Have more sex to save the planet

Been reading this initially doomy post by Rob Hopkins, founder of the Transition Town movement, pointing out that the latest science calls on us to make a cut in emissions of no less than nine per cent a year if we're to avoid runaway climate change.

Nine per cent - this year and every year, for the forseeable future!

There's never been a time when such cuts didn't dovetail with economic doom. (The collapse of the Soviet Union led to reductions of just five per cent.) But among other points, Hopkins notes in passing that "economic growth was, let’s face it, an idea with a temporary lifespan to start with, one that would inevitably hit the buffers of resource constraints". For this reason, he's less than enthusiastic about government attempts to get us all shopping again.

He puts his mind instead to things that might bring us joy without costing the earth and hits on an old favourite - having sex.

Indeed, this report on the BBC, based on research by YouGov, informs Hopkins that people are already putting renewed energy into this inexpensive pastime, now that luxury holidays and trinkets look less affordable. He concludes:

"If we are moving away from consumption, from the ‘Buy Crap for Britain’ solution to economic contraction, towards a more profound rethink... perhaps we might do worse than to link it to increased pleasure and intimacy, and to a move away from the loneliness so many people experience.  It may be more successful than pictures of polar bears."

Comments

[Meg]

Global warming isn't so much about warmer weather than EXTREME weather. Two days ago I walked down to the river in a sweatshirt. Today I have seven inches of snow to shovel.

Furthermore, global warming aside, POLLUTION IS BAAAAAAAD. Why do these people always forget that fact? Growing up in the 80's, I didn't hear much about global warming, but I sure as heck had a whole bunch of environmentalist comic books about saving the whales, the rainforests, and the wetlands. We need to be environmentally responsible no matter what the politically correct reason of the day is.

And now, my fiance has come home and I need to jump him.

[Jane]

I've always said there's not enough sex on television. And if you married people have forgotton the fun of it do it with someone else!! Hail the new green sexual revolution!!

[Alexander Fiske-Harrison]

J-P, You know I have great respect for you my friend (and that's not just because I said you look a little like the matador Juan José Padilla - for others, see my blog link above), but now's the time to be advising people to read Malthus, not the Kama Sutra. If my girlfriend and I reduce our carbon footprint by twenty-five percent, then have four children rather than two, we *increase* emissions by 50% (and that's not including their greater longevity and fecundity!) AF-H

[David Pan]

Ridiculously! I can say even cleaning my home can contribute to the whole world also.
Some scientists just maybe want to get people's attentions like many medias did.

[placebo overdose]

you might want to link to your recent article about more kids to be a carbon problem http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/families/article5627634.ece
as well as to the failures of contraceptives recently aired by Mark Potter
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/expert_advice/article5575405.ece

enjoy if it's safe

[Sammy Sex Cam Showtown]

Agree we have gotten away from simple pleasures. With technology we have forgotten our partners and ourselves because of the pleasure provided by gadgets.

[Studman69]

Re: I am a 27 year old single woman

How YOU doin?

[Jeff]

I'm married, so I haven't got a clue as to what you people are talking about.

[Raina Connor]

Here's an idea that won't have disastrous results (i.e. potential to increase the population). Why not go outside "GASP" and play a game of baseball, basketball, football, or something of the like? You could walk to the park and play what ever you want there. Hey, and you can kill two birds with one stone, green entertainment and promoting healthy lives by getting in shape.

[mark]

I don't understand why people would complain about the lack of 'substance' in the article. It seems ironic to me, since part of the underlying message is (imho) to enjoy life/things as best we can, (in a manner that is sustainable).

I'm not a buddhist or particularlly educated in any religious background. However, my own spiritual growth has continually been at odds with the consumerist culture of the west (and probably most of the east). Sex seems a natural thing to enjoy and revel in. (same goes for nature,wonder,naive unbridled joy, the creation of bonds between friends, the love of family, the ability to love others as family etc, etc, etc...)

[jack-o]

"There are not many free activities. Let alone fun ones, in fact there are barely none."

Karen, I can think of LOTS of free activities, and lost of free AND fun activities. Sex is certainly one of them, but there are lots more.

If you're of the mindset that nothing worth having is free, then you might be advised to spend some money on counseling.

:)

[Josie]

Who cares why it's happening - the why is not important. part of a normal earth cycle or not, global climate change is happening - consensus there I think is pretty strong, it's when the scientists are trying to hypothesize a cause that things get complicated.

At any rate, when the possibility of major change approaches us, why do we spend the first 10 years debating on what or whom to lay blame?

What are we going to proactively do?! I don't think increasing population is a good move, but sex is fun. Hmmm...

[NEIN]

As long as that sex doesn't lead to more people.... People are bad for the environment.

[Emma Nutjob]

"Are you sure about climate change? Think again. There is no consensus among scientists."

Are you out of your mind? Do even know what a scientist is?

Hint: It's not someone who works as a doctor, Murdoch, or at the pub. There is consensus. Has been for years.

[Bleary]

MKII, et al: As a scientist who was awake until 5am (current time: 7am) for an experiment that could not be completed due to instrument malfunction, I must ask the question: Really?! No scientist I've ever talked to has considered global climate change anything other than the reality that data show it to be. One might think that environmental scientists and the like would want to know if such a thing were provably false.

