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George Monbiot calls for the largest economical and political transformation the world has ever seen:

We’re not talking anymore about measures which require a little bit of tweaking here and there, or a little bit of political tweaking here and there. We’re talking about measures which require global revolutionary change ...

We have very very little time in which to act. We have very very little time in which to bring about the largest economical and political transformation the world has ever seen.

In response to this emergency, Monbiot recently bought a secondhand Renault.

Posted by Tim B. on 08/29/2007 at 11:56 AM
  1. I’m sure George Moonbiat’s revolution will be patterned on the French, and not the American version.

    Great Terror for all dissenters in our Cowboy Cadillacs.

    Posted by Hucbald on 2007 08 29 at 12:05 PM • permalink

  2. Global revolution, yeah, that’s the ticket.  So we can turn the whole world into the great economic and social miracle that is Russia.

    Posted by RebeccaH on 2007 08 29 at 12:17 PM • permalink

  3. What a Glorious revolution it would be, if we all drove secondhand Renaults.
    I guess Moonbiat couldn’t find a Lada for sale anywhere.

    Posted by Latino on 2007 08 29 at 12:19 PM • permalink

  4. So when that’s added to the fact that we’re going to have something like a 50% increase in population, you can see that that pushes way over 90% even before you take the issue
    of global equity into account which means that the rich nationsmust cut the emissions much further than anybody else, you realize that we are talking at a minimum of a 100% cut, and it looks like it might have to go to 110% or 115%.

    A mere 115% reduction?  Bah!  One must factor in the factor that we Americans won’t be doing jack shit in reducing our CO2 production.  That means the rest of you Terrans must compensate.  A lot!

    And when you consider the fact that not only will certain Americans not do anything helpful but will actually be doing things like operating huge Caterpillar bull dozer size cars for driving to the store and such, you’ll really really need to cut back.

    I’m thinking 2000%.  Minimum!  It’s for the sake of the polar bears!  So start cutting now!

    Posted by wronwright on 2007 08 29 at 12:47 PM • permalink

  5. you realize that we are talking at a minimum of a 100% cut, and it looks like it might have to go to 110% or 115%.

    How does one cut emissions by more than 100%? I mean, if emissions, in terms of the standard unit of measurement (Wronwright’s “Gaia-wallopers”) currently works out to, say, 100gw’s, and you reduce that amount by 100%, wouldn’t that put you at zero emissions? A 110% decrease would result in, what, a black hole or something, wouldn’t it? Michael Lonie, help me here . . .

    You laugh . . .

    Ah! I knew it was a joke.


    You laugh but we’re talking about sequestration and we’re talking about such
    things for example, as growing bio fuel and burying it, simply for growing as
    much bio mass as we can and sticking it back on the ground….something…..
    anything to stave off this catastrophe
    .

    Ok, I was wrong, it wasn’t a joke. All I can say about Moonbot’s bewildering flurry of percentages and statistics is that, if he doesn’t calm down, 100% of his ass is going to find itself sitting on a rubber-padded bench in a rubber-walled room.

    Posted by paco on 2007 08 29 at 12:52 PM • permalink

  6. If Monbiot truly wants “...the largest economical and political transformation the world has ever seen”, I suggest that we stuff him into a rocket, and launch his sorry butt into the sun.

    The average world IQ will surge 30 points up.  The man seems to be a black hole for intelligence, sucking it all in, and not letting any out, not even for himself.

    Posted by The_Real_JeffS on 2007 08 29 at 01:24 PM • permalink

  7. We’re talking about measures which require global revolutionary change ...”

    George, I’m coming to see you on the first day of the Revolution, where I reckon I’ll find you cringing in a corner.

    Posted by Harry Bergeron on 2007 08 29 at 01:37 PM • permalink

  8. I’ll give Moonboy this much, at least he is not like Al the Gore who is super-sizing his carbon foot print while he lectures all us ‘little people’

    Posted by quasimodo on 2007 08 29 at 01:37 PM • permalink

  9. Wronwright: O/T, but just so you know - I had nothing to do with this. Definitely sounds like junior-minion hijinks to me.

