Growing Public Apathy on Climate Change Topic Worries Scientists

[gigastar]

Im of the opinion that we need a mass extinction event anyway.

Well then you'll be happy to know we're living one.

I meant that humans needed a mass extinction event.

To what end? And why?

People are saying the oddest things in this thread.

If nothing else, it will force the issue that we brought our own doom upon ourselves.

Assuming theres anyone left to care, that is.

It will also bring a much needed culling of the human population.

I am very, very glad that you're not in a position of political power.

As if theres anywhere in the world where i could pull that shit uninterrupted.

 

[Cowabungaa]

Do you think caring and interest are the same thing? I mean, I care about the issue but I'm not particularly interested in it. I haven't really heard anything new in years besides the whole changing it from global warming to climate change.

I would think caring would presuppose some sort of interest, but I suppose they could be separate of each other depending on your interpretation of each word.

But in that case, I think this article does presuppose that caring equals interest, at least on some level. And I'd say that that's the case in general too or at least the point of the article; people don't really care about climate change any more.

What actually annoys me most about this is that, because I think most of this is irreversible, we should be thinking about how to cope with said climate change. But that seems to be a topic that's nowhere to be seen on the public agenda. And ignoring that is even more dangerous in the long run.

 

[Dragonbums]

They keep predicting DOOM DOOM DOOM, but nothing is happening. The first warnings said the sea level would have risen by 1 meter by now, obviously nothing has happened.

People are starting to ignore the bullshit.

Only the stupid would be naive to think major climate change happens in 2 months.
We are spelling DOOM DOOM DOOM but at 30 years from now. Not that it matters whether the public cares or not because the great glaciers of the poles are already melting at an alarming irreversible rate and we expect to see New York a good couple of feet under water in a couple of decades. So keep ignoring the "bullshit" until it knocks on your front door.

 

[Dragonbums]

Im of the opinion that we need a mass extinction event anyway.

Well then you'll be happy to know we're living one.

I meant that humans needed a mass extinction event. But yeah, you got a point there.

Except that the only people who are going to by dying from it are those who are already suffering from climate change effects and don't have the means to leave. Meanwhile fatcats USA can continue to show fake sympathy for the deaths all the while watching a debate about whether this is actually a result of climate change.

 

[lacktheknack]

Hint: It's the same reason that no one takes Harold Camping seriously.

As a Christian, I DO believe that Jesus is going to come back and the world will end, and it's important that we be ready. This doesn't mean that I support Harold Camping doomsaying, and he's just making everyone look bad by being alarmist.

Does anyone, even most Christians, care about being watchful for the end times now? No, not really.

It's the same story with climate scientists and media outlets.

 

[lacktheknack]

They keep predicting DOOM DOOM DOOM, but nothing is happening. The first warnings said the sea level would have risen by 1 meter by now, obviously nothing has happened.

People are starting to ignore the bullshit.

Only the stupid would be naive to think major climate change happens in 2 months.
We are spelling DOOM DOOM DOOM but at 30 years from now. Not that it matters whether the public cares or not because the great glaciers of the poles are already melting at an alarming irreversible rate and we expect to see New York a good couple of feet under water in a couple of decades. So keep ignoring the "bullshit" until it knocks on your front door.

You're also being alarmist and spouting nonsense.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Current_sea_level_rise

I question how New York will, as a whole, be under a couple of feet of water in twenty years if the sea is only going to rise about two inches.

 

[Dragonbums]

They keep predicting DOOM DOOM DOOM, but nothing is happening. The first warnings said the sea level would have risen by 1 meter by now, obviously nothing has happened.

People are starting to ignore the bullshit.

Only the stupid would be naive to think major climate change happens in 2 months.
We are spelling DOOM DOOM DOOM but at 30 years from now. Not that it matters whether the public cares or not because the great glaciers of the poles are already melting at an alarming irreversible rate and we expect to see New York a good couple of feet under water in a couple of decades. So keep ignoring the "bullshit" until it knocks on your front door.

You're also being alarmist and spouting nonsense.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Current_sea_level_rise

I question how New York will, as a whole, be under a couple of feet of water in twenty years if the sea is only going to rise about two inches.