As far as the sex, studies do show a great likelihood of frequent sex improving overall health. Don't want to get pregenant? Theres measures one can take in that manner. Condoms seems a very likely one, yes they cost but so does everything else. Latex and polyurethane/propene have the added advantage of protection against most sexually transmitted viral and bacterial pathogens in addition possesing extreme efficacy against pregnancy. Or, you could just not have sex if thats what you prefer. Me, I'll make for the bedroom.

[MkII]

Are you sure about climate change? Think again. There is no consensus among scientists.

http://climatedebatedaily.com/

[Franziska]

Have more sex to save the planet... but of course it has to be green sex as in

"Turning out the lights, not buying PVC or vinyl accoutrement's, ensuring S&M paddles are made from sustainably harvested timber, using organic massage oils, showering together, using bamboo bed sheets (they come from a rapidly renewable resource and are said to be "super sexy"), and wearing lingerie made with renewable fibres such as hemp (Enamore), bamboo (Butta) and other organic goodness (GreenKnickers, Buenostyle, Peau Ethique)."

[Matt]

The earth is cooling and has been for a few years. Get over it people! I can't believe how politics and power are controlling what is supposed to be science. The earth has warmed and cooled throughout history. How did the earth come out of the last ice age? It WARMED for a little while and it wasn't because cave men were driving SUVs! Last winter and so far this winter have been two of the coldest globally in the last 100 years. Some places, like Saudi Arabia saw snow for the first time EVER recorded. Take a look at what real scientists who aren't trying to feed their bank accounts through politicians wanting to take advantage of this global warming myth:

http://www.dailytech.com/Australian+Astronomical+Society+Warns+of+Global+Cooling/article12250.htm

http://www.worldclimatereport.com/index.php/2007/03/16/the-coming-global-cooling

http://newsmax.com/insidecover/global_warming/2007/12/10/55974.html

That's enough to start with. I'm amazed how how the global warmers are brain washing people. It's really funny that people are actually buying the scam that says we should all panic and have our taxes raised to "fix" the earth...when it's not even warming anymore and only was because of normal cycles.

[BG]

gee, I just expanded my carbon a s s print by running my computer longer to read this useless blog? I better go buy a carbon offset now. By the way, I'm staring my own calorie offset program. If you want to lose weight, but still need those cookies, I've got a program for you. I'll exercise for 30 minutes and send you a certificate good for one cookie consumption. Each certifiicate is $20. If it's raining the day you want it, there's an additional $5 premium.

[Tom]

70 orgasms on hour? I think that might be a 'slight' exaggeration!

Karen,

Having lots of sex needn't derive from putting yourself about. Surely you can wind up having more sex in a proper relationship as you don't have to spend the time courting for instance. I'd much rather have quality and frankly easy sex at little or no notice with my gf than have to go out, spend money on drinks/meal/date etc- I think this may be what you're alluding to with regards 'technically costing money'- and maybe not get a shag anyway and if I do chances are it wouldn't live up to expectations

Classic adverse selection problem- that the best girls are taken and or difficult to pull so I'd end up shagging some bird who looks just as nice (beer goggles or otherwise), but is crap in bed/ridden with STDs/has 7 kids etc. And only realise that this was why she was interested in me after the effort has been committed. Indeed she might think the same about me, being rather disappointed come the end of the night once I reveal the 'little man'.

To the 27 year old single woman- Rabbit?

Good little article.

[Steve]

Interesting responses. I've had the snip & the cut, drive less and insulated all selflessly to HELP SAVE THE PLANET through increased sex. But I am now hearing that it's been the coldest winter for 30 years.

Have I done too much? Could I combine the Buy Crap for Britain Campaigning with PETA loving Hemp sheet sex?

I want to do more, but do realize that one volcano or Solar flare could obliterate any contribution Humans could make. How can I assuage my green guilt?

[T Massingham]

"Not all of us get drunk and randomly hop into bed with people, some of us have standards."

If you have standards, what are you doing reading 'Green Central' in the Times?

You obviously have a very low level of intellectual discrimination....

[Paul Fitz]

I have not had it on for ages.

[MOHAMMAD ALI]

I read Green Central regularly. I believe we are facing an environmental crisis and that rapid, premise changing action needs to be taken.
Unfortunately I am finding it increasingly hard to keep visiting Green Central and other similar sites that conflateenvironmentalism.any baby resulting from sex.

Having sex more often doesn't mean being promiscuous: I can have sex with the same partner several times;
- I don't believe that most people do pay for sex, though I'm not sure what is meant by "technically";
- It's quite possible to avoid pregnancy, and thereby keep population numbers down
when you trust on me, looking after the environment is about consuming energy -- not vice versa
Sex is only a game for people but it is a markable for them that it is an remarkable gift for the human beings........
but when we play from that it causes serioys effect on our......

[root man]

Global warming is a scam
http://www.garagetv.be/video-galerij/blancostemrecht/The_Great_Global_Warming_Swindle_Documentary_Film.aspx Peak oil is a lie.
http://home.earthlink.net/~root.man/peak.html

http://www.cuttingthroughthematrix.com