The Evolution of Misdirection

In pouring through the news briefs, it's interesting to watch the opposing theory that states that global warming is caused by oceans, sun activity, anything but human origin. The story broke with the video I pasted below and was quickly challenged by other scientists, each stating the other is wrong.

The evolution here is that in recent articles, the source of the movie that started this view is omitted and now "new" stories are coming out saying essentially the same thing; that a) global warming is a natural phenomenon (with supporting theories by intelligent scientists and b) we are being scared by corporations looking to capitalize on this green movement (I suppose I belong to "b").

The concern here is that this opposing story is gaining ground, which could stall this call to action that has been taking hold of late. I think it's human nature to do nothing rather than do something. We are such adaptable creatures and will certainly rally to a cause if we our backs are against the wall. But throw in a seed of doubt and the momentum wanes. This is why conservative political views will always have a large measure of popularity. It's simply easier to point out the faults of others and do nothing than to create and implement a solution. The hill is steeper and rockier for the team that wants to change the paradigm.

Forget global warming for a second, think global changes. Our oceans our being fished up to three times sustainable rates, we are losing species to extinction at a rate of 100 to 1000 times historic background rates, each day we lose an area of forest twice the size of Paris. Beyond man made CO2 vs natural solar phenomenon, we - us humans - "man", we are having an impact on the planet, without question.

When it comes down to the question, "should I do something to help?", the debate of whether global warming is natural or man made is moot. Of course it's natural, but on the same hand, it's hard to deny we aren't playing a large catalyst in this natural evolution. When you see a house on fire, you don't first try to figure out why, you get some water and try to put the fire out. One thing we are learning in all this is the earth is in a delicate balance with a lot of different factors. We are definitely a factor in the balance and any change in that balance.

Just as a story can be peddled and rehashed, re-invented and reborn, we need to evolve as well. The solution for global warming, global deforestation, fishing, poverty, drought, global anything - is do everything you can to help create sustainability of our resources.

Don't get me wrong, we should understand what is causing the problem, it helps in pinpointing a more exact solution, but there is so much low hanging fruit where we can help, right now without ever needing to know the cause.

Sources:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4563499.stm
http://www7.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0704/feature1/index.html
http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/40837/story.htm