Climate Change Conference

The weather: Britain's favourite topic of conversation. This article appeared in the Telegraph yesterday, and the Brits are in their element discussing it! 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/earth/paris-climate-change-conference/12025836/Paris-climate-conference-10-reasons-why-we-shouldnt-worry-about-man-made-global-warming.html

Denial continues. 
People in China are walking the streets with masks.  Carbon emissions are affecting the Chinese in great numbers causing hospitals to be filled to capacity.  Even without scientific evidence, and evidence exists, common sense would tell us that if it affects the air we breathe, it is a serious problem.  Forget the ice melting, the seal levels rising, increase in temperatures or trees dying along the highways due to carbon emissions.  When crops are affected and our food supply is diminished, it may be too late to take action.  People get so upset by exposure to cigarette smoke or second-hand smoke, yet these same people will ignore the effects of emissions from automobiles.  The subject of climate change is about as controversial as gun control.  I'm waiting for someone to claim that if you don't breathe, the polluted air won't affect you.

I am with Abe on this one.

12/2

                         Just saw this AM on CBS News , Norway has it above all countries in the world
   including the USA ! They have more electric cars than anyone, if you buy one you pay no 25%
   sales tax, they have all over their capital electric chargers to charge your car for " FREE," they
   also allow electric car drivers to drive on the highway in the speed bus lane, now that's progress
   and why can't the USA be like this, we could have in 1978 after the oil embargo, but no the auto
   industry has Congress by the short hairs and in their pockets with tons of money I also include
   the oil industry ! If I could I'd move to Norway ... Here's the video !
http://www.cbsnews.com/live/video/series-of-govt-incentives-to-fight-climate-change-in-norway/
  

                                                        Cheers.Joe....

Electric cars sound good to me, Joe! 

Shelagh wrote:

Electric cars sound good to me, Joe! 

Me too.

Joe, we are a country that changes like the weather.  Oil prices go up and people start thinking about more fuel efficient cars - smaller cars.  There was once a push on electric cars and then oil prices went down and it was all forgotten.  The manipulation of oil prices was done by the oil companies to keep the need for oil in place.  The technology has been around for many years, however it was never pushed by the government.  Private industry just won't do it since it means fighting big money.
I read some time ago where new inventions as alternatives to fossil fuels were purchased by the oil companies to keep them off the market.  

I don't think it will happen enmasse, but rather by individuals taking the initiative.  Price is the problem for many.  Those who can afford the big luxury cars are not about to lead the pack with efficiency.  When the government wants to to something, they provide incentives as was done in Norway.  The problem in America is that incentives usually go to large firms and not to the consumer.  It can happen if we scream loud enough.  I think the timing is good with the efforts being promoted with climate change and clean energy.

Joe,

I am glad you had a good Thanksgiving and made it home safely.

Bill Gates has the clout to bring attention to the problem.  As he pointed out, governments must support the initiative.