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The Overstory


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Do you think an environmental crisis is underway? If so, do you think the planet can still recover?

Created: 07/26/19

Replies: 19

Posted Jul. 26, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
davinamw

Join Date: 10/15/10

Posts: 3442

Do you think an environmental crisis is underway? If so, do you think the planet can still recover?

Olivia asks Adam, "Do you believe human beings are using resources faster than the world can replace them?" Later, Patricia says that her book was written when the "planet [was] still young enough to rally." Do you think an environmental crisis is underway? If so, do you think the planet can still recover?


Posted Aug. 05, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
nancyl

Join Date: 04/21/14

Posts: 39

RE: Do you think an environmental crisis is underway? If so, do you think the planet can still recover?

Absolutely - we can still recover if everyone takes it seriously and acts responsively.


Posted Aug. 05, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
paulak

Join Date: 04/21/11

Posts: 264

RE: Do you think an environmental crisis is underway? If so, do you think the planet can still recover?

Yes. The optimist in me hopes we can find a way to band together and make a solution. The pessimist in me fears we have reached the tipping point and are off on a drunken odyssey of self-delusion.


Posted Aug. 05, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
KelHydra

Join Date: 08/05/19

Posts: 17

RE: Do you think an environmental crisis is underway? If so, do you think the planet can still recover?

Yes. I'm a pessimistic-optimist regarding climate change. I think we are already too far gone to make the kinds of systemic or societal changes needed to stop the current climate crisis. However, as my husband, who is an environmental scientist, likes to remind me when I get depressed about the state we're in - the thing that all of these climate projections don't take into account (and really can't because we can't see the future) is the possibility for future technological breakthroughs that may help.


Posted Aug. 07, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
susiej

Join Date: 10/15/14

Posts: 363

RE: Do you think an environmental crisis is underway? If so, do you think the planet can still recover?

KelHydra's point about future technological breakthroughs is a good and positive one, and in addition to that I like to believe that while my generation may have been slow to get moving in this regard, as we have been teaching the need and necessity for making changes for some time now, younger generations are much more open to embrace the need and the practice of doing so. It is my hope that in some small way this may help.


Posted Aug. 07, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
janeb

Join Date: 10/09/18

Posts: 49

RE: Do you think an environmental crisis is underway? If so, do you think the planet can still recover?

Yes and yes. Perhaps technology will help as Kelhydra says. I place my faith in the environment’s ability to
heal itself if given a chance. There is an eco-community in Cuba that was previously an area where farmers made charcoal. The making destroyed the landscape and yet, over time everything has grown back abundantly.


Posted Aug. 07, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
davinamw

Join Date: 10/15/10

Posts: 3442

RE: Do you think an environmental crisis is underway? If so, do you think the planet can still recover?

I have little doubt the earth can recover. Geologically speaking, it's survived much worse than humanity has inflicted on it so far. The question is not whether it can recover but if it can do so in a time frame that is comfortable for us and the generations to follow.


Posted Aug. 07, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
paulak

Join Date: 04/21/11

Posts: 264

RE: Do you think an environmental crisis is underway? If so, do you think the planet can still recover?

Davina, so happy to hear your opinion!


Posted Aug. 07, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
ruthiea

Join Date: 02/03/14

Posts: 271

RE: Do you think an environmental crisis is underway? If so, do you think the planet can still recover?

I do think we are in crisis, and I do not have much faith in politicians effecting true change - the damage that has been done is astounding, and the opposition to regulation is disheartening to say the least. The fact that some countries have rolled back laws and regulations is frightening. I always wonder what diseases all those extinct species could have cured! Sadly I do not have much faith in the direction the world is taking...


Posted Aug. 08, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
EllieB

Join Date: 08/07/19

Posts: 3

RE: Do you think an environmental crisis is underway? If so, do you think the planet can still recover?

The current rate of extinction for species is 1,000 times the natural rate. I think we'd have to be burying our heads in the sand to deny there is an environmental crisis. The planet's health is hanging in the balance and could possibly be redeemed if every country in the world got on board and made necessary changes. Sadly the cynic in me can't see that happening. The planet itself will endure, though in what state remains to be seen.


Posted Aug. 12, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
ARR

Join Date: 08/12/19

Posts: 3

RE: Do you think an environmental crisis is underway? If so, do you think the planet can still recover?

The short answer is yes; and maybe. Throughout human history, we have placed a symbolic value on trees, attaching them to gods, fertility, seasonal changes, and so on. And yet with the dawn of industrialization, the profit imperative reigned supreme. Trees that were valued for building materials were logged, and those that served as barriers to capitalist enterprises (livestock, palm plantations, building developments) were destroyed, creating a cascade of troubles for living organisms large and small in these ecological niches. As long as this system persists, I do not see large-scale change in the face of our current environmental crisis, unless we make large scale changes to our economic system. Humans created the system and humans can change the system.


