But no one here has connected the dots and addressed the elephant in the room - climate change. In the thread in PA, folks blamed load shedding (loss of ac) and dehydration as the main reasons.
Wrong. The bulk of those who died were day laborers who could not afford to miss work. And elders without someone to take care of them.
The same was the case in Hyderabad India. It was the day laborers who had to toil in the sun.
While AC would save those who can afford it, it simply increases the suffering of the poor - since AC puts out heat. Which the poor on the street have to absorb.
While looking for stopgap measures such as ac is fine, we have to address long term root causes. How does anyone here NOT bring up climate change? When are we going to get serious about this.
We like racing our cars, wasting fuel. How about saying racing is not cool. Wasting is not cool.
In fact, if helping the poor is what religion is all about, how about those who have AC do some conservation. And decrease their carbon footprint.
The following article talks about climate change and how heat waves are predicted to be 12 times more likely in the year 2040.
Re: 2000 dead in Hyderabad India and 700 in Karachi
When did you become so based southie
It is depressing to see the evidence for climate change affect the poorest of the poor. While the more fortunate go about their daily lives. Each time I see an ashwhole idle his car for no reason, it takes considerable effort not to walk over and ask him to turn off the engine. Have done it a few times - but not too prudent.
Re: 2000 dead in Hyderabad India and 700 in Karachi
Um.. I get the Climate Change... and the deaths too.. but you know that the seeds for current climate change were sown way back..when people didnt knew the consequences to their actions.. and now when they do know the consequences its too late..
The current year is hot as per the cyclical events..
I mean we can connect all the dots we want.. and we know its definitely not the fault of depraved class.. but no one can ask the rich to give up their luxury.. obviously guilt trip isnt gonna work.. the privileged has developed a mentality of survival of the fittest and nobody can challenge that..
When a responsible country like America itself does not retify a document as important as KYOTO Protocol.. then it gives an idea how the mentalities of normal people would be.. and united states is the major believer of climate change solutions..
There are enviroment treaties signed with the inherent motive of carrying on carbon emissions in one way or the other.. countries signatory to NPT abuse it..
What I mean is..we all get how serious the conditions are.. and we all get how a basic human being act...So..all that can be done in this regard.. depends a lot on technological advancements and non conventional fuels.. rest it will be very helpful if people can understand the implications of their actions but there is little scope for that...
Baki..I support the cause... and taking time to discuss that..
Re: 2000 dead in Hyderabad India and 700 in Karachi
Agreed with everything. It starts with each of us. Each if us can and SHOULD do the best we can to curtail our carbon footprint.
While deaths are tragic, if we learn something and slow down the climate change while technological innovations are being made, that appears to be best path forward.
Clearly US is the leading emitter per capita. Europeans, Japanese and possibly Koreans also get it. The affluent elsewhere can do better. Sj!t does flow downstream.
Re: 2000 dead in Hyderabad India and 700 in Karachi
We talk of sending aid or giving to charity to help the victims of such tragedies. That is a bandaid - welcome for sure by the victims.
But it is my hope each if us here takes something more from such tragedies. Changes our own behavior. And becomes a champion of green living. And influences their circle of famiky, relatives, friends and colleagues.
Re: 2000 dead in Hyderabad India and 700 in Karachi
Well avoiding the bitterness in the OP, I think @Southie has raised an excellent point. Climate changes! And why dont we talk or do anything much about it. Agreed with the notion that Climate change has to do a lot with these heat waves in the warmer areas while blizzards in the colder areas. And it didnt happen yesterday. Scientists have been screaming on this for far too long. But the problem is not even recognized on the mass scale and the solution is very far from the reach.
Re: Climate change effect? Hundreds dead in Hyd,India and Karachi
I have not used my room Air Conditioner since 2013 for air conditioning purposes, I hope that helped. I still love the A/C once in the automobile, weather permitting.
But on a bigger scale, the effects of the weather on those less fortunate, it is sad. Even baby steps in the right direction combined with proactively providing alternative shelter from the harsher climate may allow us to reach a satisfactory point some time in the future, in terms of reversing the environmental damage.
But that dialogue does not have to wait for the bigwigs of society, it can start here as the OP intended, I hope. What are the alternatives first to provide protection to the poor from harsh conditions, and then to ensure that this does not happen again, and last but not least to undo the damage (if possible at all)?
Re: Climate change effect? Hundreds dead in Hyd,India and Karachi
That is awesome teggy - not using AC for last 2 years. You are a better man than I am.
We set thermostat high. And I don't use AC in car. Except while on highway if it is super hot. And the high speed makes it a wash between AC and window open. That happens probably 3 tomes a year.
Yes, EVERY BIT HELPS. EACH OF US CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
Re: Climate change effect? Hundreds dead in Hyd,India and Karachi
Well as much as i agree with the notion that everyone of us should contribute, it practically wont make a bigger impact until and unless there are legislations for preserving forests, controlling industrial emission and waste disposal, and also appreciation of hybrid/energy-saving appliances. So not to burst the bubble and not to discourage either, but you can do upto an extent only.
So its very important to put the pressure on Govts and get the social orgs involved in this cause
Re: Climate change effect? Hundreds dead in Hyd,India and Karachi
More cars, more generators, more air conditioners ---> life of ordinary citizen is hell.
Interestingly, those who are more involved in stealing electricity are the ones who use cars, generators and air conditioners the most. Double jeopardy.
