Global Kids do Global Warming

This week is Global Kids' first birthday in Teen Second Life, which suprised me as I thought they had been around for a lot longer.  To celebrate they have been running special events.  Last night we saw the trademark GK volcano errupt, and this evening we were treated to an interactive glacier that shows how the sea levels rise as the glaciers melt.  It was a fantastic session, with Rafi (one of the adult members of staff) asking interesting and challenging questions. 

For the second part of the event, platforms appeared, one central one, and three others with textures that said either 'agree', 'disagree' or 'not sure'.  Rafi said out a statement and the rest of us had to stand on the platform that fitted how we felt.  We had to be prepared to defend our position too.

I was VERY impressed by the kids involved.  They were attentive, made great points, supported each other, valued each other's comments, and occassionally corrected the facilitator's typing politely so that the meaning was understood by all.  If kids were getting distracted by scuttering crabs or trying to find promotional jackets, other kids were politely suggesting that they should pay attention or get back on topic.  A couple of kids had to leave during the debate and they were really disappointed.  There was a real enthusiasm for the event, and at the end kids were asking how long the glacier would be staying and when the next events and debates would be. ... and this was all voluntary - no compulsory education involved at all.

If you would like to read a transcript from the event this is continued below.  I've shortened it from 38 pages to 15 by taking out conversations not related to the debate and everyone's (SL) surnames have been removed. 

The three main statements that are debated are:

• Global Warming is a problem that is too challenging for the global community to deal with.
• Reducing carbon emissions to safe levels won't be possible because it will hurt the economy too much.
• It is the responsibility of governments, not of individuals, to make sure that the global climate crisis is solved.

FYI Rafi, Tabathia, Mercury and myself were the only adults in the conversation.

[13:03] Rafi: On the main grid there's an organization called the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association and they have a whole sim dedicated to looking at all sorts of stuff related to the environment. This year’s Global Kids annual conference is on the topic of the environment, so in honor of that, we thought we'd ask NOAA if they'd help us to move this massive glacier from the main grid to the teen grid! And they agreed, because they love each and every one of you. :D and think that it's important for you all to learn a bit about the environment. So, that's story of how the glacier got here. But now that it's here, what of it?

[13:06] Rafi: Can I ask one of you fine teens to hit the animation on this puppy? and show us a bit of what it does? There we go!

[13:06] Rafi: So, using /me raises hand, can one of you tell me what happened, and what it's illustrating?

[13:06] Elgion: wow

[13:06] Daniel: wow

[13:07] Jay raises hand

[13:07] Rafi raises hand

[13:07] Elgion: /me

[13:07] Rafi: Jay?

[13:07] Ryou: Oooh.

[13:07] Elgion: /me

[13:07] Jay: Global Warming has affected ice glaciers just like this in real life, even to this extent!

[13:07] Demon raises hand coz they all did

[13:07] Ryou: o_o

[13:07] Tas: I got a great snapshot

[13:07] Rafi: So what happened when the glacier melted?

[13:07] Rafi: Demon?

[13:07] Jay: This is an illustration of the damage this is doing.

[13:07] Jay: Flood!

[13:08] Rafi: Gereat Jay!

[13:08] Elgion: Polar Bears are dieing because they are losing the Glaciers they have they're homes on

[13:08] Rafi: Yup, the water levels rose.

[13:08] Tas shouts: When the glacier melted the water level rose quite rapidly

[13:08] Rafi: This is true Elgion.

[13:08] Daniel: wow

[13:08] Rafi: But there are also other things that contribute to rising sea levels

[13:08] Rafi: Take a look at the sldie to my left

[13:08] Rafi: your right!

[13:09] Rafi: This slide here offers some reasons why the sea level changes.

[13:09] Elgion: Also people have said that the World Sea Level can raise up to 20ft of water

[13:10] Rafi: So, fkrom the slide what are some other reasons that the sea level changes?

[13:10] Jay: Pollution?

[13:11] Rafi: Indirectly, yes. as it adds to CO2 which increases atmospheric temperature and melts sea ice

[13:11] Rafi: Anyone have any idea what happens to water once it gets warmer though?

[13:11] Elgion: it evaporates???

[13:12] Rafi: When it boils, yeah, but when it warms, it expands.

[13:12] Rafi: And when it expands....

[13:12] Rafi waits for a clever teen to finish his sentence...

