I tried to write something about global warming yesterday, but it ended up sounding like a string of words poorly sewn together. I hope to do better with this one. Here goes.
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Global Warming and climate crisis is probably one of the hottest subjects of discussion today (stupid pun unintended), partly because of the stir Al Gore caused with his presentation-slash-movie An Inconvenient Truth. From what I’m reading all over the Internet, the response to the issue has been generally apathetic or negative. Many think it is overrated. Still, others believe it is a hoax (which, I think, is a stupid notion).
I’m no meteorologist. I don’t study the melting of the ice caps. I know little about this shebang (well, about its statistics, at least). What I’m certain of is that humans are doing some kind of damage to the environment–whether we admit it or not–and that if we don’t control this damage, things are going to take a turn for the worse.
In his presentation, Gore fed the audience with many, many statistics, all of them grisly. Rising CO2 concentrations in the air here, higher temperatures there, more melting glaciers over yonder. No doubt, these stats slap in our faces the urgency of the issue, and the imminent need to address it.
But behind all these stats and clips of crumbling ice shelves, there is an aspect of the issue that should urge us to cross the threshold and become part of the solution instead of the problem. The human aspect of the crisis.
Think about it. The climate crisis was ignited not by the actions we take today (although they certainly do fuel it), but by the actions people took yesterday. The crisis is also still unsolved today because of what people didn’t do yesterday–that is, to investigate and try to discover ways to reverse the negative effects of human progress.
The result of this is the present worsening case of Global Warming. Its effects are felt today, but feebly so. There were a few deadly heat waves a couple of years back, and increasing global temperatures also harbinger worse things to come. Surely, the future will mean stronger effects of the climate crisis–that is, if no one does anything to prevent the crisis from worsening.
What disturbs me about this whole thing is that the people who caused the crisis in the first place will most likely not feel its wrath. Instead, it will be my generation and all generations who will come after ours who will have to suffer the consequences. We will have to come up with new ways to live if we want to survive a planet in distress.
The Bible has a principle that goes something like, “A son should not have to suffer the consequences of his father’s ill actions. Neither does a father have to suffer the consequences of his child’s ill actions.” Does the same principle not stand true for the climate crisis?
If I were a father right now, I would feel inclined to help find a solution. I would, after all, have been part of the problem. I would feel guilty towards my son if I could not right my wrongs so he could live a safe life. I would not be able to live with myself if I stood idly by as he took the beating that was due me.
I was born in the mid-90′s, when the climate crisis was already far from its infancy. In fact, I knew nothing of it until very recently. Now, I realize that there is no way to turn back time and force people not to do the things that led up to this problem. I realize that all we can do now is act to solve the issue before it crosses that threshold known as the damning Point of No Return.
When I think of it, I shouldn’t have to do anything about this. I mean, I didn’t start this whole mess. Some other douchebag(s) did. I should be sitting back, relaxing, sipping banana juice while I watch them right their wrongs.
But when I think about it deeper, I realize that I am obliged to take part in solving it. I remember that plastic wrapper I didn’t throw in the garbage can two weeks ago. I remember that piece of paper I didn’t recycle. I remember the three extra hours I kept my laptop on without really using it.
It might seem insignificant, but it contributes to the big picture. I guess I am part of the problem. So I’m going to be part of the solution. At the end of the day, I am an inhabitant of this Earth. The Higher Power gave me the right to use its resources, as well as the responsibility of keeping it clean and livable for future generations.
Humanity has neglected its responsibility. It’s trying to change, but the phrase “too little, too late” comes into mind. To be fair, it’s not too late–yet. But if we don’t get off our butts, it will be. On the bright side, many nations are now taking steps to clean up their act. Many countries have adapted a Clean Air Act, and governments are doing their very best to implement that law. Unfortunately, I see no united, concerted effort to make a huge difference. Hopefully, things are going to change.
There is a saying that goes, “We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors. We just borrow it from our children.” This Earth we live in now is not ours. It is our children’s. They unconsciously lent it to us. Still, they will expect us to return it to them as a livable planet.
So, we are responsible to our children. I will not accept the notion that we will give this Earth to them in a shoddy, ramshackle state. That would be deeply unethical. This is exactly why we need to act now, before it’s too late.
Many an article has been written in this same tone, so much so that they are neglected and thought of as “too panicky” or “magnifying the issue”. I think not. These articles do not magnify the issue. Instead, those who refuse to heed its message belittle it.
I will end this by reiterating that last quote. I hope you will ponder on it and understand the task at hand. “We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors. We just borrow it from our children.”
