I’ve been thinking.
Since I’m not an ironclad expert on … well, much of anything … what I think I bring to any discussion table is the interest in critical thought. And, as I’ve mentioned in past posts here at sustainablog, even that contribution – or the interest in making it – has wavered in recent months.
Then I had a bit of an epiphany – or maybe just a piece of an epiphany with the rest to flesh out as I continue to regain equilibrium in analyzing these lofty world issues, such as related to the environment, politics, culture wars and what the hell happened to Chase Daniel’s run at the Heisman Trophy.
What I realized was this: I’m not wrong.
As it pertains to the environment, I’m not wrong for buying into the “hoax” – or hoax, depending on viewpoint – of global warming.
I’m not foolproof right about it either. Just as I can’t be sure God doesn’t exist – or that he does – neither can I prove beyond all shadows of all doubts that humans are killing Earth.
And apparently neither can a horde of scientists, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and numerous other official bodies consisting of brains and professional specialties far beyond the realm of my knowledge.
Actually, that is the epiphany: No one authority can prove or disprove anything in this world to the extent that everyone will agree and then act – or not act – in the same way.
Debate will roil the waters until the end of humankind, be that end coming sooner or later, and be that caused by human-induced destruction or not.
Realizing my limitations and, maybe more important to me, the equally limited views of anyone who as vehemently opposes me as much as I do them – Sarah Palin, the Pope, Dick Cheney – has been a relief.
I’ve been hung-up, trying to figure out how to go about this green life knowing that no matter what I do someone despises me for it; no matter what I write for sustainablog, someone out there wants to shred me because of it; and knowing that no matter what information is presented to the world, there will only ever be disagreements about it.
So to each our own.
For me, whether conserving resources like oil, water and paper will save the planet or not, wasteful behavior doesn’t make sense. No sense.
I won’t waste resources just because some people think it doesn’t matter; and I don’t conserve printer paper because of any deluded idea that that act alone will save the world.
So I reduce, reuse, recycle. I can’t convince anyone who isn’t bothered by excessively excessive excesses that they should care enough to likewise reduce, reuse and recycle.
If they prefer to believe Newt Gingrich’s logic that the sun heats the earth (of course), not humans (what about cause and effect?), then what can I say?
If legions of scientists and many legions more of other highly educated and intelligent people believe green-minded actions are a good idea and they don’t get respect for their proof – or “proof,” depending on perspective – then what can I write that makes a difference?
I’m not a scientist and won’t become one. I’m not any kind of expert with irrefutable evidence that will motivate people to leave status quo and grow with the evolving condition of Earth and its ever-mounting numbers of people and the people’s needs.
And it seems it wouldn’t matter if I was. Like I said, no scientist or anyone else will convince me to waste resources, and there’s clearly no science on the planet that has the clout to be definitive – or close enough – for anti-green movement people.
So to each our own.
Best of luck.
Photo: Adam Williams
MammaBug
This is a great post. Instead of getting depressed about not being able to change the world. Just do you little bit.
I have new respect for religious people now that you have brought up the parallel between global warming and god! We only get proof or justification once it is too late to change anything!
Bobby B.
That sounds like a “Goodbye”. If so, it has been a pleasure sparring with you. I wish you all the best in whatever endeavor comes your way. Merry Christmas!
Uncle B
The glory belongs to man! We are at the dawning of a new age in the world. The new age will be driven by three major factors: The (GRD) great republican depression, the death of the world banking system, the rapid drying of oil supplies. Our only way out is through technology! We have that technology and the resources for their full exploitation at hand! Do not dishearten, the Bush Oil baron age is over! Obama owes nothing to the Arabs or the Israelis! Obama owes to the American people who voted for him! The following disertations will substantiate this energy position:
Think of your sons and daughters and grandchildren every time you use foreign oil! If not for unstated but very true facts of American life and the foreign oil supply, Iraq would never have happened! It is a Saudi obligation completed by George Bush! As oil grows scarcer in the world, the Saudi and OPEC demands get higher! Who do we invade next to appease them, Iran, or do we give up Israel to make them happy enough to ship oil to our shores? We must quit this “mercenary for oil” position and get real about Wind see reference below:
There is as much wind power potential (900,000 megawatts) off our coasts as the current capacity of all power plants in the United States combined, according to a new report entitled, A Framework for Offshore Wind Energy Development in the United States, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, and General Electric. http://www.capecodtoday.com/news246.htm01/01/09
And remember:
If the U.S. had chosen to be a moral people, and leaving Iraqi oil alone, and following Al Gore, decided to develop the South Western deserts, with the technology of the times – solar/thermal-molten sodium – electricity installations, for the same amount of money as that war cost, ($650 Billion), today, we would be tapping into the largest, renewable, sustainable, PERPETUAL, energy source the world has ever known. It would have paid every energy bill in the U.S.A. for maintenance fees only – FOREVER! It would be equivalent to an oil field that can NEVER run dry! Low cost electric power, and storeable hydrogen gasoline replacement from the electricity, for all!
After the millions of murders, and $650 billions of dollars, borrowed from our children’s futures and pissed away, with thousands of our own and others maimed and disfigured for life, millions of families utterly destroyed, ours and theirs, we are no closer to Iraqi oil production than the Iraqis are!
The next time you hear a blithering idiot spoiled brat, drunken, drug addicted, sociopath, rich Arabic saber dancing daddie’s boy oilman, stand at a microphone and threaten YOUR safety with someone ELSE’S weapons, remember what you lost America, remember, and weep! (also see http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=a-solar-grand-plan)