[13:12] Jay: IT FLOODS.

[13:13] Elgion: when it expands it rises

[13:13] Rafi: About right jay, when water expands the sea level rises

[13:13] Rafi: Exactly Elgion!

[13:13] Storm: when it rises it floods!

[13:13] Rafi: So we know that sea levels are rising....

[13:14] Rafi: But what was one of the things that caused rising?

[13:14] Rafi: Jay Mentioned it...

[13:14] Rafi: Begins with a P.

[13:14] Jay: Pollution.

[13:14] Storm: Pollution

[13:14] Rafi: Totally.

[13:14] Daniel: o.k

[13:14] Rafi: Anyone know what some different types of pollution are?

[13:15] Storm: I know a few

[13:15] Rafi: Go for it Storm.

[13:15] Storm: Carbon Dioxde and Carbon monoxide

[13:15] Storm: erm

[13:15] Jay: Well, we are ripping up the ozone layer with our waste.

[13:15] Storm: let me think, they are green house gasses that cause global warming, and the green house gasses are

[13:15] Rafi: You got it.

[13:15] Elgion: What if they had a way to throw waste into Space??

[13:16] Daniel: wow

[13:16] Rafi: So as Storm said, when greenhouse gases enter the atmosphere

[13:16] Jay: They pollute.

[13:16] Rafi: it causes the temperature to rise.

[13:16] Storm: As they cant escape

[13:16] Daniel: right!!!

[13:16] Storm: :)

[13:16] Elgion: Also Bomb testing and Automobiles recks the Ozone

[13:18] Tas shouts: It would take a few centuries for the tempurature to stabalize

[13:19] Rafi: Can anyone looking at the slide tell me how long it will take for the temperature to stop rising if we stopped emitting greenhouse gasses right now?

[13:19] Tas: a few centuries

[13:19] Quert: 1000 years

[13:19] Storm: 100-300

[13:19] Daniel: a long time

[13:20] Jay: More than 1,000 years.

[13:20] Daniel: wow

[13:20] Daniel: is that true?

[13:20] Storm: Yeh

[13:20] Storm: maybe 1000+ years

[13:20] Rafi: Yup, temperature will stabilize in a coupe of centuries...

[13:20] Tas: Long time

[13:20] Daniel: scary

[13:20] Storm: 100-300?

[13:20] Storm: Like i said?

[13:20] Daniel: so what can we do about it then???

[13:20] Rafi: And the see level will continue to rise after that for thousands of years, potentially.

[13:21] Jay: *sea

[13:21] Tas: So theres no way to stop it rising?

[13:21] Rafi: Ah... that's what we'll talk about next.

[13:21] Storm: Stop giving out green house gases

[13:22] Rafi: Storm makes a great point, and he's created the perfect bridge to the debate we'll be having.

[13:22] Rafi: Before we move into the debate though,

[13:22] Storm: :)

[13:22] Rafi: I encourtage you all to take a free crab!

[13:22] Tas: omg

[13:22] Tas: yay

[13:22] Rafi: and snowsuit!

[13:22] Storm: I love crabs :D

[13:22] Quert: select the crab

[13:22] Rafi is prepping for the debate...

[13:22] Tas: got it

[13:22] Mercury: It moves fast..so try to select it if you can

[13:22] Storm: :o Kate you got your snow sute on :D

[13:22] Tas: i got it

[13:23] Tas: just

[13:23] Tas: :)(

[13:23] Storm: :o

[13:23] You: if you can catch it ;-)

[13:23] Tas 's sister wants to go on the computer :(

[13:23] Blind: dont let her xD

[13:23] Blind: :P

[13:23] Tas: I hate it when events r on weekdays

[13:24] Quert: me 2

[13:24] Blind thinks that tas's sis should learn to wait XD

[13:24] Tas: she needs to do homework

[13:23] Rafi: okay folks... so as you can see the human barometer boards have mysteriuously appearred from the sky! Can folks join me up on the main panel?

[13:24] Tas: ok

[13:24] Tas: sure

[13:24] Rafi: Come on up everyone!!!!

