Top 10 Environmental Issues

Blackmask · 05-26-2007, 12:25 AM

I was at a work shop the other day about sustainability, business, environment, social, and how they are all interrelated and will be more so into the future.

One of the things that came up in that was the top 10 global environmental. The priority on each differs from country to country depending on particularly situations, here for example water is a high focus.

So I'm curious what the top issues are according to the wise people of Fanhost.

SilverSpoon · 05-26-2007, 12:28 AM

Since edawg is now gone, I will chime in for him:

Who cares

Blackmask · 05-26-2007, 12:32 AM

That would have been choice 11 but only 10 options are allowed.

**open32** · 05-26-2007, 12:42 AM

I voted for Energy. Its used everywhere and one of the hardest and most expencive problems to tackle. Not to mention it leads to half of those other issues.

**Frasier** · 05-26-2007, 03:56 AM

clean renewable energy, I would say that is the most important issue, aswell.

Blackmask · 05-26-2007, 04:11 AM

Germany has quite a strong solar and renewable energy industry don't they? Well in the scheme of the rest of the world anyway. The EU in general has some pretty tough environmental restrictions with toxins etc as well.

**MSFixR** · 05-26-2007, 07:55 AM

I'll go along with Open and Frasier. A reliably, secure, minimally poluting energy source is the top priority. With that a number of the other problems would be minimized if not solved. (What the world needs is a Deloren for everyone.)

SilverSpoon · 05-26-2007, 11:19 AM

Top Ten Environmental Tissues

**Jocasta** · 05-26-2007, 01:50 PM

As there was no limit to the number we could vote for, I voted for all 10.

Samson The Cat · 05-26-2007, 02:43 PM

^ which makes sense when the goal is to figuire out what of the options are most crucial.

**open32** · 05-26-2007, 05:11 PM

I was wondering where all those votes came from with only 9 votes.

Blackmask · 05-26-2007, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jocasta

As there was no limit to the number we could vote for, I voted for all 10.

Interesting selection from someone who is so adamant that global warming/climate change is not real, or at the very least not human influenced.

I didn't vote for climate change or Ozone depletion since I see both of these as a consequence. We can't inject ozone into the atmosphere, we have no artificial way to convert CO2, so focus on them is more a media report and awareness of consequence than anything which can have an action with it.

**Jocasta** · 05-27-2007, 04:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samson The Cat

^ which makes sense when the goal is to figuire out what of the options are most crucial.

It might have helped if there was a limit to the amount of choices.

I wasn't sure if that was obvious to everyone.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackmask

Interesting selection

My "spoilt" ballot paper? It's not such an unusual action. But in the name of science and reason, I've deleted my votes for climate change and ozone, ok?

Dark Dude · 05-27-2007, 04:39 AM

you forgot to include Val in there

**Jocasta** · 05-27-2007, 04:41 AM

Val is a natural disaster... I'm not sure if that's quiet the same thing.

Dark Dude · 05-27-2007, 04:57 AM

oh god it would be so freaking funny if val was included in this poll.

**Jocasta** · 05-27-2007, 05:12 AM

Don't tempt me!

Blackmask · 05-27-2007, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSFixR

I'll go along with Open and Frasier. A reliably, secure, minimally poluting energy source is the top priority.

I have a question for those that are listing energy as the top priority. Is it mainly about finding an alternative source of energy, less pollutants etc, or do you see reduced usage as part of that equation?

**MSFixR** · 05-27-2007, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackmask

I have a question for those that are listing energy as the top priority. Is it mainly about finding an alternative source of energy, less pollutants etc, or do you see reduced usage as part of that equation?

Both would be idea but there are only so many ways to skin a cat, i.e., so many practical sources of energy. In a free market economy, the rising price of petroleum will eventually curb usage but not before its effects have a negative economic impact as a whole. There are several alternatives to petroleum right now but they are not practical nor widely available. Hydrogen is one that comes to mind. It has two problems, safety and being able to carry enough fuel to have a 300 mile range between refuelings without significantly increasing the vehicle weight. What do you suggest, Blackmask?

Blackmask · 05-27-2007, 08:50 AM

As far as car fuels, biodiesel is another alternative but not one that could feasibly meet global demands. Solar is growing, but still a long way short of mass production. Hybrid cars are growing in popularity and different makes are becoming available. This technology of battery generation through braking combined with solar recharge the difference may be the eventual solution. LPG is an existing technology. It is still a fossil fuel so we will run out and it has the emission issues but less so than petroleum. LPG is quite popular here.

Part of the reason that petroleum dependency is a concern is that it uses crude. The lifestyle to which we have become accustomed uses crude based products, plastics are in nearly everything. Transport costs are also an inflation driver. So environmentally, economically and social crude availability and price are important.

Short term, hybrid, smaller and fuel efficient cars are the best solution. The biggest driver to getting this to happen will be fuel prices which can be artificially inflated through taxes. The damage to the wallet is much more likely to change behaviour than environmental good will.