    Posted by paco on 2007 08 29 at 02:16 PM • permalink

  10. Zum befel, mein Greenenfuhrer!

    Posted by mojo on 2007 08 29 at 02:35 PM • permalink

  11. 115% help for the environment is possible.  For example, feeding George Moonbat to the polar bears both 1) gets rid of one carbon-foot-printer and b) helps the starving polar bears.

    Do the world a double favor: feed a hippie—to the polar bears.

    Posted by rbj1 on 2007 08 29 at 02:40 PM • permalink

  12. Some village somewhere is missing a perfectly good idiot.

    I’ll personally be giving 110% to ensure a 2000% reduction in such blathering in the 50% chance that 100% of my offspring will be 90% lunatic-free in the future.  Give or take 42%. 

    *calculator explodes*

    Posted by SSG Pooh on 2007 08 29 at 02:46 PM • permalink

  13. Has anyone seen my Saran wrap?  I could have sworn I just bought a new box for the RWDB HQ break room.

    Posted by RebeccaH on 2007 08 29 at 02:54 PM • permalink

  14. And here we see the reality behind the greenies.

    The only way to save ourselves is to give ourselves over to conquest by the global internationale. Global wide 5 year plans, uniform degree of poverty for all humans, except the party elite, etc etc.

    These tards aint even slick.

    Posted by Grimmy on 2007 08 29 at 03:26 PM • permalink

  15. A Renault that lasted long enough to have more than one owner?

    Wow.

    Posted by rightwingprof on 2007 08 29 at 03:35 PM • permalink

  16. His car, parked on West Executive Avenue in a prime spot near the White House, has been shrouded in plastic wrap, with two stuffed eagles mounted on the trunk and an Obama bumper sticker slapped onto the car.

    (snip)

    The prank is a goodbye gift of sorts for Rove, who is retiring in two days.

    However members of Rove’s young White House staff are not claiming responsibility ... yet.

    Aiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiieeeeeeeee.

    That car is supposed to be clean and waxed.  Always.  No exceptions.  I’m responsible for it.

    That’s it.  I’m fleeing in the Tardis.  16th century Florence sounds real good right now.  Rebecca, if I were you, I’d be joining on the trip.  You will like Leonardo.  In fact, he probably could use a model for a painting and we could probably use the dough.  I’m not sure if he’s doing a Madonna or a nude.  Does it matter?

    Posted by wronwright on 2007 08 29 at 04:00 PM • permalink

  17. How do we cut it by 110 percent? I think Glenn Reynolds once linked to some kind of nanotechnology that would create diamonds the size of supertankers out of thin air using a twist on photosynthisis, sequestering the carbon quite nicely. The problem is that deBeers bought the technology and shreded the plans.

    Posted by moptop on 2007 08 29 at 04:13 PM • permalink

  18. Holy effin moley! Look at John Edward’s house. I think though, that he bought a prius for one of his maids and makes the gardener mow with a push mower.

    Posted by moptop on 2007 08 29 at 04:27 PM • permalink

  19. Back to your compost piles comrades.  The Revolution will be carbon neutral.

    Posted by Blue on 2007 08 29 at 04:36 PM • permalink

  20. We have very very little time in which to act. We have very very little time in which to bring about the largest economical and political transformation the world has ever seen.

    Monbiot is starting to sound like Jack Bauer on 24: “WE’RE RUNNING OUT OF TIME!!!”

    Posted by Dr Alice on 2007 08 29 at 04:58 PM • permalink

  21. Let’s see now:

    ... the profoundly pessimistic assumptions in the latest IPCC Report are insufficiently pessimistic.
    ... the collapse of the buttresses that prevent the ice from sliding into the sea …
    ... inundation of most of the inhabited world …
    ...we are talking at a minimum of a 100% cut, and it looks like it might have to go to 110% or 115%.
    We have very very little time ...

