developing, there weren't enough roads. Many were built with public money. Street cars were burnt and rail tracks ripped up to encourage using cars. Using public funds to fund transportation is not new, although it frightens some business models. It depends on the publlic will for how successful and quick it will be.

I could go on but to sum it up, they're here and they work. It's not about forcing everyone to use electric cars but instead to reduce combustion engines to sustainable levels.

Sorry for epistle.

Omegafanman · Jul 17, 2021

Foo2rama
Venus was habitable so was Mars….

That is a complex / evolving topic which does show how rare earth is. Maybe our magnetosphere is the secret. The position / size of the moon is also miraculous. Either way as the Sun goes red in a billion years Earth will be toast so we are transient here on many levels. Life is today so make the most of it... BBQ with friends for me today :0)

As an aside the upper atmosphere on Venus might be habitable....unleash the Hawkmen / Gordon’s alive...

Walrus · Jul 17, 2021

pdxleaf
You're a lumberjack and you're okay, Jim. Plant a couple in their place. Nothing like planting a tree to pass it forward.

Electric cars. I recognize there are downsides and tradeoffs. Without getting into all that, couple thoughts. This is an all electric leaf. We had two, sold the 2011. Between both we have about 60+k miles with no incidents other than a few close calls.

Our situation is not like everyone's. We are in an urban area, don't have far to commute, a mild climate (don't need the heater much), and most of our electricity is cheap and hydro. How far does it go is a big question. Rated for about 80 miles, it is more like 65, depending on speed. Highway speeds run down the battery. 25 to 45 mph with lots of red lights is great as it regenerates through the brakes. (I have actually taken short trips where I had more energy than when i started). It doesn't sound like much, but many people don't drive more than 50 miles in a day. We plug in at home every couple days. No issues. We don't drive it long trips, although some do. If you only want one car to do it all, it could be challenging. But many families have multiple cars. A motorcycle is a motorcycle, a truck a truck, a van a van. For some people, having a car like this can fit a niche. We have other cars too. When possible, we take the leaf.

Cost? They depreciate like crazy. (Ask me how I know.) You can buy a 2013 all electric car for about 7k. In my mind that is insanely cheap. (Don't get earlier than 2013). They drive great, are quick, comfortable and a real car. No oil, no exhaust, no radiator. Pretty much just brakes and tires for maintenance. Yes, batteries may need replacement but they can be recycled/reused for homes, utilities etc. We have a ways off before this is a consideration.

My daughters learned to drive in one and we adapted. We have no range anxiety and it's just a car. When we first got it i used to panic when i passed a gas station because i couldn't remember the last time I filled up and thought I was going to run out of gas. Then i remembered it was electric. That was a little wierd.

This was a bit long. I tried to keep it brief but there are many considerations. For anyone thinking about it, i would encourage you to look into it. Is it for everyone? Nope. If you have buckets of money, a Tesla is nice because it goes over 200 miles on a charge. We don't need that and it would be a waste of money for us.

There are many manufacturers building electric. We will all have more options in the near future. Hopefully the pricing will decrease and the infrastructure will be built out. When the auto was first developing, there weren't enough roads. Many were built with public money. Street cars were burnt and rail tracks ripped up to encourage using cars. Using public funds to fund transportation is not new, although it frightens some business models. It depends on the publlic will for how successful and quick it will be.

I could go on but to sum it up, they're here and they work. It's not about forcing everyone to use electric cars but instead to reduce combustion engines to sustainable levels.

Sorry for epistle.

No that’s very cool actually very practical breakdown that’s what I was looking for. Ya the leaf someone around where I work had one and I walk by on my numerous coffee runs and see then charging it. That’s good mileage anyway you cut it. I know I mentioned Tesla but that’s probably not in the cards for me but they just put in a Tesla changing station, it’s actually just like two hook ups, not even a mile down the road from me and I love the look of them but the “buckets of money thing” is a bit of an issue although I know Tesla wants to get into the everyday people market but that’s probably a while off. God is strange how gas has climbed up the past year.

I owned a 72 chevelle a while back. Damn I loved that car and I could actually work on the damn thing. Today’s cars are not that friendly to the driveway mechanic. Ah anyway always good to hear from an actually owner of the auto than reading about them.

WhiteThorn · Jul 17, 2021

Archer
Well, you would hope that humanity can walk and chew gum at the same time...

You’d hope but evidence is to the contrary.