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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Sustainability

A reader notes: Many of the Christians in the USA think Jesus’s return is not far off, thus a huge disincentive for long term sustainability.

I actually ran into a fellow who told me that we was rooting for the apocalypse, but this level of extremism must be somewhat rare.

Having said that, religious people of all stripes tend not to be too into sustainability, for the very reason that their belief system doesn’t rely on things like science and evidence, and that God’s plan, whatever that might be, is infinitely more powerful than anything humankind can do.

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Electric Vehicles

Here’s what auto enthusiast Jay Leno says about the EV adoption curve, i.e., that they should be used during the week for low-speed commutes, where your “426 Hemi that gets 9 -11 mpg” can be taken out on the weekends.

Well, he’s wrong.  Very few American drivers want two cars: two sets of maintenance schedules, two registration fees, two insurance policies, etc.

As costs come down, range anxiety disappears, and consumer options grow, we can expect a steady replacement of gas- and diesel-powered vehicles with EVs.

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Fossil Fuels

Here’s a faux advertisement for Chevron.  It’s not unlike “Exxon Hates Your Kids,” but it’s longer and better.

 

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Sustainability

Here’s a fabulous episode of the widely syndicated radio show Fresh Air, featuring ProPublica investigative reporter Abrahm Lustgarten discussing the crisis of water shortages in the American west.

Climate change has brought about severe and apparently unending droughts here.  We all hope for a year of heavy rains that fill up some of our depleted waterways and reservoirs, but after these many years, there have been nothing but disappointments. (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Science

Here, author and neuroscientist Sam Harris explains why it’s useless to argue with the MAGA crowd.

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Sustainability

I believe this was true when Bertrand Russell said it in 1926, in his lecture that was later transcribed into the essay “Why I Am Not a Christian.”  It’s certainly less so today, given the statements and actions of Pope Francis.

After 1600 years of hellish behavior, the Roman Catholic Church is now led by a true humanitarian, who’s heading the charge toward tolerance, peace, inclusion, compassion, social justice, and environmental responsibility.

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Climate Change

From Clint Eastwood: People say that we must leave a better planet to our children.  The truth is that we must leave better children to our planet.

I would say that both are true.  Of course, as a true right-winger, Eastwood doesn’t believe in things like climate change mitigation or environmental stewardship in general.  That level of ignorance is, simply, a shame.

But he’s certainly right about better children.  I hope in earnest that my children will turn out to be more empathetic, more involved, and tougher fighters for justice than I have been.  Of course that’s not what Eastwood meant, but who cares?

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Sustainability

FWIW, I side with the existentialists on this matter.  I.e., I hold that there is no purpose or meaning to our lives other than that which we convey onto it.

Obviously, many people disagree.  Some believe God has a plan for them, while others think that life actually does have a purpose, and that it’s up to them to find it.

Throughout my life, friends have told me that my view is horribly gloomy and dismal, but I counter that I create a great deal of purpose to my daily activities and that I maintain a high regard for the value of my life.

 

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Politics
The word of the day in yesterday’s Wordle was USURP, and a young friend wrote:  Usurp????  Lol what the heck is that?
My response:
To usurp is to seize something illegally, usually power.  “By trying to overturn the results of the 2020 election, Trump is attempting to usurp the U.S. presidency.”  You can quote me on that, BTW.
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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Politics

Here’s a challenge: look at this video, and then try to imagine a context that makes this anything other than aggravated battery.

Assuming that the victim survived, these people should serve 10-year prison sentences.

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