    This guy is deeply depressed and will have to scrap his car and those of all his neighbours. That may cause friction. Paco’s prediction that he will end up in a padded cell is spot on. Who will be the first global warming apocalyptologist to recommend mass suicide?

    Posted by blogstrop on 2007 08 29 at 05:17 PM • permalink

  22. The Lada has got a mention early in this chain.  Do you know why a Lada has heated rear windows?..........So you hands don’t freeze off when you’re pushing it across Siberia.

    Well. I think it’s funny

    Cheers
    RodC

    Posted by Rod C on 2007 08 29 at 05:18 PM • permalink

  23. The only time I have ever seen a Lada is in Barbados. Seems like the Russians sent them a whole bunch which they use for taxis. The drivers actually like them, or so they claim. But you have to have seen the taxi stand. It consisted of a large banyon tree by the beach with a couple of dozen phones, all of different manufacture, nailed to it. The drivers hung out under it waiting for their particular phone to ring.

    On second thought, what am I doing here? Why am I not driving a Bajun Lada?

    Posted by moptop on 2007 08 29 at 05:25 PM • permalink

  24. I’m thinking I might have to write to Mr Monbiot and let him know where to send the kool aid mix.

    And the rusty razorblades.

    And the extra lengths of hemp.

    If we’re going to reduce our carbon footprint (can someone please tell me what one of those is?), then we need to seriously cut down the population.

    I’m also going to invite him over to give talks at the local school hall, so he can explain how we have to do this or else the planet is going to die! die! DIE!!!!


    This has got to be the biggest crock of shite I’ve heard in years. This is even less believable than “I promise I’ll respect you in the morning”.

    The fact that so many meeja outlets and pollies lend credence to this crap is the prime example of how far we’ve devolved as a society.

    Posted by Nilknarf Arbed on 2007 08 29 at 05:34 PM • permalink

  25. IS the Lada the one with the dash and steering wheel from a ‘54 Chevy Bel-Air? Or is that the other one?

    Posted by mojo on 2007 08 29 at 05:37 PM • permalink

  26. This clown raises once again an issue the greens and fellow travellers tiptoe around but never come out honestly with…..their belief that the Earth is overpopulated and thus the population must be reduced by a factor of 2 or more.  Personally, IMO they might be right -Sydney was a far better place with 1/2 the present population.  However in order to push this position honestly, ethically if you will, they need to enunciate some policies to make it happen. Now there is some evidence that civilized countries have stopped breeding,whilst the barbarians reproduce like flies. If you doubt me, read M. Steyn

    If the greens think this is good -and no doubt they will think so vis-a-vis the West(as long as its not them who disappear)-let them say so publicly on national TV.  If they are worried about overpopulation wiping out, as it will, soon, the last tiger, 3-toed sloth, headless lizard or blind mullet, again let them say so, AND come out with some policies to reduce population-withdrawal of Big Pharma medicines, denial of food aid, development of the neutron bomb are some that might come to mind.  Say that publicly, and see how much support they maintain amongst the soft western middle classes -the ‘doctor’s wives’ as we say down here.

    Posted by Rod C on 2007 08 29 at 05:42 PM • permalink

  27. Nilknarf -my cheques in the mail….it seems like you and I pretty much hit the same topic at the same time…the total dishonesty of green wrt population
    Cheers
    RodC

    Posted by Rod C on 2007 08 29 at 05:45 PM • permalink

  28. Well, we could start by getting rid of our cars and tractors and going back to using horses.

    What?  They’re all dying of flu?  Bugger.

    OK, I guess we will all be riding hamsters instead.  Anyone know a good saddlemaker that can make me a hamster saddle?

    By the way, if we all went back to using horses, I presume each family would need a couple, so we’re talking billions of horses.  How much do they fart in comparison to cows?

    Posted by mr creosote on 2007 08 29 at 05:51 PM • permalink

  29. I was thinking of writing something that refuted Monbiot’s points one by one. But as simple as that would be I thought better of it and simply want to say -

    The man is an idiot and anyone who agrees with him is an idiot.

