yoder's Journal: Sometimes straddling the fence should hurt.

I've been reading posts here and on some other forums with people who say they are "skeptical environmentalists" and then go on to say that the jury is still out on Global Warming. There are those who say they just don't have enough information to make a decision about Global Warming. And that is fine, more power to them in their quest for that last bit of missing evidence, that huge red blinking neon sign that covers the sky from horizon to horizon that says "Global Warming is real. It is being caused by humans. Start fixing it now, because you might already be too late."

I'm not a scientist, but I play one on tv (not really). I need to take my science in bite sized, easily digestible morsels. Even so, I take the time to read as much as I can about a subject that could very well affect not only me and my family, but my descendants for hundreds of years. So far in my readings I have come to realize that this is a subject that has been heavily censored by the oil and coal industries. Results of scientific observation and experimentation have been removed from reports. This is not new, but has been happening in one form or another for at least 30 years. Many hundreds of millions have been dumped into the political arena to ensure that politicians who do disagree with the oil industry either do not get elected or are sufficiently beholden to their campaign contributions that they will not publicly speak against the oil industry.

Now what does this have to do with science or scientific observation? Nothing, and everything. Non scientists are making scientific policy based solely on massive lobbying and campaign contributions. Scientists are being fired for doing (gasp) science. Politicos act hurt, betrayed and surprised when scientists come up with evidence that does not fit their political aspirations. This is nothing new and goes back to Galileo and Pope Urban VIII. Since this has been happening for so long, why should we expect anything different today? I mean hell, if censorship and house arrest was good enough for Galileo it should damn well be good enough some no-name scientist buried deep in the bowels of the FDA, EPA, NOAA or NASA.

Now would oil industry executives put hundreds of millions of their own hard earned dollars into censorship and lobbying if the science already said humans are not to blame for Global Warming? Why not just put $50,000 into one ad campaign that says "Listen to the scientists, they know what they are talking about."

Now just because the oil industry hates scientists, doesn't mean Global Warming is real, but when a large majority of scientists from around the world can come to a consensus about something like this, it should not be ignored. It does not mean that they cannot be wrong, but it does mean that there is a preponderance of evidence to support the consensus. And when it comes to our future and specifically my kids, grandkids and great grandkids, I would rather be safe than have my name taken in vain by many generations as something nestled between Australopithecus and Neanderthal.

At the very least, humans have done just enough damage to our environment to muddy the waters. All this means is we have given the oil and coal industry all the ammunition they need to throw some FUD into the mix and make it stick. At the most we have caused or accelerated the warming of the earth to the point that even if we stop our greenhouse gas emissions now, what we have already done will continue to worsen until a significant percentage of the globe is uninhabitable.

I've mentioned on forums that the ice at the North pole is disappearing and have had people tell me this is hyperbole. I've had people tell me that new industries built to replace oil and coal will harm our country. I've had people tell me that as long as we keep polluting the atmosphere with soot that it will counteract the greenhouse gases and we will live in peace and harmony for ever. I've also had people tell me that it is America's right to control the world's oil for our own use and to dole out to other countries as we wish. I've heard people say "Other countries are polluting, why can't we?" And I've heard people who seem to be incredibly frightened of change lash out and attack anyone who even hints at change or sacrifice.

I have my prejudices about those who argue vehemently against environmental responsibility because I see it as incredibly short sighted. I see their misguided attempts to sabotage environmental discussions as destructive to our economy, our society, and our future. I pity them, but despise them, because their actions are harming my children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

History rarely treats the ignorant, malicious or greedy with kindness.

And Karma is a bitch.