There is no Millennium Bug cash cow any more, the new cash cow is Climate Change. Everything from wind power to solar. One can save the planet but not by saving money. ALL alternative forms of energy seem to me MORE expensive than the conventional choice.why is it 'conceit' (or beyond the bounds of reality) to think it's possible that humans are at least partially responsible for the rise in temperatures since the Industrial Revolution?
Urbanization adds to the heat sink effect but when compared to one solar flare it is still insignificant.
Agree that pollution should be reduced, that's a local environmental problem. Yes poor air quality caused by cars but still a local issue. Not many hybrid cars are plug in to allow charging from utility. This would suffice for most short distance commutes. I know plug energy has to come from somewhere but it is currently cheaper but also pollution control on larger installations is per capita cheaper.
Agree that consumption and waste needs to be addressed. I saw recently that if the whole population lived a western lifestyle we'd need two more Earths to support everyone. Also if the whole population lived a north american lifestyle we'd need four extra planets.
I think farting livestock figures largely in the methane/ozone problem.:-) Yes cows for McDonalds etc but there are millions of wildebeest on the plain of Africa etc...
One decent volcanic eruption with enough sulphur dioxide and we'll all be shivering.
Sadly working together won't work.
Still on the upside I'll be long gone before the sh1t hits the fan unless the Mayans were right.