[13:24] Quert: come

[13:24] Storm: Quick folks

[13:24] Storm: hehe

[13:25] Storm: This is fun

[13:25] Tas: es hurry i gtg soon

[13:25] Storm: :)

[13:25] Tas: ok

[13:25] Tas: QUICK QUICK

[13:25] Tas: xD

[13:25] Daniel: can i have a jacket please

[13:25] Storm: You need to get it from below

[13:26] Daniel: where

[13:26] Jay: On the end of the bridge.

[13:26] Ryou: Do I have to wear a jacket?

[13:26] Tas: no

[13:26] Ryou: I'm quite warm already

[13:26] Tas: but its warmer

[13:26] Ryou: Sweet.

[13:26] Tas: xD

[13:27] Rafi: lol, no, just helps you stay warm!!!

[13:27] Tas: yup

[13:27] Rafi: So okay everyone....

[13:27] Tas: im warm

[13:27] You: not if you forget to put shoes on!

[13:27] Jay is warm in his tuxedo.

[13:27] Rafi: We're going to play something called the human barometer...

[13:27] Tas: Ok

[13:27] Rafi: has anyone here ever heard of a barometer?

[13:27] Tas: no

[13:27] Storm: Nope

[13:27] Quert: no

[13:28] Storm: But ive done somthing like this before

[13:28] Storm: To advertise Camp Gkid

[13:28] Storm: With mercury

[13:28] Rafi: Okay, let's see if I can pull up a definiteioon...

[13:28] Tas: ok

[13:28] Rafi: /define barometer

[13:28] HUD Thingy whispers: This system is currently down. Please try again later.

[13:28] Rafi: oh well, no go there.

[13:28] Jay: RAGE AGAINST THE SYSTEM.

[13:28] Rafi: A barometer is a device used to measure pressure.

[13:29] Mercury: /wiki barometer

[13:29] Tas: Oh k

[13:29] Rafi: Anyone have a clue what a human barometer would be then?

[13:29] Quert: oh. yes

[13:29] Jay: Humans measuring pressure?

[13:29] Tas: where we are used to see the presure?

[13:29] Rafi: What do you think Quert?

[13:29] Quert: measuring humans

[13:29] Rafi: The pressure of what Tas?

[13:30] Tas: the pressure of water?

[13:30]  Storm: the air i beleve or the water

[13:30] Rafi: lol, nope. In this case we'll be measuring the pressure of opinion!

[13:30] Tas: Cool

[13:30] Quert: oh

[13:30] Storm: Argh ok

[13:30] Quert: cool

[13:30] Rafi: So...here's how it will work,

[13:30] Quert: agree.. dunno or disagre

[13:30] Rafi: I'm going to say a statement. And then each of you has to choose a board: agree, disagree, or not sure

[13:31] Tas: ok

[13:31] Rafi: Once you're on the appropriate board begin to type up your reason for why you chose to go there and be prepared to share it with the group.

[13:31] Tas: then u ask us 1 by 1?

[13:31] Rafi: That's the idea.

[13:31] Tas: This will be fun

[13:32] Daniel: o.k

[13:32] Rafi: But have your statement prepared in advance to save time!

[13:32] Tas: ok sure

[13:32] Rafi: Also---

[13:32] Rafi: YOU CAN CHANGE BOARD ASFTER SOMEONE ELSE SPEAKS

[13:32] Tas: ok

[13:32] Rafi: If they managed to change your mind. :)

[13:32] Tas: :)

[13:32] Tas: ok we starting now?

[13:33] Rafi: yup,

[13:33] Rafi: Is everyone ready for the first statement?

[13:33] Daniel: yes

[13:33] Tas: YES

[13:33] Jay: Yes.

[13:33] Quert: yh

[13:33] Quert: yeh*

[13:33] Rafi: w00t!

[13:33] Rafi: here we go!

[13:33] Tas: lol

[13:33] You: yup

[13:33] Rafi: Global Warming is a problem that is too challenging for the global community to deal with.

[13:34] Rafi: Everyone find your board and start typing!

[13:34] Rafi: What do you think Ryan?>

[13:34] Ryou: >_>

[13:35] Rafi: Okay, so first, can everyone 'hear' me?

[13:35] Ryou: Yeahup.

[13:35] Storm: Yep

[13:35] Jay: AHH!

[13:35] Jay: I need to go eat!

[13:35] Jay: afk

[13:35] Tas: ok

[13:35] Rafi forgot that he shouldn't ask questions when everyone is typing up their responses.

