Global Warming

[ThisYouWillDo]

Ozme, you know why I gave you that lable. But as you object to it, I withdraw it.


... on the Road to Damascus

OK - how can I take the next step gracefully? Well, I can admit right now - in fact I already have - that I dont know anything about global warming. I believed what I have been told by those I thought most credible.

So I decided to find out something about it and, quite frankly, I have become quite disillusioned. A plague on both houses! It's just two sets of vested interests competing against each other, one for profit and one for funding. The planet is no more than a political football.

There does seem to be agreement, however, that global warming is happening, and no-one knows where it will stop, or how dire the conseqences might be.

So I shall carry on doing my "bit", just in case it helps. I shall continue to sort my refuse for recycling, I will prefer green products. I will try to reduce my carbon footprint because it just seems a responsible thing to do.

And I shall carry on caring about endangered species, and resist the temptation to wipe them out to obtain some small advantage or trivial comfort. I do believe strongly that the only supportable reason for destroying life can be for self-preservation.


TYWD

[Thorne]

So I decided to find out something about it and, quite frankly, I have become quite disillusioned. A plague on both houses! It's just two sets of vested interests competing against each other, one for profit and one for funding. The planet is no more than a political football.

Disillusionment can be tough. I'm sorry you have to experience it. I had the same unfortunate occurrence many years ago. All you can do is trust your instincts. Doubt everyone, especially those who holler the loudest. The squeaky wheel may get the grease but that doesn't necessarily mean it should.

Unfortunately, many of those who are most vocal about global warming are in the same boat you were in. They think they know what's happening but generally are only listening to one side of the story. It's not the scientific approach, but it is human.

For my part, I tend to doubt most things, especially when they are espoused by politicians or religions. To my mind neither of those institutions can be trusted. Science, in general, should be trustworthy, but scientists are human as well, and as such are subject to the same foibles and failings as anyone else. Only when multiple sources can agree on a piece of data should you believe that it is probably right. But even then, something we learn tomorrow may toss everything we know today into the trash.

As for conserving species, I applaud your dedication. As long as it doesn't cost HUMAN lives, I see nothing wrong with it. As I've said, though, I personally don't feel the necessity. What will be will be, and the strong will survive, whether they are human, or insect or some nasty fungus. I just wish someone could explain to me why, if man is so good at destroying species, the cockroach is still driving us nuts!

[Ozme52]

As for conserving species, I applaud your dedication. As long as it doesn't cost HUMAN lives, I see nothing wrong with it. As I've said, though, I personally don't feel the necessity. What will be will be, and the strong will survive, whether they are human, or insect or some nasty fungus. I just wish someone could explain to me why, if man is so good at destroying species, the cockroach is still driving us nuts!

The only problem with that equation is that we often have to make a judgement call without sufficient information. Look at the DDT issue. It's pretty well accepted that millions have died because of the resurgence of malaria. What we don't know is if that's a larger or smaller number than if we continued using DDT. Most think the costs were outweighed by the benefits. But the short term view would have beem keep using the DDT.

And TYWD, this is a perfect example of man trying to do the right thing. It just doesn't get enough play because it's old news and 'global warming' is this decade's "buzz."

[Isabelle90]

I believed what I have been told by those I thought most credible.

So I decided to find out something about it and, quite frankly, I have become quite disillusioned. A plague on both houses! It's just two sets of vested interests competing against each other, one for profit and one for funding. The planet is no more than a political football.

If only more people would investigate for themselves! The issue of global warming is not presented to the public in terms of monetary value or political football (love that phrase), but, in essence, that is what it has become.

So I shall carry on doing my "bit", just in case it helps. I shall continue to sort my refuse for recycling, I will prefer green products. I will try to reduce my carbon footprint because it just seems a responsible thing to do.

That was the point I made earlier. There is no reason we cannot all do our "bit." If nothing else than to consider it maintenance of the planet for our children.



I've throroughly enjoyed reading this thread as posts are made. How can one tire of such a friendly debate?