What did you expect from the G-8?

A quick note from Innsbruck, Austria. Internet access isn't what one is used to in the US! So I've not gotten a chance to catch up on events. Actually that is a good thing! Relaxing amid beautiful scenery and very pleasant cultural attitudes (except for the fact that every third person smokes and smoking in resturants is common) is actually quite nice.

But I did catch a report on the G-8 summit in Italy regarding the talks on climate change and what the countries are going to agree on doing about it. Not surprisingly they appear to have agreed to put off agreeing about anything substantive. What a surprise there?

The leadership of the world powers continue to disappoint me in their failure to grasp our situation and their lack of courage in standing up for real change. But then consider that real action in slowing greenhouse gas emissions means slowing and retracting economic progress in producing the gadgets and luxuries that the people in developed nations have come to expect as their birthrights, then it shouldn't surprise anyone that the 'leaders' are impotent. They got into their positions by promising the people (especially the wealthy and powerful) that they would do what would be in the interest of keeping this illusion of wealth going. Doing the right thing would be breaking their promise!

I love Europe. I love the generally easier pace of life. I love that in the evenings people get out and walk through the cities, or bike. I love the lower traffic congestion in smaller towns. I could easily live here even if it meant learning a foriegn language. But even here there is a sense that consumption of things is completely normal and justifiable. The few people I have talked to about energy and climate change do not seem to see the connection between having stuff and burning fossil fuels. Two people actually thought the whole problem was based on automobiles and the US's over-the-top life styles. They didn't seem to get that electricity generation was a bigger problem.

The average European energy consumption per capita is, indeed, much less than the average American's. Nevertheless, the average European still expects to have a lifestyle that accounts for huge consumption of fossil fuels. But the connection between having stuff and burning fossil fuels seems to be as hazy in their minds here as it is in the US. Granted I've talked to very few people, so this isn't anything like a valid sample -- just an impression. I think the greater part of this impression comes from looking in the store fronts and seeing pretty much the same sorts of products and glitz that one sees in a typical American mall.

Anyway, it is refreshing to get away from the American rat race for a bit and enjoy more of a rat promenade! I've finally gotten some time to study more Nietzsche. The more I read of his work and some interpretations of his work, the more I think he and I would have had some pleasant conversations were we contemporaries. I will probably have many more thoughts to share on this in the future.

Comments

[Brecon Quaddy]

99% of Europeans have no concept of the energy cocoon they live in, or of the impossibility of replicating the fossil fuel-powered elements of their lifestyles (i.e. nearly every part) using renewable energy.

It is noteworthy that European living standards are not as far below US standards as the difference in per capita energy consumption might seem to imply. There are lots of reasons for that, including lack of room to build energy-intensive sprawl and high taxes on vehicles, fuel and domestic energy that encourage more efficient use.

But mainly, I suspect, it is a legacy of the fact that Europeans are still, in many ways, living off the stored fat of all those centuries of imperial global wealth extraction that they enjoyed before Uncle Sam came along for his turn.

I'm having my annual bout of carbon-gorging in a couple of weeks, driving from the west of England to Austria and back (55 miles per imperial gallon is my only weak defence). Forgot they all smoke there, though.

Bugger.

[George Mobus]

Brecon,

I visited the Dom St. Jakob cathedral, the one that had been bombed badly in WWII. They restored it to its former opulance. What a site. Baroque beyond belief. Gold plating everywhere. Ceiling paintings rivaling the Cistine Chapel (in quantity, not necessarily quality!) Talk about the fat stored from a former time!

As I wondered through from one spectacle to the next I continued to be amazed at the flow of resources that went into that structure. Artistic? Yes, of course. Inspiring? Most likely so for believers. But a wise use of resources? In the long run I have to wonder. For one thing, think of all the tourists that travel long distances to gawk at the wonder (my lame excuse is that I am here for a conference!)

Of course, in this day and age we have our own forms of over-the-top opulance. We waste resources on all manner of 'fun' toys and status symbols. I wonder how long it can go on. I imagine one day when the Dom will be stripped of its wealth in a vain attempt to keep some more vital part of the local economy (like food production) going. All that art, for naught!

George
PS. The second-hand smoke isn't as bad when sitting in an outdoor cafe!

[Neven]

Hey George,

Innsbruck is not too far from where I live, so if you're in the neighborhood of Passau, be sure to drop by!

Okay, so I'm no Nietzsche. But this also means I don't have any syphilis influencing my perspective on life either. ;-)

I hope you keep enjoying Europe!

Neven

[Florifulgurator]

Oh,
and while driving to Passau make sure not to miss Regensburg, the biggest medieval town still standing (incl. some Roman walls). I could guide you around.

Martin