The Climate Debate Heats Up
An Odd take on Climate Change
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Are you concerned about the climate? Of course you are! The question is, “How concerned?” After all, we all live in a climate and it impacts us in one way or another; if it’s hot, cold, raining, snowing, etc. But what about the bigger picture? Well, that’s when things get complicated.
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A Heated Debate
Climate change is such a hot-button topic, pun intended. I reckon you have an opinion on the matter as do I and everyone else. Generally, these beliefs fall into two main over-arching categories. These can be summed up with the statements:
“The climate on earth is getting hotter and we humans are to blame with our cars, factories, farting cows, and all that! We’re all going to die unless the government does something to intervene! The decisions on our continued existence shouldn’t rely on climate deniers who only care about making money and “owning the libs”! That’s childish! We’ve got real problems…”
“The earth goes through cycles of temperature change and there’s no proof that humans are responsible for any change, let alone any significant change. CO2? Ha! Correlation doesn’t equate to causation. Regardless, even if the USA did make laws, other countries contribute far more CO2 than we do so it’s useless…”
Sound familiar? That said, the debate can get more - ugh, I’ll say it - nuanced. Each side has good points. Which side of the aisle are you on?
I live in San Antonio, TX. Our summer (2024) was relatively mild while last year it was scorching hot. What gives? In 2021, we had The Great Texas Freeze. It was a week of temperatures as low as zero! Of course, these instances are rare and anecdotal. Yet, are we experiencing ups and downs all over the place? You tell me.
The Temperament of Temperature
Maybe you’re wondering where I sit on the whole issue. I flip back and forth. Here are my thoughts, whether you like them or not:
Earth’s temperature is changing. It always has and always will. To blame any change in the weather solely on humans is disregarding nature and her proven moodiness since the dawn of time. How many ice ages has she gone through?
We humans are trashy. By that, I mean we pollute. There’s a negative consequence to that pollution. To what degree does it impact the weather? No one knows. But it’s generally a good rule to “Give a hoot! Don’t pollute!”
We humans are resource hogs. We’re so addicted to comfort and economic growth that we turn a blind eye to any externalities. (Nerd word!) We could be more disciplined and economical in our resource consumption.
Environment activists think that yelling, shaming, or protesting will convince the other side to change their behavior. It only makes them push back harder.
Industrialists deem higher revenues, increased jobs, and overall higher GDP for the nation is a win for everyone; lowering restrictions enables growth. “If you want to bake a cake, you gotta crack some eggs.” However, this is not the goal of everyone yet it can impact everyone.
If everyone in the US lived like the Amish, we may have overall less pollution and carbon emissions. But we would also have to give up a huge chunk of our modern conveniences. I like my MacBook Air!
Where am I right? Where am I wrong? Share in the comments below!
Steward Little
I’ve referred to myself as a “bleeding heart conservative.” At my core, one could place me in the environmentalist category. Somehow, many feel that this goes against my Christian beliefs. It doesn’t. I believe that the earth is God’s and we are to be stewards of it. If you don’t think we can do better job, go to a landfill. The stench alone will make you want to cut back.
Our current lifestyle and culture aren’t conducive to low trash or low pollution. I realize I’m a part of the problem. But is the solution draconian government dictates? No. That would only cause revolt; like that aforementioned pushback. Fighting each other over it isn’t an answer either. I have some possible solutions, but those are for another time. Until then, stay cool!
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Jason