    Posted by Francis H on 2007 08 29 at 05:59 PM • permalink

  30. The rapid, accelerating and extreme anthropogenic warming of the Earth, reinforced by feedbacks, will not only cause the various “disaster scenarios” that will be catastrophic for human civilization (e.g. megadroughts that will wipe out most agriculture, loss of fresh water supplies for billions of people, inundation of heavily populated coastal zones including most of the world’s major cities) but will lead to a global ecological meltdown — a general biospheric collapse — and the mass extinction of most life on Earth.

    So, we are, in a word, doomed. There, I said it.

    Comment by SecularAnimist

    Well, we have the bad news from RealClimate, so it must be true.

    But whatever you do, don’t build a nuke.

    Posted by moptop on 2007 08 29 at 06:02 PM • permalink

  31. I’ll personally be giving 110% to ensure a 2000% reduction in such blathering in the 50% chance that 100% of my offspring will be 90% lunatic-free in the future.  Give or take 42%.

    *calculator explodes*
    Posted by SSG Pooh

    ^ encore ^

    Someone had a few too many arts subjects at scholl, and too few maths subjects.

    I’ve got a cunning plan - let’s offer to cut our emissions by 110% if he pays us, each day, double our previous days salary, for 64 days.  We’ll say our first day’s salary is $1.00.  I’m sure you can figure out the old parable, but keep it quiet!!

    Posted by peter m on 2007 08 29 at 06:15 PM • permalink

  32. bahaha I love mis-spelling skool!

    Posted by peter m on 2007 08 29 at 06:16 PM • permalink

  33. I’m looking forward to reading about the Monbiot family’s sustainable 110% carbon reduction.  And no, the article can’t begin with “Police are investigating an apparent murder suicide…”

    Posted by lotocoti on 2007 08 29 at 07:10 PM • permalink

  34. #26 Rod C

    Why, it’s already happening, as you may remember, courtesy of the ABC and the inimitable Dr John Reid.

    Oh, and George Monbiot, you just keep on ratcheting up the doomsday call, because you’ve already reached the point where most people, on reading tripe like that, will instinctively question the degree of peril you’re raving about. And psychologically, once they start doing that, warnings considerably less dire will nevertheless get greeted with a little of that terrible skepticism you fear so much. You’re OTT histrionics only serve to create a less receptive mindset, even for Guardian readers.

    Well, some Guardian readers. You could probably say the world will erupt in fire tomorrow and many will believe you - if capitalism’s the putative perpetrator.

    Posted by Dminor on 2007 08 29 at 07:19 PM • permalink

  35. #21

    This guy is deeply depressed

    He’s fucking crazy.

    #22
    Why do they have rear wipers?

    So you can see who’s pushing.

    #24

    The fact that so many meeja outlets and pollies lend credence to this crap is the prime example of how far we’ve devolved as a society.

    Devolution. (I think someone else has already coined that one.)

    Posted by kae on 2007 08 29 at 07:22 PM • permalink

  36. We’re talking about measures which require global revolutionary change ...

    #1 This sounds more like marxist utopianism - leading to bolshevism and stalinism.

    People who want to change or save the world are the world’s biggest dangers.

    Posted by Wimpy Canadian on 2007 08 29 at 07:49 PM • permalink

  37. If Moonbat and his ilk continue to not fight the islamic fundamentalists, then

    ...the largest economical and political transformation the world has ever seen…

    will certainly occur, in a way he enver expected.

    Posted by Wimpy Canadian on 2007 08 29 at 07:51 PM • permalink

  38. So what, were all the LeCars taken?

    Posted by richard mcenroe on 2007 08 29 at 07:54 PM • permalink

  39. I wanted to continue posting witty responses but unfortunately, the fact that this man is a deluded fool cannopt be hidden any more, and I was taught not to make fun of cripples.