[13:35] Ryou: I'll vouch for Jay.

[13:35] Storm: hehe

[13:36] Ryou: By imposing my opinions.

[13:36] Rafi: Jay, do you have a quick statement ready that you'd like to share before you go?

[13:36] Storm: I've typed mine.

[13:36] Rafi: lol

[13:36] Tas: hes gone

[13:36] Daniel: whats next then

[13:36] Rafi: Oop, looks like we lost him!

[13:36] Tas: lol storm

[13:36] Tas: me

[13:36] Rafi: Do we have a volunteer from the disagree side that wants to share their statement first?

[13:36] Storm: I will!

[13:37] Rafi: Great, so just to remind about the statement:

[13:37] Rafi: Global Warming is a problem that is too challenging for the global community to deal with.

[13:37] Rafi: Tas, then storm.

[13:37] Rafi: Tas, whatcha got?

[13:37] Tas: ok

[13:37] Tas: Global Warming Can Be Stopped By Anyone, They Just Have To Put All Their Effort Into Research And Facilities. They Also Need Statistics And With That And Everyones Help, Global Warming Can Be Tackled By Anyone :)

[13:37] Quert: hmm

[13:37] Rafi: Okay, so Tas thinks that research and study are the keys.

[13:37] Ryou: Nobody want's Ryou's opinions. Yeah. I see how it is.

[13:37] Rafi: Quert, you hmmmed, do you have a respoinse to that?

[13:38] Rafi: We'll get to you Ryou! Promise! : D

[13:38] Ryou: I'll hold you to it! :O

[13:39] Rafi: Ok, Storm, let's here what you came up with.

[13:39] Storm: Okie Its not to challenging at all. Its becuase most people cant be botherd or they think why should i help save the planet if no one else is bothering!

[13:39] Tyguy: Let's pay attention.

[13:40] Tas: Yeh True

[13:40] Daniel: true

[13:40] Storm: If everyone puts some effort into this we can save the planet!

[13:40] Tas: WOOOO

[13:40] Tas Claps

[13:40] Storm: We just need you guys to help and NEVER give up

[13:40] Quert: i changed idea

[13:40] Rafi: What do you mean, no one can bother with it Storm?

[13:40] Storm: Well Some people say Why should i bother if no one else is

[13:41] Rafi: Just a minute, I want to hear form some of the unsures.

[13:41] Rafi: So Sotrm thinks there's a problem with 'group-think"!

[13:41] You: Its too expensive and difficult for politicians to deal with. They're only elected for a few years - why worry about the future? But we will have to start dealing with it soon

[13:41] Rafi: That if nobody takes action, other people feel less inclinded to take action too.

[13:41] Storm: Yes indeed

[13:41] Storm: Thats right!

[13:42] Rafi: Katharine, so you feel like our political systems might be something that can prevent action on Global Warming?

[13:42] You: yes

[13:42] Ryou: That if political figures don't take action then petty people such as ourselves are less inclined to.

[13:42] Tas: yup

[13:43] You: politicians want to be popular and let people drive nice cars

[13:43] Ryou: Or be the ones driving the nice cars.

[13:43] You: they can't say "stop flying and driving 4x4s"

[13:43] Tas: thats stereotypical..

[13:43] Rafi: Anyone have any thoughts on that? Agree? Disagree? You can do this popcorn style.

[13:43] Ryou: Agree with what?

[13:43] Daniel: are you enjoying this event peoples???

[13:43] Tas shouts: i am

[13:43] Daniel: i am

[13:43] Rafi is too, and glad you all came!

[13:43] Rafi: With the idea that our political systems might be part of the problem.

[13:44] Ryou: Oh, totally. That's mmy biggest problem.

[13:44] Ryou: Agreeeee.

[13:44] Rafi: So Ryou thinks politics is the problem.

[13:44] Lucky: Agree. Obviously. Many important leaders in todays society are aware of Global Warming, and some are trying to stop it. But the majority of them are too involved in money, and power; that they don't take the time to realize that they're hurting the earth.

[13:44] Rafi: Okay, anyone else want to share what their statment before we move on to the next one?

[13:44] Quert: me

[13:44] Daniel: nope

[13:45] Rafi: Thanks Lucky!

[13:45] Lucky: =]

[13:45] Ryou: About politics being the problem? Or can it be something completely irrelevant to politics?

