[Terrapreta] More observations on June Issue of Scientific American

[Sean K. Barry]

Hi Ron,

Yes, I really liked the "Ethics and Economy of Global Climate Change" article to.  It points out very well that the issue of dealing with the impending climate change are very complex.  I think it shows, too, that in general it is going to be real hard to expect a population that votes with 50% electoral majorities and 47% popular vote is going to crap towards making any effort to do any "suffering" or sacrifice for future people or poorer people on the other side of the world.  There is no longer any will to be "The Greatest Generation" I think.

You read Jeffery Sachs, too.  I cannot get over the thought that most are wishing it is just liberal hype and that it will fade with the election.  Even when GCC comes home to roost, head packing into the sand will more than likely occur rather than any wide spread "stepping up".  It seems that this is just not "The American Way" anymore.   Just when this seems depressing, I get the notion that somehow we need to attach ourselves somehow to the greedy, take care of me first attitude that this country seems hell bent to conduct.  We need to get oil companies and coal companies to want to make charcoal for Terra Preta, so they can continue to peddle their poison and at the same time "Save the World" from GCC and promote better agricultural productivity so we can feed people.

Without them taking the credit, they will fight us to the end.

Regards,

SKB
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Ron Larson<mailto:rongretlarson at comcast.net> 
  To: terrapreta at bioenergylists.org<mailto:terrapreta at bioenergylists.org> 
  Sent: Sunday, May 25, 2008 3:38 PM
  Subject: [Terrapreta] More observations on June Issue of Scientific American


  1.  This is to follow up on several recent terrapreta messages on the very short piece Scientific American on biochar (p39).  There is nothing new here, although it is good to see the report again on biochar coming up at the ACS meeting.
  http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=in-brief-jun-08<http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=in-brief-jun-08>


  2.  I especially liked an informative article by John Broome on differing ethics/economics approaches to climate topics.
  http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=the-ethics-of-climate-change<http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=the-ethics-of-climate-change>
      The connection to biochar is indirect - but important.  I am now more convinced than ever that we on this list should only be using low discount rates when we present economic arguments.  This is ethics trumping economics.

  3.  There is also a short one-pager on p40 by regular columnist Jeffrey Sachs on a world food crisis:
  http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=surging-food-prices<http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=surging-food-prices>
      He argues for four measures, the third of which is calling for more ag R&D - a measure that will help biochar a lot.  Sachs doesn't directly mention biochar, but my guess is that he will become an important supporter, if we can get his attention.

  4.  The Editors don't mention biochar either in their opinion 1-pager "perspectives" on p 39.
  http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=climate-fatigue&page=2<http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=climate-fatigue&page=2>
      But they do mention the upcoming Hansen Science article.  They provide strong SciAm support for the Broome article - and the need for stronger, faster action on climate.  For some reason the original Perspectives title was "Climate Fatigue", and was changed on the web to "Why Grassroots Initiatives Can't fix Climate Change".  I guess they were trying to put more pressure on the three US presidential candidates, even while expressing concern that "fatigue" may be setting in.  
      I find this particular editorial important because, like Hansen, they are emphasizing the need for speed.  This is an editorial worth quoting.  But I would take issue about their possible putdown of "grassroots initiatives".  We "grass-rooters" on this list can be important at this time by being supportive of the need for action by bigger actors (national governments) - as Sachs and Broome are also calling for.  Talking to our elected reps is an important part of what we can do, even while we make technical progress until governments catch up.

  Ron
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