    Posted by Wimpy Canadian on 2007 08 29 at 07:59 PM • permalink

  40. #16 You will like Leonardo.  In fact, he probably could use a model for a painting and we could probably use the dough.  I’m not sure if he’s doing a Madonna or a nude.  Does it matter?

    It doesn’t matter.  I am rather Rubenesque (a little after Leonardo’s time, I know, but the model remained the same), so I can easily do a nude Madonna.  Do you think Karl would like one for his study?  We can title it “RebeccaH had absolutely nothing to do with shrinkwrapping his car, because she was busy posing for this portrait”.

    Posted by RebeccaH on 2007 08 29 at 07:59 PM • permalink

  41. Busy.

    Posted by 1.618 on 2007 08 29 at 08:04 PM • permalink

  42. Ah, RebeccaH
    I arrived at work on Monday to find a message printed in glorious colour and left on my keyboard.

    If I were alive in Rubens’ time, I’d be celebrated as a model. Kate Moss would be used as a paint brush.

    Dawn French

    Delightful.

    Posted by kae on 2007 08 29 at 08:10 PM • permalink

  43. C’mon guys. Be fair. Where not talking Fisk here or something. The man isn’t profoundly wrong about everything. For instance:

    He explains that because of recent scientific discoveries the book needs an extreme update.

    Who can argue with that? In fact, so far up his date he could turn the pages with a knife and fork.

    Posted by geoff on 2007 08 29 at 08:29 PM • permalink

  44. Second hand Renault. I thought he’d scoot about on a cloud of self importance.

    I too have a drastic solution to AGW. Those who believe in it, must commit hari kari. Those who don’t, must continue doing whatever they damn well please.

    Posted by Infidel Tiger on 2007 08 29 at 08:55 PM • permalink

  45. ...the last time we had two degrees of warming in the Pliocene 55 million
    years ago…

    Is there a geologic method for accurately measuring temperatures, or degrees of change, 55 million years ago or is he pulling “facts” out of his ass?

    You laugh but we’re talking about sequestration and we’re talking about such
    things for example, as growing bio fuel and burying it, simply for growing as
    much bio mass as we can and sticking it back on the ground….something…..
    anything to stave off this catastrophe.

    What’s that?? He wants us to cultivate biomass vegetation and then bury it or spread it around on the ground? Does anyone know what the hell he’s talking about? Someone, I won’t say who, seems to have slipped the surly bonds of sanity.

    Did you read the first comment at the link? Oy vey.

    Posted by Kyda Sylvester on 2007 08 29 at 08:58 PM • permalink

  46. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6969122.stm

    Climate change impact ‘misjudged’.

    What do they mean misjudged?  I thought it was all fact, science and proven?  Since when was ‘judgement’ and ‘estimation’ involved?

    Posted by Baron on 2007 08 29 at 09:00 PM • permalink

  47. #46

    So that’s why runoff in catchments with large forestry plantations has fallen to buggery ?

    More vigorous tree growth leads to higher tree water use and therefore less soil water, or so I thought.

    Posted by Pickles on 2007 08 29 at 09:31 PM • permalink

  48. Wouldn’t mind more detail on that research Baron links to at #46. From the report, it looks like another case of ridiculous computer modelling. Gods knows what actual data they’re basing their predictions on. A little biological fact that CO2 and H2O use the same pores? Do we even know if levels of one affect the other? One problem with MSM articles is they never tell you anything about the research method. I think many educated people in today’s modern society have a enough knowledge to understand the basics. I checked Junkscience but they haven’t mentioned it; probably too recent for today’s post. Can’t be bothered digging further.

    Just sounds iffy.

    Posted by Dminor on 2007 08 29 at 09:38 PM • permalink

  49. I posted this over at Crittenden’s. I’d be interested in what ya’ll think concerning a fitting meal to carry the Al Gore name. In retrospect, I’m wondering if maybe sh*t on a shingle isn’t more appropriate.

