[Raptor235]

Any thoughts on how long we might have before the human race destroys itself? I hope we don't but if you look at our history, war and now the global warming all point to our race being destroyed before it can fully bloom...

[shadowbot]

I think it will be within the next 100 years or so if things continue at the rate they are going. Recently I have seen a glimmer of hope now that the mainstream media has been slowly moving in the direction of environmental awareness and so has the general public. But there are lots of other issues that need to be addressed first. I think a great question to pose would be , "when the human race finally bites it, what will be the main cause?" Pollution? Overpopulation? Pandemic? Meteor Strike? Nuclear
Holocaust?

[Protectress]

I seem to be an optimist and an idealist...I think I would have to die if I acqueised to apathy.

I believe what you and I are doing right now is very positive and will have a lasting effect. All in all, we can only do what we can but the educational movements within the last 40 years and even 140 years has done wonders. I believe with more political agency, we can help. We must make our leaders accountable and work with grassroots on a transnational and global level to help all people use their resources to the best of their ability.

What do you think?

Rachie

[Max Whittaker]

Humanity is one of the most self-destructive species imaginable. Yes it's very possible for us to destroy ourselves within the next century. But we also have great potential.

That being said, I believe society will need a serious shaking up before anything changes. Human nature is funny that way. Unfortunately, by the time the climate shifts enough to wake us up, it would be too late. It'll only take a global temperature change of a couple degrees to change the way in which humanity lives. The repairs to such a dramatic shift will take decades, if not longer to reconcile.

I think humanity will find a way to survive. The cost may be a severely reduced population and unimaginable political strife; but I tend to think we are not quite done yet.

[Raptor235]

I agree I think we will survive... I almost think that a big catastrophe would in a way help the human race... if there was a big event that would threaten the human race like a meteor hitting the earth...I think it would unite the human race and maybe that would be enough to change how we see ourselves in the universe...

[saturnsc]

Originally Posted by shadowbot

Pollution? Overpopulation? Pandemic? Meteor Strike? Nuclear
Holocaust?

Add to that list flooding/rise in sea level, climate change, and oil depletion-related issues. Perhaps famine would be a good one.

[shadowbot]

The human race does have great potential, however we have the horrible habit of going the cheap easy route in our technology. Imagine if we had utilized solar power before the gas engine had taken a grip on the world. We could have except that in the past we didnt look at the long term right away, we didnt have that kind of understanding of the damage we would do. Now society is rooted in certain habits and they are almost impossible to break. Hopefully the new technologies we develop now, we do in a forward thinking way. Changes need to be made. Look how long technology has been around for. Only a few generations. If that much damage has been done in such a short amount of time, unless something is done on a large scale very soon, it really doesnt look good.

[Protectress]

Hi All,

I'm so glad I'm speaking with other concerned naturalists, environmentalists, people for social justices, etc.

I often think too that "Only something will happen that will wake people up." A friend of mine made this comment concerning social justice in our activism class the other day where I would like to make the connection. She said that, "Something catastrophic would have to happen for Americans to unite." My thought was that when something did happen 5 years ago (aka 9/11/01), some people used this occurrence as a tool to do several destructive acts around the globe.

I also live in an area where Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita came very close to hitting us. Is this about the change in temperature? Weather changes? Whatever it was, many religious affiliations said that New Orleans was hit because of homosexual activities and the "sinning" that was going on in Louisiana with gambling, drinking, prostitution, and a way of life.

I'm a little scared to see what some people will claim what is happening if something catastrophic would happen.

What I have to say to everyone is this: Keep on educating your friends, familys, comrades, and strangers. Live a lifestyle so you can contribute in a positive way and be a role-model to others. Some follow by example but this is not enough. I will continue to educate myself and keep learning more about how our government is responding.

Thank you,

Rachel D.

[Cynic]

Educating people is important, but it must be done with facts, not just feel good stuff.

Most people have heard about Global Warming and the radical environmentalist groups have done a dis-service to humanity by trying to tie Global Warming to human activities.

This planet has been through many ice age cycles. These cycles have low temperature and high temperature peaks. Since there are no records available for these cycles, we cannot be sure of the extent of the peaks. We have some knowledge of these peaks from research, but their actual extents are unknown to us.

Some individuals have opinions, but the facts prove neither side.

The human race may be in danger, but it is from war and starvation, not the planet's normal cycles...

[Protectress]

I like your critique and I agree. What has been done in the name of protecting the United States has made me quesy on most days.