|
 You
have almost certainly heard these exact statements, or words to
that effect, spewing out of the mouths of any number of sources:
scientists and politicians, commentators and business leaders,
mailmen and grocery store clerks. Many of these sources are
highly respected in their field. Or completely full of crap,
depending on whom you believe. To exacerbate the problem, these
factions spend as much time trying to prove their own
credibility, while damaging that of the opposition, as they do
trying prove the validity of their own argument. Glenn Beck
told me that it is my right as an American to drive any vehicle
I want. Alec Baldwin told me that Glen Beck is an idiot and
that every time I start up my SUV, a baby polar bear dies. The
volume and frequency is so great that it has almost become like
white noise. White noise that should be ignored at our own
peril…or just ignored.
Let’s imagine for the moment that we all agree on the existence
of global warming. Ahhh. Doesn’t that feel good? There is
plenty of evidence from very reputable sources that would seem
to prove its reality. This is actually the easiest part of the
whole conundrum on which to reach an accord. Now that we are
all holding hands and singing “Kumbaya” in three part harmony, I
really hate to break up our virtual drum circle with the fact
that there is another issue that must be addressed. This one is
much more complex than the first: If global warming does in
fact exist, what is the cause? Is it all part of an eons long
cycle of global cooling and warming? Is it because Americans
are the most prolific consumers of natural resources in the
world? Is it because I forgot to turn out the lights in my
living room when I left the house this morning?
On one hand, the ridiculously oversized charts in “An
Inconvenient Truth” clearly demonstrate the correlation between
carbon dioxide and temperature increase. On the other, MIT
climate researchers have demonstrated that carbon dioxide level
increases follow temperature increases, not precede it. One
argument states that the carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere
have risen since the Industrial Revolution. Others say that
nothing puts more carbon dioxide into the air than volcanic
explosions and that the global temperature has decreased
following most major volcanic events. My liberal friend Ivan,
who wears only free-range, fair trade, locally produced, organic
hemp clothing, says that this is a black and white issue and
that you are either with us or against us. My conservative
friend Chip, who drives a monster truck powered by an engine
that runs solely on the tears of the downtrodden, says that this
is a leftist plot to help create a one world government.
Seriously??? I feel like Vizinni from “The Princess Bride”
trying to figure out which goblet contains the iocaine powder.
Allow me to present you with a third option that will
simultaneously blow your minds, expand your horizons and free
your souls. Global warming is irrelevant. Forget
about it. It does not matter. There, I said it. Now before
you string me up from the nearest wind turbine, hear me out. It
does not really matter whether or not global warming exists
because you do not need to believe in global warming to believe
in being environmentally responsible. Our environment is a
nonrenewable resource. It is the only one that we have and I am
pretty sure that it is the only one that will be available to
our grandchildren. Being environmentally conscious is good for
all of us regardless of our beliefs or political affiliations.
We all benefit from clean air and clean water. No one gains
when a species becomes extinct. The long term harm caused by
clear cutting an old growth forest certainly outweighs the short
term profits. And, believe it or not, we can benefit
financially from sound environmental practice as well.
When asked by an interviewer how he would make his first billion
if he were once again a young man in his 20’s, Ted Turner
replied without hesitation that he would invest in renewable
energy. T. Boone Pickens and Warren Buffett have made similar
statements. Renewable energy is one of the fastest growing
market segments in the world and there is no reason why we as
Americans cannot and should not reap the rewards of leading the
world in a renewable energy revolution. There are billions to
be made in R&D and manufacturing. Renewable energy can be the
new US Steel or GM. And don’t think for a minute that if we
don’t assume the mantle of leadership that other countries
won’t. China would love to control that market as would India.
Environmental responsibility is the economic future. Also,
there is absolutely nothing wrong with turning a profit, but it
should not be done at the expense of the natural environment.
Environmental stewardship should not be the fierce partisan
political issue that it has become, but a jointly pursued goal
that produces quantifiable economic results and corresponding
increases in the quality of life. Responsible environmental
stewardship is not dependent upon whether or not I carry a card
from the ACLU or the NRA. It is not Right. It is not Left. It
is not Communism. It is not an Autocracy. It is American and
it is good for all of us. And that is something that we should
all agree on.
Please do not email me with scientific data proving or
disproving global warming; or things like, “Internal combustion
engines can’t actually run on human misery.” If you do feel the
need to send out such correspondence, you have missed the entire
point of my article. Please delay sending any pending hate mail
until you have had a chance to carefully reread the article.
Then the next time someone asks where you stand on global
warming, simply turn to them with a small, patient smile and
proudly say, “It doesn’t matter.” |
