From: Jerry Levy (Gerald_A_Levy@MSN.COM)
Date: Wed Dec 06 2006 - 10:21:54 EST
Hans: I agree with the following except for the following caveat: whether it's 10 years, less than 10 years, or *more than* 10 years is unclear -- at least to me. Different forecasts -- using different assumptions -- have suggested different time periods. *In any event*, the emerging consensus among scientists is that the period of time before the 'tipping point' arrives is V E R Y short. So, to return to my original question, do you really think that there will be a social movement which will grow in size and strength to such an extent that the required changes happen before the Earth goes past the 'tipping point'? I am disheartened to see that many progressives don't see the *U R G E N C Y* of this issue. If it's not at or near the top of a Leftist agenda for change, then what chance do we have? If we have to rely on the goodwill of capital and the state, then I think that the Earth is doomed. In solidarity, Jerry > if I said it must be done in the next 10 years then I meant by this: > if it is not done in the next 10 years then there will be irreversible > changes to the environment which will make survival a struggle and may > lead to the extinction of the human race. Some people say we don't > have 10 years and the point of no return has already passed. The next > ten years is a historic window of opportunity which may not even exist. > > To those who predict that the changes won't happen fast enough my > answer is: we truly do not know whether humankind will save itself > from extinction. Never in history has there been such a challenge > before us. This is an entirely new situation, therefore it is not > possible to know how things will evolve. The science and the economic > resources to do it are available, and with the internet things may > change very quickly on a world wide scale, therefore it is not > entirely hopeless. But my guess is that the chances that we will be > able to meet this challenge is perhaps 5 percent. > > I am hoping that Paul's party will come out with a well thought-out > platform which is exemplary for other parties, so that similar > initiatives spring up over the whole world. And I am hoping that > despite the unpopularity of some of the measures the voters will say: > this is the only way to do it, and vote for it. You have to confront > the voters with unpopular measures in order to drive home the urgency > of the situation. Yes I am thinking of an electoral route: this is > an issue which can decide elections.
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