Comments on: Why Environmentalists Will Never be Taken Seriously http://www.webs05.com/2007/08/21/why-environmentalists-will-never-be-taken-seriously.html Altruistic IT Writings Tue, 06 Jan 2009 21:52:26 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: webs05admin http://www.webs05.com/2007/08/21/why-environmentalists-will-never-be-taken-seriously.html#comment-3012 webs05admin Tue, 21 Aug 2007 23:58:28 +0000 http://www.webs05.com/2007/08/21/why-environmentalists-will-never-be-taken-seriously.html#comment-3012 They have a point on conservation and recycling, but supporting a ban on building demolitions is just pointless. Which is why they instead should just focus on the idea of recycling building materials. While it sucks to see buildings knocked down, it probably uses just as much resources to rebuild as it does to fix up a dilapidated building, as the first commentor stated. <blockquote>teel construction is stronger (though a little bit more expensive), recyclable, and as far as I know, Formosan termites can’t eat it.</blockquote> Interesting you bring this up. In my grad class last night a student mentioned how in his home land of Haiti they use more steel and concrete in buildings because of termites. I imagine in the next 20 years or so, insects will shape many different things we do. They have a point on conservation and recycling, but supporting a ban on building demolitions is just pointless. Which is why they instead should just focus on the idea of recycling building materials.

While it sucks to see buildings knocked down, it probably uses just as much resources to rebuild as it does to fix up a dilapidated building, as the first commentor stated.

teel construction is stronger (though a little bit more expensive), recyclable, and as far as I know, Formosan termites can’t eat it.

Interesting you bring this up. In my grad class last night a student mentioned how in his home land of Haiti they use more steel and concrete in buildings because of termites.

I imagine in the next 20 years or so, insects will shape many different things we do.

]]> By: decrepitoldfool http://www.webs05.com/2007/08/21/why-environmentalists-will-never-be-taken-seriously.html#comment-3011 decrepitoldfool Tue, 21 Aug 2007 23:44:03 +0000 http://www.webs05.com/2007/08/21/why-environmentalists-will-never-be-taken-seriously.html#comment-3011 Treehugger actually has a point about the energy cost of building materials. All that is necessary is to start charging for energy what it really costs in terms of cost to the environmental commons - a tricky calculation to be sure. This will make the price of bricks skyrocket and recycling will blossom. The price of copper has gone up due to scarcity and now I notice that copper pipes are carefully removed from buildings before they are torn down. I have a hunch that as the climate warms, the Formosan termite will reduce the popularity of wood construction in the Northern states. Steel construction is stronger (though a little bit more expensive), recyclable, and as far as I know, Formosan termites can't eat it. The builder made an excellent point about the energy savings of a modern home. Treehugger actually has a point about the energy cost of building materials. All that is necessary is to start charging for energy what it really costs in terms of cost to the environmental commons - a tricky calculation to be sure. This will make the price of bricks skyrocket and recycling will blossom.

The price of copper has gone up due to scarcity and now I notice that copper pipes are carefully removed from buildings before they are torn down.

I have a hunch that as the climate warms, the Formosan termite will reduce the popularity of wood construction in the Northern states. Steel construction is stronger (though a little bit more expensive), recyclable, and as far as I know, Formosan termites can’t eat it.

The builder made an excellent point about the energy savings of a modern home.

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