Posted Aug. 12, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
laurer

Join Date: 11/20/14

Posts: 25

RE: Do you think an environmental crisis is underway? If so, do you think the planet can still recover?

I'm not sure. So much depends on the citizens and their leadership in many nations making the right decisions.
I anxiously hope our planet will recover but I suspect our generation would not recognize our earth easily afterwards. It could become something so wonderful for future generations.


Posted Aug. 13, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
paulagb

Join Date: 08/16/17

Posts: 173

RE: Do you think an environmental crisis is underway? If so, do you think the planet can still recover?

It is apparent that all those responding believe we are in crises. So do I. The question may not be can the earth survive, but what will survive and in what form? Will the human race survive? Possibly. Will it survive as the dominate force? Hmmm, perhaps the earth would be better off if the answer turns out to be no.


Posted Aug. 14, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
kimk

Join Date: 10/16/10

Posts: 889

RE: Do you think an environmental crisis is underway? If so, do you think the planet can still recover?

I've always thought human beings are just mammals, and as such are every bit as vulnerable to extinction as the dinosaurs were. I think we have the ability to avoid an extinction event, but I'm not sure our societies have the will to act before it's too late for our species. It's expensive, and it seems like those who have the means to make changes don't want to invest the money.

The planet, though, has a surprising ability to heal itself. I live within a couple of hours of Mt. St. Helens, which erupted in 1980, and also near the Columbia Gorge which was impacted by a tremendous wildfire a few years ago. Both areas, which seemed blackened and devoid of life, are recovering.

So I do believe that Earth can recover from whatever mess we make, but I'm not sure people will be around to see it. Perhaps the AIs we're creating right now will take better care of it once we're gone!


Posted Aug. 18, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
dianaps

Join Date: 05/29/15

Posts: 460

RE: Do you think an environmental crisis is underway? If so, do you think the planet can still recover?

Paulak I love your answer! Our environment is so important and has been so neglected for way too long. This book has been a good reminder of why trees are necessary to our survival.


Posted Aug. 20, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
BuffaloGirl

Join Date: 01/13/18

Posts: 208

RE: Do you think an environmental crisis is underway? If so, do you think the planet can still recover?

I absolutely believe we are in an environmental crisis; climate change, plastics overtaking oceans, animal species becoming extinct at a higher rate than ever before, etc. I tell myself that I can do my part; recycling, being responsible about energy consumption, etc., but that our government and the entire globe must immediately make changes. I don't want this to become a political post, but we must have leaders who are informed (i.e. read, rather than brag about not reading), care about the world that we live in, but more importantly that our children, grandchildren, and future generations will inherit, and are not focused on keeping the wealthy happy and rich.


Posted Aug. 22, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
jwbriggs13

Join Date: 05/09/12

Posts: 37

RE: Do you think an environmental crisis is underway? If so, do you think the planet can still recover?

Yes. I believe we are seeing the impact of humans who, at first, didn't understand the impact of their numbers and their new technologies--think the horrible choking air of the industrial London of Dickens, and by the later 20th century decided to ignore or postpone addressing the damage we were inflicting on the planet. As developing countries strive to achieve the life style of developed Western countries and Western political and business leaders choose to ignore the mountain of scientific evidence proving climate change as they chase votes or quarterly profits, the environmental clock is ticking. Are we watching the 6th extinction?


Posted Aug. 23, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
gdlenehan

Join Date: 06/22/11

Posts: 41

RE: Do you think an environmental crisis is underway? If so, do you think the planet can still recover?

Yes, I do think an environmental crisis is underway. Unfortunately, many people and even whole countries do not realize that we have to make difficult decisions to save our planet and pants and animals.


Posted Aug. 23, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
rebeccar

Join Date: 03/13/12

Posts: 548

RE: Do you think an environmental crisis is underway? If so, do you think the planet can still recover?

I definitely think an environmental crisis is underway. Melting Arctic ice has added to rising sea levels; example: Miami has been pumping water out of streets for some time now - not much news coverage of that. It took almost a month for televisions news to have a mention of what is going on in the Amazon. 30 seconds of coverage and then some free stories lifted off social media about a driver that seems aslepp at the wheel and a repossessed vehicle in another part of the USA. Yes, an area of Cuba that was used for charcoal did recover, but the people looked at barren, terraced fields and started planting trees. The plastic garbage in oceans and its effect on sea life is frightening. Yes, I do believe that areas are capable of recovering, but the big question is- can it now be done in time to avoid terribly negative impact on human life, animal life, plant life? If you've traveled the world, you've seen the frightening changes.


Posted Aug. 26, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
westernabuelita

Join Date: 08/26/19

Posts: 1

RE: Do you think an environmental crisis is underway? If so, do you think the planet can still recover?

I sincerely hope to be wrong, but I do believe that we may have passed the point of no return. At almost eighty years of age I have seen how people will get stirred up about the environment/climate change for a while and then backslide into their same old patterns.


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