[13:45] Quert: no

[13:45] Rafi: Okay, it sounds like people are generally agreeing on one thing, that politics has to change to find a solution, with some feeling it's more grim than others.

[13:45] Tabitha: niow now guys

[13:45] Tabitha: no pushing off the boards

[13:45] Tas: i fell accident

[13:45] Lucky: -sticks out tongue- Can't push me off, nananana!

[13:46] Tabitha: oh LOL

[13:46] You: to change it we need to rock the vote

[13:46] Tas: :)

[13:46] Rafi: Lucky doesn't think we can fully adress it, Storm ahs faith that if enough epople put in effort, things can change.

[13:46] Storm: :) they will and can

[13:46] Rafi: Ok, let's regather on the main platform, and I;m going to get the next statement ready.

[13:46] Ryou: I seriously think the only real problem IS politics and restrictions on what we are allowed to help, or prevent.

[13:47] Rafi: Ok next statement:

[13:47] Rafi: Reducing carbon emissions to safe levels won't be possible because it will hurt the economy too much.

[13:47] Rafi: Take your places!

[13:49] Rafi: Okay, is everyone typing up their statementS?

[13:49] Daniel: yep!!

[13:50] Rafi: People on the far boards, can you move closer to the center so that we can all hear eah other type?

[13:50] Quert: im not on a board cause i dont know what to answer

[13:50] Rafi: Quert, you can go in the not sure then. Thanks!

[13:50] Storm: I've done mine

[13:51] Rafi: Ok, I want ot hear from someone on thew agree side first this time.

[13:51] Tas: Me

[13:51] Rafi: Tyguy or Daniel? We haven't heard form you guys yet.

[13:51] Tas: oh ok

[13:51] Storm: Im on not sure

[13:52] Daniel: yes i agree

[13:52] Rafi: How about you Tas?

[13:53] Tas: I got a statement can i share with you all?

[13:52] Rafi: Go for it.

[13:53] Tas: If you had to reduce carbon emissions then companys would not be able to produce enough of their product if it entails emitting Co2. Therefor they would not gain a profit and would probably come out of business. Their company would be no more :(.

[13:53] Daniel: cool

[13:53] Tas: yup

[13:53] Daniel: nice one

[13:54] Tas: thanks

[13:54] Daniel: anybosy else

[13:54] Rafi: Tas makes a good point. There's no question that reducing emissions will cause some businesses to be hurt.

[13:54] Daniel: ???

[13:54] Tas: yup

[13:54] Daniel: thats true

[13:54] Lucky: Our economy has grown custom to the technology we have today. Asking the world to cut down on driving cars that run on gas, and heating homes with oil; isn't going to work. Plus, many major companies would go out of buisness; people would lose jobs.

[13:54] Rafi: Let's hear something from the other side though....

[13:55] Apple: gradually reducing the carbon emissions will not affect the ecconomy because the economy will get used to it if we reduce the emissions slow enough

[13:55] Ryou: Jay, statement is, "Will reducing C02 hurt economy?"

[13:55] Apple: no

[13:55] Rafi: Thanks Lucky, so yeah, much of our current economy is dependent on systems that create CO2 emissions

[13:55] Ryou: Can I state my opiyunn now?

[13:55] Tas: My mind is changed

[13:55] Rafi: Apple makes a great point 0

[13:55] Rafi: maybe gradual change is the answer

[13:55] Storm: Dont forget the other green house gasses

[13:55] Rafi: Ryou?

[13:55] Apple: we can reduce the co2 emissions gradually over time so that companies hay time 2 gt used 2 it

[13:55] Ryou: I'm pretty sure that planting many trees, and developing cars that aren't as wasteful and polluting will not harm economy. If they have enough money to find out why ridiculous things like, "Why kids like the color blue?" (Example) or just eliminating some unnessacary things will not harm the economy. Trees will absorb the carbon dioxide, and help the enviorment. Planting trees shouldn't be a problem for countries nations that have enough money to build bombs to kill each other with.

[13:56] Rafi: Nice statement!

[13:56] Lucky: Global Warming has been an issue for a few years now. I respect the projects to spread awareness of it, and I support them fully. But how long have they been trying to make a change? A few, and little has been done so far. Sure, we have cars running on electricty; but honestly, how many of them do you see a day?

[13:56] Ryou: Thanks.

