tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8434369190746987531.post3890756471307687807..comments2023-11-05T23:07:01.842+11:00Comments on Grog's Gamut: Oh Earth Hour, why do you waste so much energy?Greg Jerichohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04956402439870441083noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8434369190746987531.post-45944672021673443762011-03-27T10:58:36.764+11:002011-03-27T10:58:36.764+11:00There are several other problems associated with i...There are several other problems associated with it as well - for one, the message its sending is that the way to solve this problem is to revert back to victorian era lifestyles - it plays right into the paranoia/fear-mongering of deniers "those greenies want to send us all back to the dark ages, reversing human achievement, blah blah". The real issues should be about efficiency, reducing waste and overconsumption, moving to cleaner energy sources. We should be showing people that acting on climate change is part of human achievement and progress to a cleaner future, not contrary to it. You could make the analogy of comparing industrial revolution era society, efficiency and pollution to the current day, and that we need to keep making big steps like that.<br /><br />The other thing that gets me is the inevitable conclusion of many people who turn off their lights - to light candles instead, which are a much less energy efficient form of lighting even compared to incandescent bulbs, and would emit far more greenhouse gases than the efficiencies of scale of burning coal!*<br /><br /><br />*I haven't done the math but I think it's a very reasonable guess.Matthttp://mke3.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8434369190746987531.post-60876987787560344652011-03-26T20:57:35.576+11:002011-03-26T20:57:35.576+11:00Yeah Greg, good points. I actually agree with boy...Yeah Greg, good points. I actually agree with boynxdor and also with your response. I know people that started with the first Earth Hour, had a trendy party with their friends on the night, then after that started a quite extreme recycling and re-use scheme at home, and have continued ever since. <br /><br />However you are so right about what's really needed. Doing Earth Hour and a few things at home, and then voting Liberal is tragic. Maybe we need a campaign - Did you observe Earth Hour? Did you vote Liberal? Here's why it doesn't make sense!LissettaVnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8434369190746987531.post-74526564523410117322010-03-29T12:36:52.750+11:002010-03-29T12:36:52.750+11:00Countries responsible for over 80% of emissions ha...Countries responsible for over 80% of emissions have signed up to targets for the Copenhagen Accord. This is over twice as much coverage as the Kyoto Protocol.Peter Woodhttp://climatedilemma.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8434369190746987531.post-19247914345340450972010-03-28T12:56:31.353+11:002010-03-28T12:56:31.353+11:00I understand what you're saying Soop - but whe...I understand what you're saying Soop - but when you say "Earth Hour is just a form of protest, you can see it is effective by how much media coverage it is given". I disagree - how effective it is should be measured by how much political/social change it engenders.<br /><br />I'm not suggesting we'll ever be able to "convert" Bolt and his ilk. But what we need are campaigns which are so effective that Bolt and his followers will be seen to be the flat earthers that they are, and those who are on the fence will come over to the side of science and reality.<br /><br />The Deniers are fighting the political war much more effectively than is the environmental side (yes they get help from a mendicant media). They are convincing people that either nothing needs to be done, or that we only need to be a bit more efficient - the direct action bullshit propogated by Abbott.<br /><br />I have no problems with people participating in Earth Hour - but what is it achieving? Today's Sun Herald had a couple page coverage of it - mostly containing a pic of Sami Lukas. <br /><br />Nothing in the coverage mentioned anyone saying pressure needs to be applied on Governments here and around the world to bring in effective climate change policy. It was all about "if we work together" nonsense. <br /><br />If Earth Hour is only conveying a message that if we all just turn off a few more lights things will be ok, then we might as well ask the fairies at the bottom of the garden to come up with a climate change policy.<br /><br />My point again - the WorkChoices campaign worked because it changed votes - Earth Hour changes nothing.<br /><br />It promotes a laudable ideal, but it is a poor political strategy.Greg Jerichohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04956402439870441083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8434369190746987531.post-64914069908384283432010-03-28T12:10:47.176+11:002010-03-28T12:10:47.176+11:00Further to my anonymous comment.
