We are quickly burning through our available resources on this planet and polluting what's left. Based on various reports on the topic, it is very likely that we will see the impact of this in our own lifetimes.
There are people, however, who say this opinion is alarmist, unfounded, and wrong. There's no way to prove conclusively that humans are having such an impact, they say, so why should we make changes?
I heard a conservative pundit on the radio the other day ranting about how global warming was a scam and that the average global temperature has gone up only because the sensors were poorly located in heat prone areas. (His example was at the end of airport runways exposed to hot jet exhaust.)
He laughed that the global temperature has only gone up one degree (ha! that's nothing) and took pride in driving a gas guzzling car.
On the other end you have people like James H. Kunstler who say we are right around the corner from anarchy and chaos resultant from a looming resource shortage. We should start stockpiling supplies and learning how to garden, they say.
While I tend to agree with Kunstler and the other alarmists, I say this to the global warming naysayers; so what if you're wrong?
If I'm wrong, it's no big deal. I changed my light bulbs to fluorescents, got a programmable thermostat and and bought an ultra-low emission vehicle. I think we can safely say that all of these things do have a positive impact on the environment and I'm conserving resources. How is that bad?
It doesn't really matter who or what is making the planet hotter, humans and Hummer SUVs or the sun. In the end, we are going to run out of resources unless we can find alternatives. So why argue over who's causing the problem? Why not just do something about it?
But seriously, I don't see how anyone can say with a straight face that humans are not having a negative impact on the earth. Humans are like weeds. We are an invasive species that spreads to all corners of the globe, soaking up resources and wiping out other species along the way.
The sooner we understand that, the sooner we'll be able head off our impending resource crisis.
I usually make general comments on your blog but this time I have a more personal comment for you. I hope you don't mind.
ReplyDeleteAs I stated in one of your previous posts, you are assuming people care. It is sad to say but the majority of the general public can't even define global warming or have any concept of what it means to consume resources. Then there are those that just don't care, Jane and here SUV, transporting little Johny to the soccer game. It means more to her to feel "big" or "wealthy" in her SUV than being a friend to the environment.
I read an article somewhere once that said AL Gore had a much larger Ecological Footprint than president Bush. So he purchases offsets to account for the carbon emissions of all his air travel, just as he did for his movie and his book. He purchases green power for his home, drives a hybrid, and flies commercial when possible.
What kind of crap is that? Thats like spilling a few gallons of oil in a local water way and then paying to clean it up? The damage is already done, an once of prevention beats a pound of cure. This guy needs to practice what he preaches.
I agree that everyone needs to try and conserve resources but how do you make people listen? The local Mexican tree farm workers ride around in a van together, save money and conserve. But who wants to live like that. They don't even have furniture, trust me I know.
You say "But seriously, I don't see how anyone can say with a straight face that humans are not having a negative impact on the earth. Humans are like weeds. We are an invasive species that spreads to all corners of the globe, soaking up resources and wiping out other species along the way."
Science, religion, both support the end of time. Be it through puking pollution all over the earth or the rapture. Who are you to try and stop it? Science says we will get hit buy a comet or meteor. A volcano or pollution, some thing is going to kill us all. The Bible says we will have a Rapture and the meek shall inherit the earth.
I don't disagree with you, I try to keep the lights out when not needed, I am aware of my footprint now more than ever. I have a few vegie meals a week. But we need more, no everyone to chip in. I can not save the planet alone.
We are doomed.
On a side note, there is so much misinformation out there, does anyone really know the truth?
On a lighter note, here is a thought.
ReplyDeleteNo matter how hard you try or what you do, even after you save countless gallons of fuel and resources. You will never make it out of this world alive, I promise you that!