“Global warming is an absolute fairy tale.”
“Global warming is the most important issue facing humanity today.”
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 levels increase following temperature increases, not preceding them. 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.” Guest Blogger, Scot Loveland, Renewable Energy Manager with TCT Renewable Energy www.tctre.com
AASHE provides resources, professional development, and a network of support to enable institutions of higher education to model and advance sustainability in everything they do, from governance and operations to education and research.
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