Comments on: Climate talks in Bonn inch forward

By: Adrien

Adrien — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 08:14:50 +0000

Brian – I’m sorry I tried reading it and had to stop after the first para. Not your fault. It’s just that such farnarkling really makes your heart sink and I’d rather not know today.

By: Brian

Brian — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 23:59:45 +0000

murph, if what you say has substance it just goes to show that you underestimare the old guy at your peril. In using the term "science fiction" I was a ware that SF often heralds actual developments well in advance of when they occur. This also relates to the other post I've just put up.

By: murph the surf.

murph the surf. — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 22:30:31 +0000

“…Also manufacturing food from the component chemicals sounds like science fiction.”
And you can bet it will be done in countries where you know you will be completely comfortable with the quality control! Flavoured agar for everyone.
Why not have a pork flavoured slice of tissue culture in between those wheat flavour infused gelatin sheets? Yummy.
I think it was Mercurious who stated in a wish list( some weeks ago) that he wanted food produced in sustainable ways – ways that didn’t have an impact on the environment. I might be confusing his exact desires slightly but I can see a mentality emerging that accepts totally man made , manufactured foods from chemical plants set in managed nature reserves. We will all eat unnatural food while surrounded by largely untouched natural settings.
There are limitations to techniques like permaculture – while an attractive approach on a small area it isn’t a production method which generates a significant surplus which can be used to feed urban populations. It is currently the trend that populations are moving into urban areas not the reverse especially in asia.
Fish flavoured food stick anyone?

By: Brian

Brian — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 13:09:17 +0000

Yaz @ 14, I reckon I’d agree with that. Lovelock’s idea of putting floating pipes in the ocean to bring up cool water, I think through wave action, seemed a stretch. Also manufacturing food from the component chemicals sounds like science fiction. But on his understanding of the whole system you can’t rely on him being wrong.

By: furious balancing

furious balancing — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 12:55:17 +0000

Hannah is quite a persistent puppy.

By: Razor

Razor — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 12:44:15 +0000

China and India aren’t going to do anyhting to limit their development. Why should we cripple our international competitiveness for no measurable benefit?

By: Yaz

Yaz — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 12:08:57 +0000

Brian@11,
I don’t know whether I’d call Lovelock stupid, as such, but from my reading of his books, he seems so in love with his own Gaia theories, that he prejudges many issues. He views all issues to do with nuclear energy benignly, as if they are easily solvable, and then gets all funny about some renewable technologies, without having seemed to examine them in detail.
Give me HuggyBunny anyday. At least he seems to know what he is talking about when it comes to this stuff. I am sure Lovelock talks to many key people around the world, but does he actually listen to what anyone else says?
I want to like what he writes, but sometimes the gaps in logic or analysis seem just breathtaking. I think he understands the ecosystem side of things, but as for possible solutions… I really do not think so.

By: Aussie Oskar

Aussie Oskar — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 10:43:59 +0000

Gee thanks Mr. Sink. (can we call you that from now on?)

By: carbonsink

carbonsink — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 05:51:25 +0000

Aussie Oskar @ 10: Just embrace the dark side. Once you accept that all hope is lost you’ll feel a lot better about things.

By: Brian

Brian — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 05:32:20 +0000

Aussie, there’s a problem with Lovelock – the guy isn’t stupid. When the Revenge of Gaia came out in 2006, people thought him extreme and alarmist. Now it’s pretty much run of the mill. I’m not sure I want to read his latest just yet either.

I like what Graeme Pearman said also. Reason often acts to rationalise an emotionally based position, which is why people often change their minds about major positions they hold only after a personal experience that shakes them up.

And yes, mitchell @ 6, we’ll get into the geoengineering fast when the problem hits home. Gilding thinks we are smart enough to dig ourselves out of trouble once we get the message, but it’s going to be a rough ride. And the Holocene won’t be quite as we once knew it.