View Poll Results: Top Environmental Issues
Climate Change	4	33.33%
Energy	9	75.00%
Water	5	41.67%
Biodiversity & Land Use	6	50.00%
Chemicals, Toxins and heavy Metals	4	33.33%
Air Pollution	5	41.67%
Waste Management	5	41.67%
Ozone Layer Depletion	2	16.67%
Oceans & Fisheries	6	50.00%
Deforestation	7	58.33%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 12. You may not vote on this poll

05-26-2007, 12:25 AM	#1 (permalink)
Blackmask Protector of Inanity Join Date: May 2002 Location: Australia Posts: 6,158 My Profile	Top 10 Environmental Issues I was at a work shop the other day about sustainability, business, environment, social, and how they are all interrelated and will be more so into the future. One of the things that came up in that was the top 10 global environmental. The priority on each differs from country to country depending on particularly situations, here for example water is a high focus. So I'm curious what the top issues are according to the wise people of Fanhost. Last edited by Blackmask : 05-26-2007 at 12:49 AM.

05-26-2007, 12:28 AM	#2 (permalink)
SilverSpoon Kamen Rider Kiva Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: www.canofnothing.com Posts: 7,555	Since edawg is now gone, I will chime in for him: Who cares

05-26-2007, 12:32 AM	#3 (permalink)
Blackmask Protector of Inanity Join Date: May 2002 Location: Australia Posts: 6,158 My Profile	That would have been choice 11 but only 10 options are allowed.

05-26-2007, 12:42 AM	#4 (permalink)
open32 Administrator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: South Florida Posts: 7,790 My Profile	I voted for Energy. Its used everywhere and one of the hardest and most expencive problems to tackle. Not to mention it leads to half of those other issues.

05-26-2007, 03:56 AM	#5 (permalink)
Frasier I.D.I.C. Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 5,110 My Profile	clean renewable energy, I would say that is the most important issue, aswell.

05-26-2007, 04:11 AM	#6 (permalink)
Blackmask Protector of Inanity Join Date: May 2002 Location: Australia Posts: 6,158 My Profile	Germany has quite a strong solar and renewable energy industry don't they? Well in the scheme of the rest of the world anyway. The EU in general has some pretty tough environmental restrictions with toxins etc as well.

05-26-2007, 07:55 AM	#7 (permalink)
MSFixR Science Boy Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Dante's Inferno, Circle 4 Posts: 9,502 My Profile	I'll go along with Open and Frasier. A reliably, secure, minimally poluting energy source is the top priority. With that a number of the other problems would be minimized if not solved. (What the world needs is a Deloren for everyone.)

05-26-2007, 11:19 AM	#8 (permalink)
SilverSpoon Kamen Rider Kiva Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: www.canofnothing.com Posts: 7,555	Top Ten Environmental Tissues

05-26-2007, 01:50 PM	#9 (permalink)
Jocasta Love Charlie Babbitt Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Shaftesbury Avenue Posts: 18,561 My Profile	As there was no limit to the number we could vote for, I voted for all 10.

05-26-2007, 02:43 PM	#10 (permalink)
Samson The Cat Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Thuringia Posts: 2,278 My Profile	^ which makes sense when the goal is to figuire out what of the options are most crucial.

05-26-2007, 05:11 PM	#11 (permalink)
open32 Administrator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: South Florida Posts: 7,790 My Profile	I was wondering where all those votes came from with only 9 votes.

05-27-2007, 04:39 AM	#14 (permalink)
Dark Dude sla-pus a bit-chus Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: San Antonio Posts: 932 My Profile	you forgot to include Val in there

05-27-2007, 04:41 AM	#15 (permalink)
Jocasta Love Charlie Babbitt Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Shaftesbury Avenue Posts: 18,561 My Profile	Val is a natural disaster... I'm not sure if that's quiet the same thing.

05-27-2007, 04:57 AM	#16 (permalink)
Dark Dude sla-pus a bit-chus Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: San Antonio Posts: 932 My Profile	oh god it would be so freaking funny if val was included in this poll.

05-27-2007, 05:12 AM	#17 (permalink)
Jocasta Love Charlie Babbitt Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Shaftesbury Avenue Posts: 18,561 My Profile	Don't tempt me!

05-27-2007, 08:50 AM	#20 (permalink)
Blackmask Protector of Inanity Join Date: May 2002 Location: Australia Posts: 6,158 My Profile	As far as car fuels, biodiesel is another alternative but not one that could feasibly meet global demands. Solar is growing, but still a long way short of mass production. Hybrid cars are growing in popularity and different makes are becoming available. This technology of battery generation through braking combined with solar recharge the difference may be the eventual solution. LPG is an existing technology. It is still a fossil fuel so we will run out and it has the emission issues but less so than petroleum. LPG is quite popular here. Part of the reason that petroleum dependency is a concern is that it uses crude. The lifestyle to which we have become accustomed uses crude based products, plastics are in nearly everything. Transport costs are also an inflation driver. So environmentally, economically and social crude availability and price are important. Short term, hybrid, smaller and fuel efficient cars are the best solution. The biggest driver to getting this to happen will be fuel prices which can be artificially inflated through taxes. The damage to the wallet is much more likely to change behaviour than environmental good will.