Learning circles around the world

Hello everyone,

I was navigating in different foruns and faced this post of a Jeremy, a new member of AIESEC in Sydney, Australia, talking about a learning circle they had. Here is goes:

"One of the first things talked about was whether "climate change" has been over-hyped by researchers and the media. There was a general consensus that the focus has been justified.

Is nuclear energy a substitute for coal power plants? The federal government recently launched a review into the use of nuclear energy to reduce greenhouse emissions.
- Mixed responses.
- If it reduces the amount of greenhouse gases, isn't that a good thing?
- What about ethical issues regarding the increased enrichment of uranium (and exports), storage of waste?

We then moved onto the Kyoto Protocol
- Is it just a piece of paper? Does signing it carry any weight?
- It was raised that the main reason Australia hasn't signed is because of lost jobs and the effect on the economy. We thought this was quite short-term thinking. (Think of the children!!!)
- If economy is a problem, why have many other developing and industrialised countries still signed the agreement?
- Is it fair to have different standards for industrialised and developing countries?
- Good to establish ethical and sustainable practices in developing countries

The next topic after that was based on ACTION. What can individuals do?
- Reduce car usage
- Use "green bags" instead of plastic
- Debatable- Use green energy (from renewable sources)-- More expensive than normal energy. So where's the benefit for the consumer?
- Efficient light bulbs

Long-term effects of climate change:
- Perhaps this is why it's hard for people to act? It seems so far off.
- Impact of environmental refugees from the Pacific - Australia is the likely destination for refugees in the region. Is it ready to accommodate them?
- Variable weather-- Droughts--- This will have a huge effect on agriculture and the industry."

Good stuff!!!