Is Global Warming a Crisis?
This was the title of the debate last Thursday night between Jack Chism and Daryl Iler, as they met in the upper union with faculty, students, and community members.
I attended this match, and thought both parties presented their ideals well.
Dr. Iler stated that, yes, climate change is real and that, yes, we are partly causing this change. He cited the findings of the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) as a core group of 1300 scientists from 100 nations, that have concluded that this is true. Also, NASA, has said that there is evidence of a warming trend and that humans are part of the source of this trend. Dr. Iler went on to state that these are reputable scientists, and that they have no agenda other than finding out the facts. He said that it is time to take action to slow down our carbon emissions. Also, Dr. Iler commented that even if the situation weren't as bad as we first thought, it is a "win win situation" in that by taking action we will gain cleaner air quality, find new, renewable energy sources and thereby lessen our dependence on foreign oil.
Mr. Chism questioned the validity of these scientific findings, as well as the IPCC Summary report. He stated that there were dissenters in the ranks and that some scientists left the panel because of these disagreements. He asked the questions: Is there climate change? If there is climate change, can we stop it?, and what would be the cost? His final analysis went something like this: there is no evidence that the climate change we are seeing isn't more than just cyclical. If there were, could we stop it without loss of life style, damage to our way of living and life? If we couldn't stop it period, or without such danger to ourselves and our lives, then why would we do anything? Perhaps, he even purported, our very taking action might do something damaging to the planet that was unintended. Basically, there would be large costs to us, with tiny benefits. He also brought up that there have been alarmists for centuries, but that the causes change with the times. Most of these causes want to limit us in some way. Climate change is to him, just one more of these alarmist ideals that people bring up to limit our way of life that is unnecessary and not supported by scientific fact.
As you can imagine, this debate brings out the emotions in all of us, no matter on what side you land. I don't think it's any secret what side I embrace and believe to be true. After all, this is a "green" site. I tried to listen as openly as I could with my biases, but still think that the evidence of the scientific community is real and clear and beyond the debating point. Climate change is real and we are partly responsible for this change.
Even if Mr. Chism were right though, I still believe there is a reason to change even if it doesn't produce the amount of change we need to fix anything. We act anyway, because it is not only the planet that changes with our actions. We are changed by our actions. It does matter if we throw away our trash on the ground and do not pick it up. It eats at our soul and leads to a sad state of affairs where nothing is worth anything. If we believe that this planet is created by God and glorifies God in it's very being, and that we are caretakers of this planet, then we need to care for it, despite the effects of our actions' increasing or decreasing carbon dioxide.
I also chafed at this idea that we all must not be bothered by anything that might cut into our accustomed way of life. There is nothing wrong with the benefits we have here in the US, clean clothes, food, a roof over our head. However, somewhere along the way we have crossed over into a selfish existence, one of greed and excess, and dominance. There are other people sharing this planet with us. We do not need to use all the resources just for us, so that we can live in the way that we are accustomed to living. Mr. Chism said that the only way of helping people in extreme poverty over seas is by bringing in industry and business, which also means simple fuels that are cheap, like coal. He said that this, above any NFPs or any charity giving, would be the only way to lift people out of poverty. There would be no need for concern over this use of cheap coal if you didn't believe that climate change were real or that we were causing it.
I sat and listened to all of this, knowing that it was wrong, but not being able to articulate or even to put my finger on what was so wrong about this idea of the poor needing to become like the other, richer, industrialized nations before they succeed. Aren't we finding ourselves today in a big mess because of our current life style? Things need to change here as well as in places like Africa and India, and the right change isn't necessarily them becoming more like us. What if we thought outside the box? What if the US were willing to cut back a bit and not be so consumeristic? What if we didn't take up all the resources in the world just for our cows or our grains? I happen to believe that there is enough on this one planet for all of us, if we would just share and just slow down, and not be so stinking greedy.
Cutting back on life style and energy use does not have to mean automatic dip in life style, or life satisfaction, that leads to "grinding poverty" as Mr. Chism stated. We still have soooooooo much more than so many, even if we didn't opt to build a McMansion, or we chose not to have a bathroom for every member of our family, or a car for every member of our family for that matter. What if we rode our bikes more and walked? Would that cut into my happiness or your happiness? Perhaps our current economic times might shake us up a bit and help us to re-prioritize our lives.
I don't know...there is so much to this issue that keeps going on and on and splitting off into other issues... like a great big web...
I don't know what it is you believe. I would suggest praying about it, and being aware of how it makes you feel when you throw away something you know can be reused. Does it feel wasteful? Then it probably is. How do you feel when you leave your car idling for 1/2 hour just so you can be a little bit more warm or comfortable on that cold winter's day. Does it maybe feel like your spewing toxins into the air? Maybe you are and maybe it's OK to be a little cold in the winter. After all, it is winter. Maybe it's a simplistic view, but the truth is sometimes just there despite all the facts for or against something. What is God telling you about your lifestyle. That's what I would listen to, and that's what I'm trying to listen to myself.
If you are interested in getting more facts about the findings of the IPCC, you can go to this site for their FULL report. Good luck.
http://www.ipcc.ch/
I attended this match, and thought both parties presented their ideals well.
