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Point of View: Global Warming |
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Sep 22, 2007 at 09:33 AM |
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Although global warming is featured prominently within the news, an article featured on CNN about sea ice loss on September 7, 2007 extracted some emotional reflections on the issue.
Let’s stop the nonsense. Global warming is real and humans have something to do with global warming. Now I’m not saying that we have everything to do with the earth’s rising temperature. But surely the millions upon trillions of pollutants that have been poured into the earth’s atmosphere since the Industrial Revolution are destructive, detrimental even. Right? No? You disagree. Very well. Blame global warming on the sunspots. Or say it doesn’t exist because of the failure of accurate scientific predication or whatever theory suits your fancy. I don’t mind. But so what if I am wrong, and so what if the thousands of others who share my views are wrong? Is there harm in turning to efficient sources of energy that do not harm the environment? Is there harm in ensuring that ecological systems remain in tact and that biodiversity is not decimated? Perhaps it is acceptable for some to just throw their hands up and say ‘species come and go’, ‘the earth’s temperature has fluctuated throughout time’, and they’re okay with that. But I’m not. Call me crazy, but I have a heart for those white, fury creatures up north that are going to be dramatically affected by sea ice loss (“Scientists: Dramatic Sea Ice Loss By 2050”) and possibly revert to cannibalism or some other horrid option to survive. I even worry about the trees and the parks and the beautiful landscape that my eyes (and yours) are lucky enough to receive. I wonder, as do many others, about what will happen to our rich diversity on Earth. I wonder if our children and grandchildren and their grandchildren will be able to enjoy what we have today in 2007. And I do not think that turning to more efficient sources of energy are going to hurt anyone, except maybe the profit margin of big businesses. So, honestly, what’s all the fuss about? Let’s nix the debate already, and let’s reduce green house gas emissions. Let’s work toward better sustainable business practices, and let’s reduce our impact so we don’t have to wait for science to tell us it’s too late. References Scientists: Dramatic Sea Ice Loss by 2050. (2007, September 7). CNN. http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/science/09/07/low.ice.ap/index.html?eref=rss_tech |