[13:56] Tas: I love navy blue

[13:57] Tas: :)

[13:57] Storm: I've never seen an electric car before Ive need a milk man one

[13:57] Rafi: This is a pretty healthy debate we've got going, does anyone want to respond to these statements that pople have put out there?

[13:57] Tas: lol

[13:57] Apple: u do no their building archs 2 send 2 space becoz the world mite cum 2 an end in the nxt 100yrs coz of global warming

[13:57] Storm: Its longer than 100 years

[13:57] Apple: we need 2 reduce co2 emmisions now

[13:57] Ryou: Yes. I would like to respond to the one about electric cars.

[13:57] Tas: Well All I have to say is that both agree and disagree are right

[13:57] Tyguy: The economy may be hurt if we cut C02 emmisions, but the environment is more important than economy.

[13:57] Storm: I'm sure

[13:58] Rafi: Tyguy, are you saying that something has to give?

[13:58] Apple: no its not if we carry on burning co2 @ the rate were burning it @ da mo

[13:58] Tas: without the eniroment there would be no economy

[13:58] Rafi: Either the economy or the environment?

[13:58] Jay: I'd say the economy has to give.

[13:58] Tyguy: I would too.

[13:58] Tyguy: We can print more money.

[13:58] Storm: I dont hink it will harm the envoroment that much becuase im sure we can cope without 4*4s leaving your pc on all the time, leave your light on and things like that

[13:59] Apple: yes if the economy doesnt giv then our granchildren and us will suffer

[13:59] Tyguy: WE can't make another earth.

[13:59] Tas shouts: well there is a moon near jupiter that has signs of a beach

[13:59] Ryou: How do we respond to statements?

[13:59] Tas shouts: and lifer

[13:59] Ryou: True that.

[13:59] Storm: People do un neccssery things to waste resorces

[13:59] Apple: we will n ot survive by doing that all the time

[14:00] Rafi: Ok, I'm hearing a lot of great thoughts and idea, and think that they tie in well to the last statement....

[14:00] Rafi: Can I ask everyone to come to the center platforms once agian?

[14:00] Tas: phew i gtg soon

[14:00] Rafi: This will be the last statement.

[14:00] Tas: gr8 i wont miss nothing :)

[14:00] Apple: we also need 2 find a bakup 4 coal and oil or were gunna find us selves unstuk wen they run out

[14:00] Lucky: =[

[14:00] Storm: Woops

[14:01] Lucky: I wanna play again.

[14:01] You: yup - no plastic when oil runs out!

[14:01] Tas: samre

[14:01] Tas: but we can have virtual plastic ;)

[14:01] Rafi: Okay everyone... here's the last statement:

[14:01] Rafi: It is the responsibility of governments, not of individuals, to make sure that the global climate crisis is solved.

[14:01] Rafi: Find your squares!

[14:01] Apple: individuals make a difference

[14:01] Storm: Humm

[14:01] Storm: Ill go here

[14:02] Tas: hmmm

[14:02] Lucky: GAH

[14:02] Rafi: Start typing up your initial statements everyone!

[14:02] Tas: got mine

[14:02] Jay: I do not believe this statement is true. It is a fact that the goverment has WAY too much power over the situation, but individuals make a big difference too.

[14:03] Apple: individuals make a load of difference!!!

[14:03] Storm: There aint realy a square wher i can go so i choose this one. It's upto the goverment and the indervidual to amke sure as the planet is changed.

[14:03] Apple: it is a group of individuals that make the government

[14:03] Rafi: Hold your horses on your statements everyone!!!

[14:03] Rafi: Jus a minute,

[14:03] Rafi: give people a chance to formul;ate their thoughts.

[14:03] Tyguy: Both the government and individuals should help.

[14:03] BenSp: ahh cool

[14:03] Tas: can I say mine?

[14:04] Rafi: Just a minute Tas. I'd love for someone new to start off....

[14:04] Tas: ok

[14:05] Ryou: It is never the responsibility of the government to solve problems such as these. It's the individuals the government rules over. People think their government will refuse them, and a lot of the time, they do, but what people need to understand is that a lot of governments nowadays give people a voice. Capitalist, Communist, and others give the people power to speak forth and express opinions and change the world. People simply believe that without a government's intervention, they are powerless in a matter. This is not true, if we wanted to stop caring if the government allowed us and just acted the way we saw fit, we'd set rules for our governments again.