Dr. Iler stated that, yes, climate change is real and that, yes, we are partly causing this change. He cited the findings of the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) as a core group of 1300 scientists from 100 nations, that have concluded that this is true. Also, NASA, has said that there is evidence of a warming trend and that humans are part of the source of this trend. Dr. Iler went on to state that these are reputable scientists, and that they have no agenda other than finding out the facts. He said that it is time to take action to slow down our carbon emissions. Also, Dr. Iler commented that even if the situation weren't as bad as we first thought, it is a "win win situation" in that by taking action we will gain cleaner air quality, find new, renewable energy sources and thereby lessen our dependence on foreign oil.
Mr. Chism questioned the validity of these scientific findings, as well as the IPCC Summary report. He stated that there were dissenters in the ranks and that some scientists left the panel because of these disagreements. He asked the questions: Is there climate change? If there is climate change, can we stop it?, and what would be the cost? His final analysis went something like this: there is no evidence that the climate change we are seeing isn't more than just cyclical. If there were, could we stop it without loss of life style, damage to our way of living and life? If we couldn't stop it period, or without such danger to ourselves and our lives, then why would we do anything? Perhaps, he even purported, our very taking action might do something damaging to the planet that was unintended. Basically, there would be large costs to us, with tiny benefits. He also brought up that there have been alarmists for centuries, but that the causes change with the times. Most of these causes want to limit us in some way. Climate change is to him, just one more of these alarmist ideals that people bring up to limit our way of life that is unnecessary and not supported by scientific fact.
As you can imagine, this debate brings out the emotions in all of us, no matter on what side you land. I don't think it's any secret what side I embrace and believe to be true. After all, this is a "green" site. I tried to listen as openly as I could with my biases, but still think that the evidence of the scientific community is real and clear and beyond the debating point. Climate change is real and we are partly responsible for this change.
Even if Mr. Chism were right though, I still believe there is a reason to change even if it doesn't produce the amount of change we need to fix anything. We act anyway, because it is not only the planet that changes with our actions. We are changed by our actions. It does matter if we throw away our trash on the ground and do not pick it up. It eats at our soul and leads to a sad state of affairs where nothing is worth anything. If we believe that this planet is created by God and glorifies God in it's very being, and that we are caretakers of this planet, then we need to care for it, despite the effects of our actions' increasing or decreasing carbon dioxide.
I also chafed at this idea that we all must not be bothered by anything that might cut into our accustomed way of life. There is nothing wrong with the benefits we have here in the US, clean clothes, food, a roof over our head. However, somewhere along the way we have crossed over into a selfish existence, one of greed and excess, and dominance. There are other people sharing this planet with us. We do not need to use all the resources just for us, so that we can live in the way that we are accustomed to living. Mr. Chism said that the only way of helping people in extreme poverty over seas is by bringing in industry and business, which also means simple fuels that are cheap, like coal. He said that this, above any NFPs or any charity giving, would be the only way to lift people out of poverty. There would be no need for concern over this use of cheap coal if you didn't believe that climate change were real or that we were causing it.
I sat and listened to all of this, knowing that it was wrong, but not being able to articulate or even to put my finger on what was so wrong about this idea of the poor needing to become like the other, richer, industrialized nations before they succeed. Aren't we finding ourselves today in a big mess because of our current life style? Things need to change here as well as in places like Africa and India, and the right change isn't necessarily them becoming more like us. What if we thought outside the box? What if the US were willing to cut back a bit and not be so consumeristic? What if we didn't take up all the resources in the world just for our cows or our grains? I happen to believe that there is enough on this one planet for all of us, if we would just share and just slow down, and not be so stinking greedy.
Cutting back on life style and energy use does not have to mean automatic dip in life style, or life satisfaction, that leads to "grinding poverty" as Mr. Chism stated. We still have soooooooo much more than so many, even if we didn't opt to build a McMansion, or we chose not to have a bathroom for every member of our family, or a car for every member of our family for that matter. What if we rode our bikes more and walked? Would that cut into my happiness or your happiness? Perhaps our current economic times might shake us up a bit and help us to re-prioritize our lives.
I don't know...there is so much to this issue that keeps going on and on and splitting off into other issues... like a great big web...
I don't know what it is you believe. I would suggest praying about it, and being aware of how it makes you feel when you throw away something you know can be reused. Does it feel wasteful? Then it probably is. How do you feel when you leave your car idling for 1/2 hour just so you can be a little bit more warm or comfortable on that cold winter's day. Does it maybe feel like your spewing toxins into the air? Maybe you are and maybe it's OK to be a little cold in the winter. After all, it is winter. Maybe it's a simplistic view, but the truth is sometimes just there despite all the facts for or against something. What is God telling you about your lifestyle. That's what I would listen to, and that's what I'm trying to listen to myself.
If you are interested in getting more facts about the findings of the IPCC, you can go to this site for their FULL report. Good luck.
http://www.ipcc.ch/
2 comments:
Linda, I love that you are doing this and that I knew exactly where to turn when I wanted to know what on earth was happening with the recycling craziness here in Greenville. Thanks for your zeal and your example/ encouragement to us all. I'm so glad your running this blog.
Thanks Liz. Thanks for caring about finding out what's going on! I wish more people would be so proactive. BTW, I love your pic.
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