Climate Change

[JPPelham]

All,

I have been staying strictly out of the Global Temperature debate; it has been and remains a contentious and fruitless discussion on list-serves.  However, after reviewing the various exchanges and visiting some of the suggested websites, my conscience will not allow me to refrain any longer.  There are obviously agendas at play.  I cannot fathom all of them, nor will I make the attempt.

Global Warming/Cooling, CO2, Hot/Cool Sun...whatever.  A majority of scientists studying earth’s climate are concerned over the potential effects that humans are having on the climate.  I think this statement is beyond dispute.  As an example of how people try to negate this fact, I heard one soul proclaim that upwards of 30% of the scientists at a 'Bali Symposium' refused to sign a declaration of consensus on the subject, demonstrating considerable dissent.  I later discovered that these recalcitrant scientists were upset that the measures discussed were too lenient!  Was this is a simple oversight on the part of this poor soul, or blatant misrepresentation for the purpose of misleading people?  This happens so often that I suspect an intent to defraud.

People do misrepresent themselves.  They can also be misrepresented.  Both are lies, but apparently, 'we' are becoming immune to dishonesty.  It seems to me that we shall not know who is 'right' as to whether humans influence climate for at least half a century.  But there is something unsaid in all of these arguments.  There is something that disturbs me about what seems a widespread anti environmentalism.  It is possible that it has something to do with these agendas I cannot fathom.

While cruising the internet, I read some incredibly absurd arguments from people who seem supremely qualified to post them.  There is a lot of that going around these days.  As a result of my incredulity, I formed some questions.  I think the answers are obvious enough, but I would also guess that they will generate great indignance.

1. Can there ever be too many people on the planet?  Is ever increasing human population growth not only conceivable but preferable?

2. Can 'Human Progress' and development of resources expand indefinitely?  Is there no end to human potential?

3. Is it demonstrable that the human presence on our planet does not cause stress to environments and the diversity of organisms that dwell within them?

4. Can a secular argument be generated that humans are, collectively, 'better' than any other creature?

Can anybody examine our natural world and find evidence that any creature is better than any other?   How can it be possible to show that we humans are superior creatures, especially in light of our ephemeral existence?  One cannot merely cite our 'accomplishments' as evidence of our superiority.  A complex creature is not 'better' than another simply as a product of its complexity.  Is an ant better than a solitary wasp?

The reason I exclude spiritual arguments seems obvious.  I know that there are spiritual arguments for and against, just as in the secular world.  However, the sources for spiritual support of an argument are not subject to the same scrutiny that secular facts can be.  They are <de facto> unassailable.

In my nearly 60 years on this planet, I have seen one after another of my favorite places developed or destroyed.  This has been incremental and, sorrily, I do not see an end in sight.  Many of you of similar experience (as old as me!) will note the same.  The only defense I can distill from the many arguments in support of human progress, is that people come first, all else is (apparently) subservient to our needs.  If this is so, if people are actually so precious, then it would seem that we ought to consider what the next several centuries will present us.  Instead, we plow straight ahead, blissfully unaware of consequences.

If incremental development and human progress continue at the same pace as they have, there will be no room for e.g. butterflies & moths, save those that can adapt to our environments.

That concerns me.

JPPelham


 
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