[14:06] Tyguy: The government can help with policies, but there are many ways that individuals can help.

[14:06] BenSp: global warming is something that the government DOES need to help solve etc. But, if the people wont do anything nothing will get done

[14:06] Rafi: Tyguy - tell me more!

[14:06] Tyguy: There are more individuals than the government.

[14:06] Rafi: What can individuals do?

[14:06] Apple: government can help but so can individuals

[14:07] Ryou: The government! The government may own the money, but we as the people own the many resources that fuel the government. It may seem a little cruel, but if governments don't do something about world problems and are too busy worrying about how they should kill their fellow man, and use them for their own benefits, we should take the matter into our own hands. It's our world, and we deserve to shape it the way the individuals see fit.

[14:07] Tyguy: The government can pass policies.

[14:07] Tas: Am I allowed to say mine now?

[14:07] Apple: we hav 2 live on this world 2getha so we need 2 work 2getha rather than leev everything 2 the government

[14:08] Rafi: Go for it Tas

[14:08] Tas: ok thx Both, Everyone must work together in order to stop all of this. Without Everyone there would be no way to stop the global climate rising. Individuals have a better chance on their own other than the government because there are more individuals

[14:08] BenSp: something people dont realize is that the government cant solve everything

[14:08] Ryou: True that.

[14:09] Tas: ya

[14:09] Apple: that is so true

[14:09] Jay: I do not believe this statement is true. It is a fact that the goverment has WAY too much power over the situation, but individuals make a big difference too.

[14:09] Rafi: Okay - so I'd like to shift it for the last part to go deeper into this question:

[14:09] Ryou raises a fist. "Power to the people!"

[14:09] You: lol yeah!

[14:09] Rafi: What's the role of the government? And what's the role of the individual? What does each need to do?

[14:09] Tyguy: There are many things individuals can do to cause global warming, and many people in the world.

[14:09] Tyguy: So there are many things to stop it too.

[14:09] BenSp: exactly

[14:09] Tas: well the government has the money indivduals have the will power

[14:10] BenSp: people cause global warming people need to stop it

[14:10] Rafi: So what can indivuals do specifically to stop warming and carbon emmissions?

[14:10] Jay: Role of the government: To take part in creating this economy and country. Individuals: To take part in shaping the entire world.

[14:10] Apple: people think that because the government rule da country they can do nething. thats not tru we NEED to work 2getha

[14:10] BenSp: hybrid carbs etc

[14:10] Ryou: The government needs to regulate money and give people a general law to follow. The people need to shape the government according to what will do the world better in the end, and what will make us more prosperous as a human race. The government needs to give people justice according to crimes such as murders and other obsceneties.

[14:10] Alpha: ok, thats officially cool

[14:10] Rafi: Okay, so using technologies that use less fuel and emit less carbons, great! : )

[14:10] Tyguy: Everyone is to blame for global warming, both the people of the world and the government.

[14:10] Lucky: May I add my opinion?

[14:10] Tas: They can group up create projects and take statistics which can be sent to the government so then they can use money and the information they got from individuals and stop this problem

[14:11] Tyguy: To making the C02 emitting cars to driving them.

[14:11] Rafi: Tyguy, I thinkwe're past blame at this point,

[14:11] Rafi: what i'd like ot hear is how to stop it.

[14:11] Lucky: *coughs*

[14:11] Rafi: What are some small things that individuals can do to stop warming?

[14:11] Tas: To stop I think we need bans

[14:11] Tyguy: Use cars less.

[14:11] Tas: small things

[14:12] Jay: An individual can help stop global warming by using less wasteful and un-efficient waste uses, e.g using un-recyclable products.

[14:12] You: turn lights off

[14:12] Rafi: And lucky, I'm coming to you, I promise!

[14:12] BenSp: stop it? i dont know

[14:12] Tas: They can use persil 30oc and light up to 1000 villages save energy and carbon emissions :) they can also switch lights and things of when not needed

[14:12] Alpha: dont use incandesent bulbs? (I know, thats probably not how you spell it)

[14:12] Rafi: So yeah, recycling, turingin out lights, less use of things that emitr carbons like cars.

