• Question: which generation do you feel is to blame for the majority of global warming? as we have to pick up the pieces

    Asked by aliclarkson to Betul, Bridget, Ceri-Wyn, Laurel, Maria on 23 Jun 2010 in Categories: .
    • Photo: Laurel Fogarty

      Laurel Fogarty answered on 18 Jun 2010:

      All of us! things are getting worse and worse now so I guess really all the generations alive today are the worst- it is hard to blame previous generations because they were not aware of the damage their actions would cause. They also had very few alternatives to coal and oil burning. We have plenty and we know the damage we are causing. Hopefully everyone alive today will wise up soon and start putting things right!

    • Photo: Ceri-Wyn Thomas

      Ceri-Wyn Thomas answered on 20 Jun 2010:

      Tough question! Unfortunately The Industrial Revolution set us on a course of development that used a lot of natural resources, caused a lot of pollution and emitted a lot of gases into the atmosphere that contributed to our present situation. Other generations since have continued to develop in the same way all over the globe. Back when this trend began we simply didn’t know what effect it would have on the planet. However, now we do know! So our generation is both responsible for contributing to global warming but it is also our responsibility to change this trend right now! Future generations will have this responsibility too. So I don’t think just one generation is to blame. Every generation is now responsible for finding better, greener ways to live though!

    • Photo: Bridget Waller

      Bridget Waller answered on 21 Jun 2010:

      Oo, a great question. I think we are all to blame. Every time we run a tap without thinking, take a car trip instead of walking, use a plastic bag instead of a bag-for-life etc…we are having an impact. It is hard to blame a previous generation unless we have changed enough already! I apologise if that is a bit preachy… 🙂

    • Photo: Betul Arslan

      Betul Arslan answered on 23 Jun 2010:

      I like the way you put this question: who is out there to blame, right? Unlike politics, when it comes to environmental issues somehow there is no one to blame!

      But if you insist, I think it’s the first industrial revolution (although there may be other external influences). Coal, railroad and factories started it, since they messed up with the CO2 levels. We did not exist in 1880s but we do now, and we should do everything we can to save the environment. This will sound corny but I do believe that together, we can make a difference.

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