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Originally Posted by Shannon
Recycling, using gasoline and energy more efficiently/effectively, properly disposing of dangerous wastes, and so forth, certainly can't HURT the environment and are thus viable options for those who wish to participate in doing something vs. maintaining the status quo.
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Well said, Shannon and your comments are right on. I do believe climate change is here. I believe we are much of the cause. I was saddened to read of Mr. Gore's energy bill and agree, it hurts his credibility. Nonetheless, I think his message is accurate.
But, let's consider just a moment, that our hypothesis is wrong -- that greenhouse gases and use of fossil fuels are not the cause of climate change. If so, we could continue to use non-renewable sources of energy and throw the talk of conservation to the wind. We could forget about developing renewable and sustainable energy sources.
What sort of legacy is that? We have an obligation to steward this world for our children and their children. Our parents wanted a better life for us than what they had endured. We must do the same. If we fail to address fossil fuel and non-renewable energy use, we will reach a point of so-called peak oil. When that happens, supply will drop and demand will make $62/bbl oil seem like a dime store bargain. What will we say to our families and our children when our economies are paralyzed as a result?
On that basis alone and irrespective of one's view of global warming, we must act. We must conserve and we must search for and develop renewable and sustainable energy sources. To do otherwise is a callous disregard for our duty to ourselves and others.
BBH