Eighth Continent made of Plastic

I just noticed your fairly new here, how did you put the links on your discussion. I was told we couldn't do that til we reached 500 posts? Any help? mucho gracias!!! tdemex

Yeah, it's crazy! My partner and I were considering moving to San Diego, since she is crazy about the surf there, but when we researched it and saw how bad the pollution was in the waters there, we were like "forget it". It's just pure crazy. Everyone blames the environmentalists but don't realize that our environment is totally being ruined by corporations, mass production and toxic runoff. It's horrible. As far as the links/URLs go, well, I type them in myself. It's a real royal pain, but they seem to work, amazingly. I type them in, then copy them out to make sure that they are correct. I just can't cut and paste them, which really sucks. Soon soon ...

you know, I have to say, I drink a lot of bottled water. So every time I buy a bottle of water - I know I'm contributing to the plastic problem. It really bothers me. It's like we're trapped in a whole dependence on plastics. At home I try to avoid using plastic as much as possible, but, it's insidious, it's everywhere. Obviously I'm failing. I'm typing on a keyboard made of plastic at this very moment ...

well for starters any and all of the global warming peoples. take yer pick as to which one. they continally spout about the wrong "facts" that were readings taken from faulty equipment, have been proven to be wrong, the person who reported the findings has appologized for the wrong findings.. etc etc etc.. but those environmental groups are still screaming its the 11th hour.. the world is on the brink of destruction.. and they quote these already proven wrong readings as their "facts" (ie, blatantly lie) the general public doesnt really bother to check up on these sposed "facts" to learn the truth.. nd swallow everything those sposed "experts" are spouting and wind up in a panic over it.. which is exactly what these organizations WANT from the ublic.. it furthers their cause and it brings in donations to pump their revenues.

I have to say, I really still am not aware of any specifics that you're refering to. I do know that it can be difficult to blame global warming for any specific events - such as increased hurricanes such as we've experienced here in Florida, but there is certainly evidence of global warming that is undeniable. The unexpected breaking of the ice shelf in the artic: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16390346/ Another interesting tidbit about the intersection of science and politics are these stories: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,357065,00.html http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1779634,00.html http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=4151246 But regardless of the polar bear example, which is clearly a political touchstone for people on the right and left, here is probably a better discussion regarding the merits of global warming - it's called "Beyond the Ivory Tower: The Scientific Consensus on Climate Change" http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/306/5702/1686 To sum up - this article basically says, in examining research regarding global warming, that the scientific community is pretty much in agreement that global warming exists. Now what to *DO* about it, that is left to the politicians. But for politicians to imply that the research on global warming is speculative or uncertain is, according to this article, simply and outright wrong. I'm sure everyone might remember the movie "The Day after Tomorrow" - and it's highly speculative concept of global warming pushing the world into the next ice age at a super fast rate. Leave it to Hollywood to speed things up a bit to make it a bit more exciting for a 2 hour movie. While most of the science in the movie is completely hokey, it does portray some insteresting ideas, that, while not plausible on the scale portrayed, do have some (ever so slight) relevance, such as the possible shutdown of the ocean conveyor belt http://www.grida.no/climate/vital/32.htm . So there is some debate among scientists whether or not global warming will possibly trigger the next ice age, or rather we'll just be dealing with greater warming, rise of ocean levels, continual depletion of the current beach lines, etc. Of course, that stuff doesn't happen on the scale/speed presented by that movie, but rather over hundreds of years perhaps. Who knows. Time will tell. But yeah, I don't know ... I guess I need to see some specific examples of a claim that is spurious. I know that theres a lot of right wing propaganda that tries to dismiss global climate change and thus dismiss human responsibility (particularly corporate responsibility) and insists that the science isn't there, when it is and scientists repeatedly say that it is. Or perhaps I'm just another tree hugger touting the party line. I enjoy a good discussion and like to be educated on issues, so if I'm missing something, please let me know. I take absolutely no offense to a disagreeing perspective. :)

I have to say that I'm not all that familiar with any particular groups using fear tactics as a way to "get people to notice" ... or, I guess what I mean is, every "cause" has its fringes that are kinda extreme and overly believe in their cause and ring the bells of doom and gloom. But I have to say I'm not familiar with what you're referring to regarding fear tactics and blatant lies an misleading lies. I'm curious now ... No worries about being misunderstood. Ultimately, you are right, any group that uses underhanded and deceitful methods to get out their message ultimately discredits their message and their organization. I guess I'm just not enlightened as to what groups or actions you're referring to specifically, and I'm eager to be enlightened... :) Peace