Global Warming – For or Against?
I’m a little late posting for Blog Action Day 2009 but here goes – Climate Change. It’s not the change that’s the problem, it’s the rate of change. And denial about our contribution to changing the environment is like saying we don’t touch ourselves because we’re Catholic. C’mon, you do it. We all do it…
Rather than trout out the same old Al Gore rhetoric that doesn’t seem to blast past certain people’s brains I thought it might be worth having a little rant about the state of the question. Recently it seems to proactively approach my ears through a repeating unsolicited question – are you for or against climate change?
My answer to that is simply to ask what for or against means? That’s not a real question.
The problem seems to be that framing the question has become everything to everybody – let’s ask the real question. Are we living sustainable lifestyles for the longer term of hundreds or even thousands of years into the future? The resounding answer is no. It’s no because we’re polluting, we’re over-populating, we undervalue resources including air and water, we buy into the idea that economic prosperity outweighs sustainable living. How do you suppose we’re going to feed double the population in 30-50 years with less water, less resources, less top-soil, less fish in the oceans?
The genie is out of the box to the point we can’t put it back. Are you willing to forgoe your right to procreate? Will you be willing to stop travelling, enjoying the fruits of consumerism? That cheap tomato that crossed the globe to your supermarket is everything that’s the matter with what we’re doing.
When you discuss global warming remember its the speed of the change that is worrying, not the change itself. Secondly, given our lack of scientific understanding, which side is going to cost you more if you’re wrong? For example, if it’s not man made and we pollute less but your breakfast cereal costs you more versus we all die a horrible death and your children go to hell with you… and perhaps we need to take the Casino out of the economic-environmental equation. Safe bets only, ladies and gentlemen… are you prepared to act like adults?
Let’s put it this way… if the world was your oyster you’ve spent the pearl and eaten the creature that made it. So what do you want with your shell, Mr Jones?
But if you somehow believe that resources are endless and the environment forgiving then go do some math. Tell us all how you see the future in 100 to 200 years time? Because I’m interested.
Am I for global warming or against it? The question in that frame is moot – it’s not even a question. Rather, are we prepared to take responsibility for our footprint in the environment beyond the dollar value we currently allow?
And, my friends, the next stop is water… how many litres of water to make a cotton shirt or a litre of milk? Carbon tax is small fry compared to what we’re in for in the next few decades…
I hope this post contributed to your opinion about supporting moves to address climate change in our society.
