The Herald (Aug. 15) published an Associated Press story about divisiveness on climate change. Unfortunately, this issue has become more polarized recently. Many see the issue as political. The article cites those who “believe in” global warming and those who do not as if it were a religion.
It is not a religion. 97 percent of climate scientists are convinced, based upon the evidence, that human-caused global warming is happening. These are “climate scientists,” not physicists or other scientists without expertise in the study of climate.
It has been said that this is a moral issue, not a political one. Regardless, many persist in seeing it as political. These people seem to fear that action on climate is a conspiracy to deny their rights. Those perceived rights are often seen as continued product consumption. We live on a bountiful planet, which has given us many resources, particularly for the last 200 years or so. Having benefited from these resources, we tend to overlook the fact that the planet is finite.
We can’t continue to take more and more from this finite resource without negative results. This fact is what actually threatens the “rights” many fear losing.
It doesn’t matter what your political party is, most of us fail to live in a equitable relationship with the planet. Neither the planet nor science really care whether you are a Democrat or a Republican.
There are, however, people like climate scientist Katherine Hayhoe who is an Evangelical Christian; Bob Inglis, Republican and former Congressman, cited in the article; and even George Schultz, Ronald Reagan’s secretary of state who feels it is critical we take action on climate to reverse the devastation human activity has wrought.
They all support the actions of Citizens’ Climate Lobby in this work. The Durango chapter of CCL welcomes you to take action on this crucial concern. Contact the chapter at durangoccl@gmail.com
Andrew Zeiler
Gem Village