    Posted by paco on 2007 08 29 at 09:48 PM • permalink

  50. How do you double the resale value of Lada Niva?


    Fill the tank ...

    Posted by BIWOZ on 2007 08 29 at 10:04 PM • permalink

  51. All right, who stole my indefinite article??

    I’m waiting ...

    PIMF

    Posted by BIWOZ on 2007 08 29 at 10:05 PM • permalink

  52. O/T sort of.

    Did I just hear correctly and residents of New Orleans are suing the Army Corps of Engineers for not building the levees correctly?linky USA Today

    Posted by kae on 2007 08 29 at 10:53 PM • permalink

  53. #16 Wronwright,
    The article said that Lord Rove was seen laughing, and the naive reporters thought this was a sign of good humor about the prank (SHUDDER).  Some junior minion is going to be in hot water, and that’s if he’s lucky.  There are worse ways to go in the VRWC than being boiled to death.

    Monbiot’s speech has stupider errors in it even than his glaring innumeracy.  He says the Earth was two degrees warmer in the Pliocene 55 million years ago.  The Pliocene was the epoch 6-3 mya.  55 mya puts one squarely in the Eocene Epoch.  These are facts easily checked by anyone with access to the Web, a public library, or an encyclopedia.  Anyone purporting to write or speak about topics relating to the Earth should know these epochs and their approximate dates.  These are very simple facts to check, and Monbiot’s failure to get them right puts into question all his other statements.  If he can’t get the simplest thing right, why should we assume he got anything else right?

    The Eocene was probably much warmer than present, considerably more than two degrees on average.  In that time alligators lived in the US Pacific Northwest.  They could never do so now outside of a zoo or aquarium.  In fact the Medieval Warm Period probably was at least two degrees warmer than at present.  A thousand years ago, historical records of Ely Cathedral tell us, the monks of Ely grew wine grapes there, 70 miles northeast of London.  Just try that today.

    #49 Paco,
    The most appropriate meal to be anmed after Al Gore?  I’d suggest an MRE, the one with the frankfurter main dish.

    Posted by Michael Lonie on 2007 08 30 at 12:37 AM • permalink

  54. #9:  It’s awful hard for us to believe you when the thing’s covered up in Polyethylene Automotive Covering Overwrap…

    Posted by Vexorg on 2007 08 30 at 01:02 AM • permalink

  55. Only a second hand Renault?  The only logical response to his sensationalism would be if he bought an ox cart, or even a hand cart circa mid 1800s. That’s the class level equivalent.
    Dost thou know what thou sayest, Georgie Boy?

    Posted by Barrie on 2007 08 30 at 01:09 AM • permalink

  56. #36 Just as well I only want to take over the world. I’m not dangerous at all.

    Much.

    Posted by Nilknarf Arbed on 2007 08 30 at 01:14 AM • permalink

  57. Doesn’t this ‘tard now commute from his new home in Wales to Oxford?
    Driving an old Frog oiler hatchback somehow makes this justifiable?
    What’s its particulate emissions levels?
    Yet another Greenie in a smokey old heap, prolly clogging up the fast lane, too ...

    Posted by egg_ on 2007 08 30 at 03:35 AM • permalink

  58. the book needs an extreme update

    I’ll bet it does

    Posted by egg_ on 2007 08 30 at 03:37 AM • permalink

  59. How many millions Georgie boy? How many millions to bring about your utopia AND save the world?

    Theres only 2 people Id trust with that calculation Georgie boy, you and me, and Im beginning to have serious doubts about one of us….

    Posted by thefrollickingmole on 2007 08 30 at 04:21 AM • permalink

  60. Kyda, he’s talking about burying shit, or spreading it around.

    Posted by aaron_ on 2007 08 30 at 09:34 AM • permalink

  61. There is a name for people like Moonbat, err I mean, Monbiot.

    Watermelon.

    Something about millions starving in order to save the “motherland” rings a bell.

    Posted by Nicholas on 2007 08 30 at 09:37 AM • permalink

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