Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Kimchi Cowboy]

Let's say for a minute that this whole global warming theory is a crock.

Well, so what?

If the fear of world-wide weather-induced disasters pushes scientists and researchers to find better, cleaner, safer sources of energy that don't pollute the air and water, well... isn't that a positive outcome?

If the auto industries start coming up with new, innovative technologies to produce cars that produce fewer emissions / cleaner emissions / NO emissions, wouldn't that at least help to clear up some of the smog we all choke on while walking down the street? Who would complain about having cleaner air in their cities? Christ, I spent the months of April, May, and June in Seoul with a constant, nagging, dry cough. 5 days back in the interior of BC and it's gone. Nah, it couldn't have had anything to do with the air pollution...

If politicians finally get enough backbone to actually enforce - with real teeth, mind you - things like anti-pollution and clean-air laws, the funding and operation of nationwide recycling programs, and the provision of better health-care for the citizens of their countries (this last bit, of course, is maybe not related to GW, but what the hell, I'm feeling generous today)... well, wouldn't we all be better off for it?

If the fear of unprecedented calamities (flooding, hurricanes, disease, famine, drought...) spurs the major governments of the world to take action to help protect their own citizens and the peoples of less-developed countries, I say it's about time.

And if, as some people have claimed, this whole GW idea is just a "scam" to "...redistribute the world's wealth"... heck, I wouldn't mind that a bit. What are the stats, 10% of the world's population controls 90% of the wealth? I may not be part of that 10% (are YOU?), but after some of my recent travels, I'm seriously considering skipping one of my holidays this year and donating that money to relief organizations instead.

I guess essentially I'm hoping that mankind is approaching the point of our sociological evolution when we'll finally realize that the acquisition of ego-boosting material goods (c'mon, who really NEEDS a Porsche Cayenne?) and the pursuit of personal riches are essentially vain, foolish endeavours, and that we, as a species, should probably be spending more time, money, and energy in looking after our Earth (we've only got 1, after all) and in helping out our fellow brothers and sisters. Yeah, it's all a bit Star Trek, but I can dream, right?

Unfortunately, I'm also too much of a cynic to believe that we're "there" yet. Personally, I think it's going to take a number of large-scale catastrophes around the globe to spur any real action from the aforementioned 10% (corporations and politicians, mostly, I imagine). I figure another 8 or 10 "Katrinas" within a 3-5 year span ought to get someone's attention.

Unless, of course, it's all just a scam after all.

[giggles84]

i think the world is getting warmer...the average temperature has risen in the last 50 year worldwide. what this means we have more extreme weather more snow in shorter periods, i.e. heavy snowloads in matter of hours, heavy rain etc. i think warming temperatures are both through natural causes and man made. think about smoking. u get lung cancer without smoking. if u r heavy smoker it is likely that u will suffer lung cancer at a younger age. if stop smoking after a few years it is likely u ll be able to extend a few years to u r life but there is a very possibility of having lung cancer earlier than the average non smoker. if we cut CO2 emmisions we will be able to prolong the earth's atmosphere suitable to human beings (that is if we don t get invaded by aliens or a commet or astroid blows us up or we blow each other up). if not we ll probably see the earth becoming unsuitable for human beings to live on. but be realistic with the effects of cutting C02 emmisions. it is still likely we ll see rising sea level and extreme weather. it will just be slowed down a bit. a bit like playing a dvd in slow mode. sorry about the stupid rant...am just excited to be comming to korea!!!