Rectifying a Misconception

This morning, I happened to pass the T.V. as my dad listened to FOX’s financial show and I experienced an epiphany. A guest commentator was arguing that “President Obama has incorrectly prioritized global warming over rectifying the financial collapse.” While the commentator is entirely entitled to his opinion, and he no doubt is vastly more intelligent than the 16-year-old writing this pseudo article/ blog post, I am now going to explain (using startling data and witty humor) how he is completely and unequivocally wrong. A U.S.-spearheaded campaign for the passing of a successor to the Kyoto Protocol in Copenhagen immediately would not only restore much luster to the reputation of the United States abroad, but would also go a long way toward convincing the emerging markets of India and China to join the global effort to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. This mission is of urgent importance and can no longer be delayed by corporate greed and ignorant idiocy; a last ditch effort for the survival of earth is upon us.

Tim Geithner and Ben Bernanke have busted their butts and more than likely saved the U.S. economy from complete chaos and collapse. By channeling FDR’s New Deal, many forecasters are predicting our economy’s rebound within a year. While some criticize the $787 billion stimulus as merely adding to the now nearly $12 trillion national debt, they ignore the fact that rarely has this country EVER been in the black – not since Andrew Jackson back in 1830. Secondly, there are different kinds of debt, some good (money spent for public works) and some bad (credit card debt). The stimulus bill, while expensive, not only improved our nation’s deteriorating infrastructure, but also created innumerable jobs which helped soften the blow for the 9.7% of Americans who are unemployed (the highest rate since Reagan). I think Obama has sufficiently addressed our economic woes . . . .

One of the most common arguments used by so-called global warming “dissenters” is that there are a great multitude of credible scientists who reject the notion that humans are causing global warming. Unfortunately, this argument is completely unsupported and without base. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a 1995 panel made up of over 2,500 scientists from 80 countries, which utilizes peer review to reconcile differing scientific views, found that evidence supporting the existence of climate change is indeed pervasive throughout the world. According to the IPCC, concentrations of carbon dioxide gases have increased 30 percent in the past century, and the United States is accountable for 20 percent of these emissions. During this period, the average atmospheric temperature has risen between 0.3 and 0.6 degrees Celsius worldwide, but every region of the world is affected differently. Many critics have argued that the climate began to warm after about 1850, long before man-made CO2 emissions could have been a factor and that the entire heating of the Earth is nothing but the continuation of a natural cycle. Unfortunately, all the natural variations in carbon dioxide levels in the last 650,000 years have been much smaller than the ones we are now experiencing (and yes Sarah Palin, the earth has existed for more than 6,000 years). Unfortunately, even if humans somehow stopped all emissions at this very moment, it would take 200 years for the atmosphere’s carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases to return to pre-industrial levels. Isn’t our next course of action obvious?

Obama inherited a country in shambles. The war plans in Iraq and Afghanistan have been altered; our economic meltdown has been avoided; healthcare reforms are on the table pending approval from Congress. It’s time to ensure that we are not the last generation to enjoy lushly shaded trees, serenely cascading waterfalls, and the other priceless pleasures afforded to us by Mother Nature. Climate Change can no longer afford be treated like the ugly stepsister; no other issues command as much importance and urgency as limiting CO2 emissions and developing alternative energy services to wean our country from its dependence on foreign oil. I deeply worry that a combination of public indifference and government incompetence will prevent efforts to avoid environmental catastrophe. I desperately hope that my fatalistic predictions are proven incorrect; major legislation from the Copenhagen conference (COP 15) in December would go a long way towards assuaging my fears. Another eight years of inaction is unacceptable. We will not have another chance.

- Sam Barber


Works Cited

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/08/02/geithner.economy/index.html?iref=newssearch
http://www.usdebtclock.org/
http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm

Gore, Al. An Inconvenient Truth. New York: Rodale, 2006.

Union of Concerned Scientists. “The Theory of Global Warming Is Scientifically Credible.” Opposing Viewpoints: Global Warming. (2002) Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. InfoTrac. AHHS Lib., San Antonio. 29 March 2009 .

Petit, Charles W. “Global Warming in the Antarctic.” Contemporary Issues Companion: Global Warming. (2005) Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. InfoTrac. AHHS Lib., San Antonio. 2 April 2009 .