Global Warming Myth can be good for America
Bryan May 12th, 2008
Yup. That’s right. I said it. If the theory of global warming is proven false, it could still have a positive effect on America, its people, its economy, and of course its environment. Bear with me here.
I’m not an apologist for either side of the global warming debate. It has become far too virulent and toxic (pardon the pun) for me to stomach. And I’m learning that being reasonable is sometimes labeled being radical. I’m ok with that. As a Christian, I’m supposed to be counter-cultural.
So here goes. I support a number of the activities that the global warming theorists recommend for grassroots involvement. But I don’t agree with others. How’s this for a list?
The Good
- Becoming more energy efficient. How is this a bad thing? It lowers our utility bills AND reduces our dependence on foreign energy. How is NOT spewing tons of sulfur and nitrogen compounds and heavy metals into the air and water a bad thing?
- Using smart, renewable sources of energy like solar, wind, non-impounded hydro, and co-generation. And how about ethanol made from switchgrass instead of corn? Switchgrass grows in places food crops won’t, so it won’t be raising food prices or causing worldwide food shortages.
- Recycling. I know, we’ve all heard Penn and Teller spout off about recycling. But considering all angles, how exactly is it better for the environment to dig out new resources when people are throwing old ones away?
- Reducing consumption. While our economists might not like this one, your wallet sure will.
The Bad
- Carbon sequestration. Somehow, spending billions of dollars to capture carbon dioxide and inject it into the earth somewhere (where it’s probably going to seep out later anyway) does not sound like a good idea to me.
- Dependence on Carbon Credits. These can be a good thing, except when you buy carbon credits to justify the way out, consumerist lifestyle you’re living. Here’s a great example, Al Gore.
And notice, I’m not asking our government to get involved at all. I’ve found that usually the government pretty much screws everything up. I’m talking about folks getting serious about their own lifestyles and habits. Making even small changes leads to bigger ones.
P.S. I had a great comment discussion on this about a month ago over at Serendipity, so go check it out. Then come back HERE and tell me what YOU think I missed!
- Current Affairs , Environment
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Man, that guy that writes serendipity sure is smart and definitely married up (of course, what other direction could he go?)
Good post. It is wise to be wise with the earth that God gave. What scares me is the government, or worse yet, the UN getting involved. I have heard rumblings of a international tax to fight global warming.
When it is used as a political tool to gain advantage, or to spread socialism, I draw a huge line.
BTW, I was jealous of you getting to go to lifework. I would love to hear about those topics.
Scott, I agree with you completely. I wholeheartedly disagree with ANY issue being used as a hammer for a power grab. And you’re right, that’s happening to a large degree with environmentalism. Though I hate labels, that’s why I describe myself as a conservationist.
Because some are using it for a power grab, others react to the issue in the polar opposite way, when what they’re really upset about is the power grab. Good point Scott!
I’ll have to share my LifeWork 2.0 notes with you sometime. It was well worth it.
Bryan
Good article. Basically, the Communists in Russia made environment one of their big issues. And with carbon being the scapegoat, hey, it’s perfect. You never run out of it and it’s free, unlike Freon.
Rotting plants make more carbon than human beings. Animals make more carbon than human beings. Volcanoes make more carbon than human beings.
When we only account for 3 percent of all carbon. We could all die out and there would still be 97 percent of the carbon on earth.
Now as far as energy savings…saving the dollar is the only green I understand. And those carbonites are not about saving dollars, they are about getting ours. I’ve written an article you might be interested in at Crosspolitics.com. called The Coming Carbon Tax.
I am going to post a link to your article on that one.
Thanks for a sensible article.
TL Watchman
[...] Global Warming Myth can be good for America- Somehow, spending billions of dollars to capture carbon dioxide and inject it into the earth somewhere (where it’s probably going to seep out later anyway) does not sound like a good idea to me. Dependence on Carbon Credits. … [...]
[...] to T.L. at Crosspolitics for picking up on the post I did on Global Warming a few weeks [...]