Envi discussions

This morning's class was just dedicated to discussion about 3 things:

1. "Energy saving for household appliance"
2. Emission trading
3. Environmental tax for fossil fuels


Regarding #1, I think there are 3 ways to achieve this:
a. improving the product designs (to be more energy efficient) - manufacturers, scientists, businesses,
b. education campaign to encourage reduced GHG emissions - government, and
c. reducing usage (i.e. natural ventilation, using "greenhouse" effect, selecting more efficient systems) - individuals and groups.

* I think in general, it will be very difficult and very inconvenient for many people, particularly in the developed world, to change their lifestyle habits, like to turn off the air-conditioners or to buy more expensive but more environmentally-friendly electric cars or and so on; but people have lived even without these things for so many centuries before our recent generations.

Regarding #2, I think again it is what I said above (*). Some people particularly in the developed nations might find it difficult to change their current "lifestyles," and agree to emission trading. But I believe if we really want to save the planet, we need to make sacrifices, or come up faster with more innovations to live more eco-friendly lives. On the other hand, emission trading might encourage developed nations to maintain their current eco-unfriendly lifestyles and developing nations to live less eco-friendly lifestyles!

Regarding #3, I think this is again another must, and it is part of my item "b" under #1 above. And again, read (*).

Another overall issue is the population problem. While in general we might be reducing individual consumption, but if the population continuously increases, then overall consumption and therefore GHG emissions could still increase.