Looking Beyond Global Climate Change

In the debate over global warming, the reasoning of those who oppose taking action usually centers on accuracy of the science. However, regardless of how one looks at the science, there still is reason for concern as well as reasons everyone should want to take action even if they are not convinced by the evidence.

While there is no way to perfectly measure past temperatures and levels of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere, all the best evidence is pretty consistent and pointing to in the same direction. However, lets put that all aside and look at other reasons why the most prudent and logical thinking does point to taking action now.

There are some things that everyone should be in agreement on:

First, people should be aware that the greenhouse effect itself is something there is absolutely zero scientific debate on. Certain gases most certainly trap heat in the atmosphere. Without this effect, global temperatures would be much lower and life as we know it could not exist. The only point in debate is if human activity is increasing the quantity of these gases enough to effect global temperatures.

Also, many people assume that the natural state of world temperatures is rather constant. However, when we look at the geologic record, nothing could be further from the truth. Global temperatures are certainly not written in stone and in fact have varied from the very hot to global ice ages over the history of the planet.

Finally, human beings clearly do dump massive amounts of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere, and human activity has reduced the capacity of the planet to absorb these gasses by causing advancing deserts and other environmental problems. While some argue that human activity is small compared to the size of the earth and natural forces, it is something that compounds daily.

With these facts in mind, even if one is not convinced by the evidence given by the scientists to prove global warming, is this not this at least a cause for concern? We know that the global warming is real, that the climate fluctuates and they human activity is changing the atmosphere at least to an extent. Even if it cannot be absolutely proven it is enough to change global climate, it cannot be proven it is not either.

Furthermore, there are other reasons to take action even if global climate change could be taken completely out of the equation. Fossils fuels are from fossils and will run out in a relatively short period of time, even if the world does not experience a major crisis with oil soon as some fear. Also, much of the money spent on fossil fuels goes to corrupt, oppressive regimes and it often ends up in the hands of terrorists and others that most people do not want to finance.

By moving toward energy conservation and alternatives to fossil fuels now, we can start moving towards a future where clean energy can be produced at home with an economy that is much more efficient. This should be something that everyone apart from those directly profiting from oil should support. The policies needed to combat climate changed would have positive benefits for humanity that go well beyond the current debate.

Regardless of personal thoughts about global warming, all humanity should have the goal of moving toward a future of more sustainable, clean energy and away from fossil fuels and all their problems.

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