You claim me spouting nonsense and yet you are unaware of just how major it is for the sea to rise just 2 inches. 2 inches is enough to put whole areas under water. It's bad enough when it rises by milimeters.

http://ocean.nationalgeographic.com/ocean/critical-issues-sea-level-rise/

http://www.npr.org/2014/05/21/314281317/for-n-j-mayor-the-time-to-adapt-to-rising-sea-levels-is-now

 

[templar1138a]

For a number of us, it's simply a matter of, "I know. But what the hell do you expect me to do about it?" Sure, I recycle, I don't waste power, but I'm not capable of making the decisions that need to be made, and those that are don't care.

 

[Fdzzaigl]

In my opinion, environmentalists (and I count myself as one of them) need to stop the alarmist attitude and bring a positive message, otherwise nothing is ever going to change before it's too late.

Instead of telling people that they're bad bad naughty kids who use too much energy and produce too much waste, we should come up with positive solutions that people WANT to adapt because they're good for them.

For example: supermarkets here stopped giving out thin plastic bags altogether, instead they gave everyone a sturdy, reusable and environmentally friendly bag. No one complained about missing their little thin plastic bags that were frequently thrown into nature that way.

Similarly, better insulation for housing, renovating old residences with durable techniques and investing into geothermal energy / solar panels on an individual basis can be very positive if it's supported.
The same with locally grown food and support for smaller (non-monoculture) agriculture businesses.

The message should be that we can stop this thing if we work together, it shouldn't be that the situation is hopeless. People tire of that, you see the same thing with media messages about wars worldwide (especially Syria currently).

 

[lacktheknack]

They keep predicting DOOM DOOM DOOM, but nothing is happening. The first warnings said the sea level would have risen by 1 meter by now, obviously nothing has happened.

People are starting to ignore the bullshit.

Only the stupid would be naive to think major climate change happens in 2 months.
We are spelling DOOM DOOM DOOM but at 30 years from now. Not that it matters whether the public cares or not because the great glaciers of the poles are already melting at an alarming irreversible rate and we expect to see New York a good couple of feet under water in a couple of decades. So keep ignoring the "bullshit" until it knocks on your front door.

You're also being alarmist and spouting nonsense.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Current_sea_level_rise

I question how New York will, as a whole, be under a couple of feet of water in twenty years if the sea is only going to rise about two inches.

You claim me spouting nonsense and yet you are unaware of just how major it is for the sea to rise just 2 inches. 2 inches is enough to put whole areas under water. It's bad enough when it rises by milimeters.

http://ocean.nationalgeographic.com/ocean/critical-issues-sea-level-rise/

http://www.npr.org/2014/05/21/314281317/for-n-j-mayor-the-time-to-adapt-to-rising-sea-levels-is-now

This doesn't excuse you from LYING and saying that

we expect to see New York a good couple of feet under water in a couple of decades.

Tell the truth, say what you know, don't embellish.

 

[Zato-1]

In my opinion, environmentalists (and I count myself as one of them) need to stop the alarmist attitude and bring a positive message, otherwise nothing is ever going to change before it's too late.

Instead of telling people that they're bad bad naughty kids who use too much energy and produce too much waste, we should come up with positive solutions that people WANT to adapt because they're good for them.

For example: supermarkets here stopped giving out thin plastic bags altogether, instead they gave everyone a sturdy, reusable and environmentally friendly bag. No one complained about missing their little thin plastic bags that were frequently thrown into nature that way.

Similarly, better insulation for housing, renovating old residences with durable techniques and investing into geothermal energy / solar panels on an individual basis can be very positive if it's supported.
The same with locally grown food and support for smaller (non-monoculture) agriculture businesses.

The message should be that we can stop this thing if we work together, it shouldn't be that the situation is hopeless. People tire of that, you see the same thing with media messages about wars worldwide (especially Syria currently).

Aye. The problem is that even then, not all answers are easy ones- you mention geothermal and solar energy, but they're very expensive and the other clean, commercially viable energy source is pretty controversial- nuclear.

