Global Warming
It seems to me that there are two large sides of the global warming debate. Side 1 believes that global warming is a direct result of industrial pollution. They feel that pollution must be reduced immediately in order to stymie global warming as soon as possible.
Side 2 believes that there is no proof of a connection between global warming and industry. They believe that reducing industry would result in a blow to economic development that is unnecessary.
Both sides are right, and both are wrong. There is no proof that industry causes global warming. However, our understanding of the atmosphere and the overall effect of certain gasses is exceedingly limited. We can measure climate changes and things like that, but to accurately gauge the overall composition of the entire atmosphere AND to be able to determine what exactly is causing what is ludicrously beyond the reach of our science. This means that even if global warming were being caused by output of certain gasses, we wouldn't be able to know this.
The side that accurately stipulates that global warming is an unproven theory, has an incorrect conclusion to its basic argument. The notion that since global warming cannot be proven is silly when you consider how we would know global warming exists. Given our science, the only way to truly know whether or not global warming is happening, would be by observing the climate. If the climate had become so extreme over such a short period (let's say average annual temperature rose 3 to 5 degrees each year with an increasing rate of increase) then it'd be pretty clear that the world was warming in an unnatural way. Unfortunately, this proof would probably come too late. In order for global warming to truly become apparent to those who do not believe in it, it would probably be at a perilous point. At this time, it may very well be totally irreversible, and the planet could be plunged into a disastrous and extremely deadly period.
Waiting for global warming to become apparent is like waiting for a murderer to kill you before you call the police. It just isn't very smart. In fact, it is completely moronic.
It is very interesting to note that the people who do not believe in global warming, are typically people who have direct interest in the well-being of corporations, and by extension, industry. You're not going to hear the CEO of General Motors saying "well, it looks like global warming is very possible." I'm not saying these people are evil, I just think they don't want to see the truth because of what it means to their lives. Also, keep in mind that every politician in major office in the US is heavily funded by industrial campaign contributions, and are surrounded by corporate lobbyists.
The fact of the matter is, whether or not global warming due to industry is happening is unclear. It probably always will be unclear unless the planet is devastated. Should we wait until then to try to stop it? I think it would be a better idea to try to stop it now. It seems like the process of global warming is a gradual one. It follows then that reversing it is just as gradual. Jobs will be lost, and money will be spent to reduce emissions worldwide. But in the end, would you rather have an economy that is slightly bruised, or have a planet that is uninhabitable? I'm not saying either one will happen or the other. But if the worse that can happen if something is done is that the NYSE and LSC go down for a little bit, that's not the end of the world. But the worse that can happen if nothing is done, is the end of the world.
I don't think people realize how difficult it is for a planet such as ours to even exist. There's a reason we have yet to find a planet similar to it. There are countless hazards to our kind of life from being allowed to be created, be developed, exist, and thrive. The temperature, atmosphere, geological composition, size, gravity, and weather all have to be in a small boundary in order for the planet to be livable. Astronomical factors like distance from the sun, our magnetic field, the proximity of the moon, the proximity of other planets and solar systems, our location in the galaxy, are all variables that have combined to allow our kind of life to exist. This very precarious and delicate balance is wire thin. We have to realize this when it comes to the global warming issue.
Side 2 believes that there is no proof of a connection between global warming and industry. They believe that reducing industry would result in a blow to economic development that is unnecessary.
Both sides are right, and both are wrong. There is no proof that industry causes global warming. However, our understanding of the atmosphere and the overall effect of certain gasses is exceedingly limited. We can measure climate changes and things like that, but to accurately gauge the overall composition of the entire atmosphere AND to be able to determine what exactly is causing what is ludicrously beyond the reach of our science. This means that even if global warming were being caused by output of certain gasses, we wouldn't be able to know this.
The side that accurately stipulates that global warming is an unproven theory, has an incorrect conclusion to its basic argument. The notion that since global warming cannot be proven is silly when you consider how we would know global warming exists. Given our science, the only way to truly know whether or not global warming is happening, would be by observing the climate. If the climate had become so extreme over such a short period (let's say average annual temperature rose 3 to 5 degrees each year with an increasing rate of increase) then it'd be pretty clear that the world was warming in an unnatural way. Unfortunately, this proof would probably come too late. In order for global warming to truly become apparent to those who do not believe in it, it would probably be at a perilous point. At this time, it may very well be totally irreversible, and the planet could be plunged into a disastrous and extremely deadly period.
Waiting for global warming to become apparent is like waiting for a murderer to kill you before you call the police. It just isn't very smart. In fact, it is completely moronic.
It is very interesting to note that the people who do not believe in global warming, are typically people who have direct interest in the well-being of corporations, and by extension, industry. You're not going to hear the CEO of General Motors saying "well, it looks like global warming is very possible." I'm not saying these people are evil, I just think they don't want to see the truth because of what it means to their lives. Also, keep in mind that every politician in major office in the US is heavily funded by industrial campaign contributions, and are surrounded by corporate lobbyists.
The fact of the matter is, whether or not global warming due to industry is happening is unclear. It probably always will be unclear unless the planet is devastated. Should we wait until then to try to stop it? I think it would be a better idea to try to stop it now. It seems like the process of global warming is a gradual one. It follows then that reversing it is just as gradual. Jobs will be lost, and money will be spent to reduce emissions worldwide. But in the end, would you rather have an economy that is slightly bruised, or have a planet that is uninhabitable? I'm not saying either one will happen or the other. But if the worse that can happen if something is done is that the NYSE and LSC go down for a little bit, that's not the end of the world. But the worse that can happen if nothing is done, is the end of the world.
I don't think people realize how difficult it is for a planet such as ours to even exist. There's a reason we have yet to find a planet similar to it. There are countless hazards to our kind of life from being allowed to be created, be developed, exist, and thrive. The temperature, atmosphere, geological composition, size, gravity, and weather all have to be in a small boundary in order for the planet to be livable. Astronomical factors like distance from the sun, our magnetic field, the proximity of the moon, the proximity of other planets and solar systems, our location in the galaxy, are all variables that have combined to allow our kind of life to exist. This very precarious and delicate balance is wire thin. We have to realize this when it comes to the global warming issue.
posted by rob | 2:16 AM
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