I think where the...Further to my anonymous comment.<br />I think where the government got it wrong was in not understanding clearly what the success criteria were. On the one hand there was a need to design a process - an ETS or some such and on the other was the actual targets to be set. In mixing the two up the level of complexity was increased to a level where senior journalists, talks how hosts and commentators were all shaking their heads saying "too complex".<br /><br />1. Coverage<br />The coverage could have been staged, starting with stationary energy and working through the rest of the industries. The fact that agriculture was even being discussed was silly because the ability to measure let alone for the sector to do much meaningful with the results was not available. This allowed the discussion to get side tracked and there were points of view being put forward such as "If you have a thousand cows emitting X GHGs, the only way to reduce emissions is by reducing your herd." This then meant valuable time spent in trying to calm everyone down. similarly, enormous effort went into the EITE sector. <br /><br />2. Compensation<br />So without having a scheme agreed there was a rush to the trough for compensation! The EITE industry, the resources sector all lined up and wanted to be compensated. Again this discussion could have been avoided by a step by step approach that would have seen a scheme established, a process agreed and the scope set within which these discussions could be held. Instead, compensation became the main argument and the scheme design was being tweaked to offer better terms to all the stakeholders.<br /><br />Scheme design and the scaffolding holding it up became the main game rather than getting it through and the politics of it. In another world and at another time this might have been sensible but not now and not here.<br /><br />I agree there is not much point in crying over spilt milk but the opportunity is for the strategists within Labor to see what they can do after the next election. The scheme is in its current state too big and too complex. Politically, it would be better to split it up and go after the big bad coal burners in the first instance, limit the fight but implement the programme. Once there is a scheme construct up and running it makes it easier for the layers to be added on. Bear in mind the EU ETS at present only covers stationary energy and transportation is under discussion for inclusion from 2013. <br /><br />Ultimately, no one has won. Industry is waiting for "certainty". There are some tens of billions of dollars worth of investments held up, particularly in the energy sector.<br /><br />And we haven't reduced GHGs by one tonne!Apunoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8434369190746987531.post-29771472827274330632010-03-28T10:27:55.407+11:002010-03-28T10:27:55.407+11:00Whilst what you are saying is for the most part tr...Whilst what you are saying is for the most part true, I still think it is missing the point. The general public can only do so much - we can really only vote or voice an opinion.<br /><br />Voting in the Labor Government didn't achieve what many hoped for global warming - so voicing an opinion becomes the only other option. Earth Hour is just a form of protest, you can see it is effective by how much media coverage it is given.<br /><br />It can never change the mind of people like Bolt, but for those who are undecided - the media coverage, or opportunity for one scientist to speak on this day could be a deciding factor.<br /><br />What instead would you have us do? I would gladly have a CPRS or similar mechanism - but my vote is already cast on that - should I rather sit quietly until there is a political party capable of winning government that agrees with me? It could be a long wait.Super Opinionhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00732952546720127326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8434369190746987531.post-41403591722092869592010-03-27T22:46:33.816+11:002010-03-27T22:46:33.816+11:00Hi Grog
I have been reading your blog for a while...Hi Grog<br /><br />I have been reading your blog for a while and had to comment today because of the topic. The developed world is largely made up of people who are decent. Give them an issue, a fair rationale and they will run with it. Ethiopia, Erithrea, AIDS, kiddy fiddlers in Cambodia - you name it and the boundless good that resides in people reaches out to try and undo the harm.<br /><br />With climate change, we have an issue where the most significant thing an individual can do is vote for the side that wants to legislate action and bring about systemic change.This is an issue where the individual effort, be it turning lights off once an year, paying to neutralise your ticket on a holiday are just about worthless. They are good in so far as they allow individuals to feel good, but in terms of the global GHG emissions - nothing.<br /><br />Unless there is a systemic response that begins to provide an economy wide answer all the rest is simply tokenism. If we are not willing to get brown and black coal power generators to become part of the solution - there will be no solution regardless of how much the good and honest individuals wish to make a difference.<br /><br />Hope this illustrates the fallacy of voting Green and ending up supporting Fielding, Joyce and Minchin in the senate rather than get some (no doubt limited) action started.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8434369190746987531.post-76741249110209218272010-03-27T22:26:21.243+11:002010-03-27T22:26:21.243+11:00You may be right boynxdor, but I think we should b...You may be right boynxdor, but I think we should be past the "first step" when it comes to climate change activism.<br /><br />I don't think writing a letter to MPs will do much - that's not the type of lobbying I was thinking about. I would advocate a much more pointed and policy driven campaign. <br /><br />I must admit I am not an expert in such things, but I'd argue Workchoices didn't become such a powerful issue because of the protest days at the MCG, but because of the incredibly effective ad campaign run by the ACTU. <br /><br />I have to say I do agree with you that the one area that Earth Hour is good is in raising awareness with kids. My 6yo daughter learned about it in school and it certainly got her interested in the issue.Greg Jerichohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04956402439870441083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8434369190746987531.post-84138139532850642782010-03-27T21:51:37.921+11:002010-03-27T21:51:37.921+11:00Hi Grog,
Well for the most part I pass by your bl...Hi Grog,<br /><br />Well for the most part I pass by your blog and agree with what you say but rarely comment. <br /><br />In this instance I also agree that Earth Hour is not everything it is cracked up to be but on this occasion I think it is a valuable reminder to Joe public. It gives them a chance to feel and see for their own eyes that they can make a personal difference. Its almost a tactile thing unlike an election every 4 years where their vote may or may not have made a change something they believe in.<br /><br />Earth Hour as you point out is a fun way for people to demonstrate to their friends and neighbours that they do care about something. Yes they should write a letter to their MP but thats not so obvious and no where near as fun. Its also a fun activity for parents to share with their kids who will ultimatly be the ones to suffer if we don't change.<br /><br />I agree that symbolisim won't change the world but often its the first step to greater acceptance and change.boynxdornoreply@blogger.com