Mar 5 2013: I had never heard of biochar before, but it seems like a sustainable solution, tackling both soil fertility and carbon pollution. Is this a realistic solution to implement on a larger scale? The few research plots they are testing seem pretty small. Also, is this product available for homeowners to improve their lawn/garden fertility, while knowingly or unknowingly improving the environment at the same time?
Mar 5 2013: Is it possible to use bad for good? To demonize, say Democrats, in order to get people on board for sustainable change? Or would that just backfire and leave us back where we started, only with more hatred and reluctance?
Mar 5 2013: I think the first step is moving away from what you pointed out- the argument about what/who is to blame, and instead move towards acceptance. For even those who do not believe we are the cause of it, or even that the problem is something so dangerous it deserves the name of Global Warming, cannot deny that our earth is in need of some help. (Or maybe that's just me being hopeful?) If we got the help of big companies making big moves (not necessarily big sacrifices), taking social responsibility, maybe more people would follow. There are facets to a solution out there, like this live stock strategy, that are making real change, that if we did even minimal reporting on it on stations like FOX, do you think more people would begin to believe that there is hope for meaningful change and sustainability?
Mar 4 2013: What would be some non catastrophic motives for improvement? More and more we hear of incentives for recycling, for buying fuel efficient cars, or energy star appliances. Are these incentives enough to inspire this race to space or do we need to do more?
Mar 4 2013: Turkle argues that the reason we are afraid of conversation is that it is uncontrollable. With texting, emailing, and the like, we are able to edit what we say so that we can present our best possible self. We are always seeking more control in our lives and in our world, but when does this control backfire? It seems it has with the teenage boy who texts all the time but earnestly wants to learn how to have a conversation.
Mar 4 2013: How would we start this "race to space" scenario? Is the catastrophe you questioned necessary? Or do you believe the world is capable of coming together in peace?
Mar 4 2013: Everyone is always saying how teens these days don't know how to have meaningful relationships or even conversations because they are always stuck behind a screen. I think this is a very pessimistic and narrow-minded view that ignores the meaning online social connections can add. Yes, teens need more practice face to face, as these sorts of interactions aren't going away. However, as the world is evolving, relationships are too, and this isn't necessarily for the worse. With facebook, we can stay connected with friends, sustaining lasting relationships, as long as we use these social networks responsibly and sparingly. We can even make connections like these, discussing ideas on Ted.com that are beginning to shape the world! Do you believe that this may be a new era of relationships and social connections, or that social networking is a fad that is a detriment to face to face conversation?
Mar 4 2013: I agree that something catastrophic must occur to wake America and the world up to dangers of climate change, however, this is not as pessimistic as it may seem. (In fact, it does offer some hope!) In 1989 as the Soviet Bloc was falling, Cuba was cut from many trade ties, it's GDP plummeting, and its resources scarce. In the midst of this crisis, the Cuban people and government banded together, enacting real change and implementing sustainable practices, such as organic agriculture, biking as the main source of transportation, and the use of alternative energy to power the economy. Today, Cuba is an example to the rest of the world of how sustainability can be good for the economy, of how these changes are exactly what we need to reverse climate change. What sort of hope do you take from this example? Do you think this sort of "banding together" and "real change" is possible in larger, democratic nations like the United States?
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A reply on Conversation: What are other ways we can take an astonishing solution (livestock) to reverse climate change (once caused by that very solution)?
A reply on Conversation: What are other ways we can take an astonishing solution (livestock) to reverse climate change (once caused by that very solution)?
A reply on Conversation: What are other ways we can take an astonishing solution (livestock) to reverse climate change (once caused by that very solution)?
A reply on Conversation: What are other ways we can take an astonishing solution (livestock) to reverse climate change (once caused by that very solution)?
A reply on Conversation: Does a catastrophic event need to occur, for people to demand cleaner energy?
A reply on Conversation: How do you build offline meaningful social connections?
A reply on Conversation: Does a catastrophic event need to occur, for people to demand cleaner energy?
A comment on Conversation: How do you build offline meaningful social connections?
A comment on Conversation: Does a catastrophic event need to occur, for people to demand cleaner energy?