On the plus side, there's now a very interesting alternative to the old uranium reactors as far as nuclear energy is concerned:
http://www.economist.com/news/science-and-technology/21600656-thorium-element-named-after-norse-god-thunder-may-soon-contribute

 

[Whispering Cynic]

It's simple: unless people live in areas which would be most affected by global warming (and see the rising sea levels themselves), they simply don't care. They are being told about the approaching doom all the time, that the sea level may rise a meter or two in a hundred years or whatever. But it's something they can't really see, can't really put into perspective (well most of them can't, or don't want to). And given the fact that they will likely be long dead when this issue becomes relevant for them, I can't blame them for not giving a damn.

And I'm still not convinced about the extent of human influence on the climate. I will be certain, in thirty to fifty years... for now the policy of IDGAF remains in effect.

 

[tangoprime]

They keep predicting DOOM DOOM DOOM, but nothing is happening. The first warnings said the sea level would have risen by 1 meter by now, obviously nothing has happened.

People are starting to ignore the bullshit.

Only the stupid would be naive to think major climate change happens in 2 months.
We are spelling DOOM DOOM DOOM but at 30 years from now. Not that it matters whether the public cares or not because the great glaciers of the poles are already melting at an alarming irreversible rate and we expect to see New York a good couple of feet under water in a couple of decades. So keep ignoring the "bullshit" until it knocks on your front door.

The problem here is, they've ALREADY been saying it'll happen in a few decades for a few decades, and I think people are starting to view it the same way that people regard religious doomsayers saying the apocalypse will happen in 1981, then 1992, then 1999, then 2000, then 2012, etc., etc. pushing the date.

Time Magazine, 1987
I did my best to try to find a Nat Geo Magazine article picture I remember seeing from the late 1980's that showed a flooded New York and predicted it would happen within 30 years, then post the 2013 cover showing the Statue of Liberty up to her waist in water due to the ice caps melting within the next few decades. Couldn't find the original, however.

 

[BoogieManFL]

Im of the opinion that we need a mass extinction event anyway.

Well then you'll be happy to know we're living one.

I meant that humans needed a mass extinction event.

To what end? And why?

People are saying the oddest things in this thread.

If nothing else, it will force the issue that we brought our own doom upon ourselves.

Assuming theres anyone left to care, that is.

It will also bring a much needed culling of the human population.

If there is I hope it's restricted to people with warped minds like you. Sorry your life has been such crap that you feel that is what needs to happen, but maybe it's people like you that are really what you despise.


Back to the thread, something a lot of people don't understand is that it means nothing that you don't notice the problem. You're small. Your perceptions are limited. The planet is huge and ancient, these effects take time to occur and permeate through such a vast area. 20 years. 50 years, 100 years.. These are seconds to the earth.

If they are right and we don't fix it fast enough, just think how the people int he future are going to look back at us like we're neanderthals that ruined everything with our ignorance.

 

[Dragonbums]

They keep predicting DOOM DOOM DOOM, but nothing is happening. The first warnings said the sea level would have risen by 1 meter by now, obviously nothing has happened.

People are starting to ignore the bullshit.

Only the stupid would be naive to think major climate change happens in 2 months.
We are spelling DOOM DOOM DOOM but at 30 years from now. Not that it matters whether the public cares or not because the great glaciers of the poles are already melting at an alarming irreversible rate and we expect to see New York a good couple of feet under water in a couple of decades. So keep ignoring the "bullshit" until it knocks on your front door.

You're also being alarmist and spouting nonsense.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Current_sea_level_rise

I question how New York will, as a whole, be under a couple of feet of water in twenty years if the sea is only going to rise about two inches.

You claim me spouting nonsense and yet you are unaware of just how major it is for the sea to rise just 2 inches. 2 inches is enough to put whole areas under water. It's bad enough when it rises by milimeters.

http://ocean.nationalgeographic.com/ocean/critical-issues-sea-level-rise/

http://www.npr.org/2014/05/21/314281317/for-n-j-mayor-the-time-to-adapt-to-rising-sea-levels-is-now

This doesn't excuse you from LYING and saying that

we expect to see New York a good couple of feet under water in a couple of decades.

Tell the truth, say what you know, don't embellish.

Where is the lie? There was a recent report saying that the melting of the iceburgs is now inevitable. And they noted that in a couple of decades we could see a rise in the ocean by inches. Which is why I said- in a couple of decades (whether that be 30-90 years from now) New York (which is already at a pretty low sea level to begin with) will be seeing itself underwater.

http://www.theweathernetwork.com/news/articles/melting-of-west-antarctics-glaciers-pass-point-of-no-return/27340/


You tell me to say what I know, and you keep going on about things you don't know.

