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Facing Oblivion, Island Nation Makes Big Sacrifice
Damien1972 writes "Kiribati, a small nation consisting of 33 Pacific island atolls, is forecast to be among the first countries swamped by rising sea levels. Nevertheless, the country recently made an astounding commitment: it closed over 150,000 square miles of its territory to fishing, an activity that accounts for nearly half the government's tax revenue. What moved the tiny country to take this monumental action? President Anote Tong, says Kiribati is sending a message to the world: 'We need to make sacrifices to provide a future for our children and grandchildren.'"
How does this protect their children and grandchildren?
They'll be so poor and hungry that sex will be the last thing on their mind. Less sex, less children. Problem solved.
Has all the appearance of a "puff piece."
Of course it is, it's just another "all you people living in rich countries (especially those in the U.S.) should feel guilty for living, look how these people are willing to sacrifice" piece.
The truth is that all men having power ought to be mistrusted. James Madison
WTF... did you even bother to read the article?
Seriously? This is Slashdot. Do the editors even read the articles?
The summary talked about islands threatened by rising sea levels. People who live on tropical islands have many, many years to prepare simple structures to deal with rising sea levels (if they rise at all).
Furthermore, the idea that billions of people who don't live on tropical Pacific islands should give up leading prosperous lives to protect a few thousand people from (the risk of) having to build a 30-40 centimeter seawall over the course of the next 100 years... Well, it seems like an unwise choice.
Perhaps they think the fish will drown?
Do you even know anything about Kiribati?
Of course not. Is that a rhetorical question? Do the people of Kiribati know about me? Are they interested in my problems?
He is closing the fishery to protect fish stocks and to make a point for the world at large.
Protecting people from eating and making a spectacle. Bravo.
As for sea walls, those would do nothing against the salinization of groundwater on those islands. When your well draws sea water, you have to leave the island anyway, which is what is happening in those islands.
I admit to not knowing about island fresh water supplies. I'm not sure I believe a small rise in sea levels would automatically change ground water to salt water. Perhaps there is something constructive to be done about it. But I'm pretty sure whining and prohibiting fishing isn't a remedy.
[citation needed]
Global temps cooled and stayed there for 40 years during the post-WW2 economic boom. When carbon dioxide emissions were rising, and atmospheric co2 was rising, temps decreased.
I can go on... the warming-at-altitude problem. Greenhouse-based warming is supposed to heat the mid troposphere faster than the surface. But that's not what is happening. The troposphere is warming much slower than the surface.
The 2500 IPCC scientists who are "all in agreement"? Yeah, quite a few of those aren't scientists. And quite a few scientists didn't agree but got counted anyway.
I'm not saying AGW is impossible. It sure as hell isn't an undisputed fact. And guys like you frothing at the mouth... is that "sticking it to the man"? Toeing the AGW line is so NOT punk rock.
THL phish sticks