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As opposed to....

Religion is the narrative of fantasy.

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Yes, they find another earth-like planet, then promptly start drilling for oil, clear forests, divert and dam rivers, kill the wildlife and set up the first interplanetary McDonald’s. Science will be used, like on earth, for more efficient clearing, damming, consumption, killing and drilling. Science is but an empty tome upon which the good and evil of men is written. Science does not ask the question, “Should we?”

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Noting that I am an ardent environmentalist and also have reservations as to the fate of other bodies in the solar system and galaxy, given what is happening to this planet, I hasten to point out that science doesn’t do any of it. Science itself needs to be distinguished from technology and technology is just a tool. Most importantly, society as a whole makes the decisions as to how any tool is put to use and that tends to be driven by economics and commerce. Science denial is as much a threat to the planet as a bulldozer. Denial of environmental science and the science of climate change are the mechanisms by which, for example, fossil fuel companies and coal mining companies convince the public to allow them to do what they do. Money is the motive behind most environmental degradation, much of which takes place due to overpopulation and excess consumerism. Money is the motive behind fossil fuel use and the government policies that facilitate it. However, the same materials that build a coal-fired electricity plant or petrol-driven vehicle can be used to build solar panels and electric cars. The public chooses who they send into government to make policy decisions and make laws, what products to buy and to what use any tool will be put.

It was scientists who first alerted to the dangers of global warming and a scientist, Rachel Carson, who led the world in noting the dangers of pesticides with her ground-breaking book, “Silent Spring”. It’s scientists who lead the environmental movement, noting species extinction, habitat destruction and rising ocean temperatures.

Science and scientists are not the enemy of the environment. The general public drives the demand that science and technology follow. No individual member of the public is in a position to make all the choices needed to save and preserve the environment and many choices are beyond the control any one individual. However, if people don’t like what’s happening to the environment, they can vote for those who represent good environmental policies, protest against anti-protest laws, spread environmental knowledge and make environmentally friendly choices at the shops.

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Looking forward to the podcast!

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I've got many other problems too like when clicking on a persons reply to your first comment in the notifications section, you only view the other persons reply and a choice to reply to the reply. But you cant see the original, first comment you made so you don't know what he is going on about or what you said and thus not knowing what to type.

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Can't post images either

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Before you go any further Professor Dawkins are you sure substrack is the way to go? There might be something better out there. You probably know what you are doing.

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But we know there was no god

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