 

[Johnson McGee]

Seems to me that there's an inherent flaw with using Google Trends to gauge interest in something. People will search for things that they want to find out about, so when 'Climate Change' first appeared as a common term, people googled it to find out what it is; but now they know what it is so they don't need to google it as much.

In addition, as the symptoms progress from the nebulous concept of 'climate change' to actual events people are going to start searching for that instead. I would want to see the results of searches for 'climate change' as well as 'ice cap melting', 'wildfires' and 'floods' before definitively declaring that public interest is waning.

Aside from all that though, it's a shame that the warnings about 'in 50 years the sea level will rise a bit' were the ones that got popularized when a more convincing (and more reliable) argument would have been 'wildfires, droughts and floods caused by changing weather patterns will cost billions in infrastructure spending and make food prices increase in the very short term.'

 

[Dragonbums]

They keep predicting DOOM DOOM DOOM, but nothing is happening. The first warnings said the sea level would have risen by 1 meter by now, obviously nothing has happened.

People are starting to ignore the bullshit.

Only the stupid would be naive to think major climate change happens in 2 months.
We are spelling DOOM DOOM DOOM but at 30 years from now. Not that it matters whether the public cares or not because the great glaciers of the poles are already melting at an alarming irreversible rate and we expect to see New York a good couple of feet under water in a couple of decades. So keep ignoring the "bullshit" until it knocks on your front door.

The problem here is, they've ALREADY been saying it'll happen in a few decades for a few decades, and I think people are starting to view it the same way that people regard religious doomsayers saying the apocalypse will happen in 1981, then 1992, then 1999, then 2000, then 2012, etc., etc. pushing the date.

Time Magazine, 1987
I did my best to try to find a Nat Geo Magazine article picture I remember seeing from the late 1980's that showed a flooded New York and predicted it would happen within 30 years, then post the 2013 cover showing the Statue of Liberty up to her waist in water due to the ice caps melting within the next few decades. Couldn't find the original, however.

That still doesn't mean it's not going to happen. We are seeing these very effects happen to other people around the world. One island is even having to think of plans to evacuate the entire island because the sea levels have risen to dangerous levels there. http://www.earth-policy.org/plan_b_updates/2001/update2


What's our fantasy, is a lot of people's reality. It's hard to predict exact whether change time periods, but there is no denying that it isn't happening. And when it does come to the US, New York-being one of the places with the lowest sea level will be affected first.

 

[MrHide-Patten]

Well I suppose it's because everybody could almost be a damn near expert by now on the subject; fossil fuels are bad, people fucking like rabbits increasing the worlds population is bad, and powerful companies that make billions of traditional power methods arnt going to let their money disappear... and cows are brain dead farting assholes.

If being green we're more economically viable in my area I'd do it only if it lowered my bills. I turn stuff off when I'm not using it not to save the planet, I'm doing it more me so I can eat next month, dang it. They should lead the shit with that.

 

[MrDumpkins]

To be fair, the public's opinion doesn't mean a whole hell of a lot when it comes to public policy. If politicians and corporations want climate change laws, there will be climate change laws. If politicians and corporations don't want climate change laws, there won't be climate change laws. Public opinion be damned.

Basically that, there are too many billion dollar corporations that would lose a lot of money if the world decided to go green. And in America they own the media and government so of course nothing is going to be done about it.

Best example I can give is Jimmy Carter decided to install solar panels on top of the white house to show that America is ready for progress. As soon as Ronald Reagan came in he tore them down because they were a joke. Carter thought reducing reliance on foreign oil and harnessing the power of the sun was the future. Reagan thought that corporate interests would dictate what would be right for the people. President Obama put them back in which is a good thing, too bad he hasn't done more about it.

 

[Shamanic Rhythm]

They keep predicting DOOM DOOM DOOM, but nothing is happening. The first warnings said the sea level would have risen by 1 meter by now, obviously nothing has happened.

People are starting to ignore the bullshit.

And were those warnings by scientists, or media reports that poorly paraphrased the scientists for click bait headlines?

Seriously, people need to learn to distinguish between the two.