[14:12] Rafi: Great alpha

[14:12] Apple: u can se gases 2 reduce the amount of co2 emissions in ure cars so u can drive just as much and u dnt create andy co2 emissions. the problem is the enviromental groups wont let us use these gases

[14:12] Tyguy: Use a power source that doesn't run on coal, oil, or anything else that emits greenhouse gasses.

[14:12] You: stop playing Second Life! (avatars use more electricity (from servers running) than the average resident of Brazil!!)

[14:13] Alpha: hehehe

[14:13] Rafi: Kath - I've actually heard that the numbers on that study were pretty iffy.

[14:13] Alpha: use a black and white avatar to preserve energy from your LCD Monitor :P

[14:12] Rafi: Who here's got a bike?

[14:13] Jay: In real life? Yes. SL? No.

[14:13] Tas: not me

[14:13] Lucky: *coughcough* You actually gave me another point, Rafi.

[14:13] You: Just jump in Lucky :-)

[14:13] Lucky: What about those who can't ride bikes, or walk?

[14:14] You: good point, but what can each of us do to help?

[14:13] Tyguy: Turn off everything electric that you don't use.

[14:13] Ryou: Hydro Carbons. They exist, but the government limits research for them because there is so much money already invested in Oil, and our feeble economy would fall without it. Hydrocarbons are created by using.. air, or something. Only emissions are a little bit of water.

[14:13] Tyguy: As I already, we can print more money, but we can't make another earth.

[14:13] Rafi: Yeah, go fir it Luckster!

[14:14] Alpha: whats the oppinion Im voting on

[14:14] Apple: y dont we use the gases that reduce co2 emissions in ouor cars. its more expensive but wots more important money or the earth

[14:14] Tyguy: We can recycle. So we don't cut down trees and mine resources.

[14:14] Rafi: Was there something else you wanted to add Lucky?

[14:15] Tyguy: We can preserve the economy and the environment by recycling.

[14:15] Lucky: Alot, but I don't think we're on the proper topic anymore

[14:15] Apple: recycling newspapers is bad 4 the earth because u hav 2 use chemicals 2 get the ink out of the paper and that chemical is bad 4 the earth

[14:15] Rafi: Hmmm... yeah, we have drifted a bit...

[14:15] Alpha: my aunt is a NOAA weather spotter or something.. shes pretty cool :)

[14:15] You: Tyguy we can print more money, but the value of it goes down. Pretty soon a pint of milk will cost 300US$ not linden $!

[14:15] Rafi: Awesome!

[14:16] Alpha: inflation for kidz

[14:16] Rafi: This is true.

[14:16] Rafi: Ok... so it looks like we've gotten a good groundwork laid for further conversations here.

[14:16] Tas: Rafi I have a question, well 2

[14:16] Rafi: This was a bit of a teaser, but we hope to do much more on the topic down the line!

[14:17] Apple: i hav a question nas well

[14:17] Rafi: If there are people that want to do more study and debate about the issue, let me know, and we'll see about doing more events!

[14:17] Rafi: In the meanwhile, definitely visit NOAA's website!

[14:17] Ryou: I love ripping on the government. It rules.

[14:17] You: lol

[14:17] Lucky smiles

[14:17] You: which government?! ;-)

[14:18] Rafi: Finally, some Q's!

[14:18] Tas: Rafi can I ask you something?

[14:18] Rafi: Apple, Tas?

[14:18] Tas: How long will the glacier be staying for?

[14:18] Rafi: Until further notice!

[14:18] Tas: ok thanks. Is this debate going to lead to creation of a building or monument of carbon emissions? like with Hiv Aids? To learn from? :)

[14:19] Rafi: We haven't thought about making a contest yet, but if people are really interested, we can certainly think about it!

[14:20] Rafi: or monument I mean.

[14:19] Tas: ok gr8 Well I must go now

[14:20] Rafi: Thanks for coming Tas!

[14:20] Jay: Alright, Rafi, I'll see you later.

[14:20] Tas: Np its been fun

[14:20] Mercury Metropolitan: Thanks for participating everyone!

[14:20] Rafi: This was great everyone, you're all really proving the TSL residents DO care about the issues!

[14:20] Lucky: Rafi, you guys need to host these more often.

[14:21] Lucky: I don't think I've seen one since what, September?

[14:21] Rafi: Yeah, It's been a while. Thanks Lucky, we are looking into doing more stuff like this.