[TaylorAlexander]

I mean, obviously nuclear war was averted because we ended the cold war (we changed our behavior). I suppose I could be misinformed but I believe the hole in the ozone layer was fixed by banning CFCs (we changed our behavior)? I know less about acid rain. We are continuing to destroy forests.

[duskwuff]

Acid rain was the result of air pollution containing nitrogen and sulfur oxides, primarily from industrial sources, but also from vehicles. Strict emissions controls have largely solved this problem in developed countries.

[guscost]

> I mean, obviously nuclear war was averted because we ended the cold war (we changed our behavior).

I had a very spirited argument the other day about whether a unipolar world is actually more stable than a multipolar world, or not. The threat of nuclear war is ever-present, even if it is less serious now than it was in the 60s. I’m not sure where you get “obviously” in this claim.

> I believe the hole in the ozone layer was fixed by banning CFCs

The alternative explanation (which I’m sure you will be able to find a “debunking” of somewhere) is that ozone is regenerated very quickly, and the “hole” (it really was never more than a “thin spot”) in the Antarctic has improved because the South Pole is exposed to just a little more solar energy now. CFCs probably do make some difference, but they are very heavy molecules and would not accumulate much in the upper atmosphere:

https://news.mit.edu/2021/cfc-atmosphere-ozone-0518

(Note: That article has some data that could support this theory, but it does not reach the same conclusion. You are nevertheless encouraged to think for yourself.)

[Ygg2]

I believe climate change will see us return to unpolar world.

However it's probably going to be only Russia.

[vanviegen]

It seems to me that the reason the USA may not be a superpower anymore in the near future can hardly be blamed on anything other than stagnated American politics.