2ndRateMind

Actually, they don't. Actually, they don't. Each and every species that goes extinct is the Irretrievable loss of billions of years of evolution; the genetic wisdom of life. If that risks loss, I think the precautionary principle applies, that we should do what we can to preserve it, if not for their sakes, then for ours. 40% of cancer drugs have significant input of organically derived material, for example. Best wishes, 2RM.

Perhaps because there is a significant difference between religious convictions and forecasts grounded on evidence extrapolated by science. I reject, also, the notion that environmentalism is a religion for for atheists. There may be some atheists who are environmentalists, but the moral issue that confronts us; what kind of world do we intend to leave as legacy for our children? seems to me to cross all religious boundaries. I find, as a Christian, no problem with environmentalism, and I am at a loss to understand the hostility this thread has provoked. Best wishes, 2RM.

@Mores, if you want to talk to yourself, that's fine by me. I would just note that according to folklore, it is the first sign of madness. When you wish to return to the real world, however, you will find me ready and willing to discuss. Best wishes, 2RM.

Uh huh. But don't put words in my mouth. I can substantiate all I have said. Can you? Does 'Good Stewardship' actually mean anything, and what specific activities has the concept lead to? Best wishes, 2RM.

So, I don't think it at all necessary to characterise an exchange of views in such pejorative terms. Best wishes, 2RM.

I'm not ignoring your points. I am just not convinced you have made any that are pertinent to the substance of the discussion. When you stop attacking me, and start addressing the issue, you will find I am more than willing to engage. Best wishes, 2RM.

grats. May you live and love forever in peace. Best wishes, 2RM.

Hmmm. Well there we go. You guys are allowed to dismiss the concern about the potential extinction of up to a million species as just some passing fad, but I am not allowed to infer from this attitude that in practice, your 'good stewardship' is meaningless because it leads to no effective activity. Best wishes, 2RM.

And what, precisely, does that entail, if not living within environmental constraints? Best wishes, 2RM.

Hmmm. The fact that I am interested in conversation with you, and trying to establish your views on various matters, does not mean that I forego the right to challenge those views if they seem to me to require further justification or explanation. Best wishes, 2RM.

Based on the UN report, which, we can be sure is in turn based on rigorous, credible, academically respectable, research. And I'm not sure environmentalism is a just passing fad. I've been voting green for some 35 years now, and I have to say, if more people had done likewise, we would not be challenged by the radical lifestyle changes we need to make so urgently right now. But they didn't, and we are, and I remain interested in how Latter Day Saints plan to address this issue. So far, I gather, you think 'Not at all!'. Correct me if I am wrong. Best wishes, 2RM

So @estradling75 I am not convinced that this is in the nature of a religious prophecy, more an inevitable projection of current trends in consumption of energy and land, sea, and atmospheric usage. We live in a finite world; and it makes complete sense to me to take that fact into consideration when calculating how best we might live out our lives. As for climate change, and it's effects; there is little doubt and overriding consensus amongst climate scientists that the earth is warming, due to human activity. The question is: how will that affect us? Whatever answer you come up with, from more severe storms, to the eradication of coral reefs, to increasingly large and barren desert areas, we can be sure that such effects wlll be unwelcome. To tie these two phenomena together; if we lose wild habitat that contributes to climate change (fewer tress, more atmospheric carbon). And, in turn, climate change contributes to a loss of habitat. There is a vicious cycle of irreversible decline threatened, here. I hope your own preps, at least, are in good order. Best wishes, 2RM.

So, following the UN report, published today, if we all keep on living the way we live now, we can expect up to a million species to go extinct pretty rapidly, real soon now. I wonder if this might be of interest to Latter Day Saints, and what might be your reaction to this challenge? Do we have dominion over, or custodianship of, the natural world? Best wishes, 2RM.

So, @anatess2, I would concede that 'anti-racism' might someways be ideological, rather than rational. But I do not think that it constitutes a religion. For starters, one can be of any religion, of any denomination, sect or cult, and still be either racist or anti-racist, or some compromise between. So, what is a religion, that it differs from the rhetoric around mere political ideology? Leslie Sevenson, et al, (2018) are interesting here, in 'Thirteen Theories of Human Nature' . Accordingly, religions are comprehensive world views. As such they comprise (at least) the following: A background metaphysical view of the universe, and humanity's place within it. A specific theory of human nature, in the sense of a set of distinctive claims about humanity, society and the human condition. A diagnosis of some particular defect or some several defects in humanity. A prescription to address each defect, and an ideal as to how humanity might best live out their lives. I am not persuaded anti-racism, or, indeed, racism, qualifies in any respect, except possibly the third, and so it seems to me that it is disingenuous to call anti-racism a religion. It appears to be more of a social movement, simply calling for the widespread introduction of social justice. And I, for one, can't find fault with that. Best wishes, 2RM.

So, though I aspired, I was never much of cricketer, and rather less of an army ensign or subaltern. But, embarrassing though it is to admit, I do like this poem. For me, it captures the spirit that won Britain her empire, caused so many of her sons to give up their lives unstintingly in the '14-'18 Great War, and allowed their survivors to give up the empire subsequent to the '39-'45 war, as Fascism was defeated. And, I dare say, if we can revive it, it might even be the spirit that heralds in global social justice, and the decarbonising of the world's economies. Best wishes, 2RM *Sir John Henry Newbolt, Vitae Lampada, 1892.

Yes, so did I, in my previous life. I regard them now as something akin to philosophical thought experiments, along with science fiction. What would the world be like, if vampires, werewolves, aliens, etc existed, and what should be our proper humane response? But these days, I find the complexity of the human condition so challenging, as it is, I have less need for fiction, and more for non-fiction. Best wishes, 2RM

I've done some of that, in my time, also. You get to meet a whole lot of good people. What's not to like about that? Best wishes, 2RM.

I like Abba. I can't think of anything more embarrassing than that, and it shows my age, too! In defense, I would point out that I also like Black Sabbath. Best wishes, 2RM.

Maybe a bit of BBC, too! Best wishes, 2RM.

Hmmm. I think I said that I regarded the US as a force for good in the world, not necessarily the current incumbent presiding over the regime. Best wishes, 2RM

I think I need to state this, for future reference. I regard the US as a force for good in the world. Best wishes, 2RM.

It seems even gods will get down and dirty when the situation demands. As the crucifixion demonstrates. Best wishes, 2RM.

Ha ha! You must have been watching Fox News, or listening in to Trump's tweets, or something! Best wishes, 2RM.

Since it has become relevant, I thought I might justify my small contribution to African development, with each sale. £0.84p/sale will not save the world, but through this charity I hope it will accomplish these objectives: Offset my business related carbon footprint, by locking up some carbon in trees Provide some fruit and nuts, where people need food Provide some employment, processing the produce, where people need work. Best wishes, 2RM.

Thanks all, for your various advices. I will talk to you some more, maybe later. But this in particular reminded me of a story about Alexander the Great: Apparently, Alexander and his Macedonian army had been traveling many days through the desert, and all their water was gone. Alexander sent out scouts, to find some more. Eventually, the scouts returned, with a single helmetful of the precious liquid. They offered it him. Alexander took the helmet and turned to his army behind him. And poured it into the sand at his feet, with the words: 'What use for one to drink, when so many thirst?' And that, to me, is the difference between inspiring leadership, and a pig at the trough. Best wishes, 2RM. ,