Beyond Global Warming
From Zanecorpwiki
First, let's start off by acknowledging that some people, right or wrong, are convinced that global warming is real and serious. Others are convinced, right or wrong, that it's not real, or isn't serious. So, what do we do about it? Well, it's pretty simple
- global warming is real, and serious and we try and fix itref group=notesThere is also the question as to whether or not we can do anything about global warming, which adds another dimension. Because we don't know whether or not we can make an effect, it doesn't change the analysis. In other words, we're either damned no matter what, in which case our decisions don't matter so we lose nothing by trying, or we can effect positive change, in which case we should. In either case, the dimension collapses in much the same way I argue that the question of global warming itself collapse./ref
- global warming is real, and serious and we do nothing
- global warming is false or not serious and we try and fix it
- global warming is false or not serious and we do nothing
What's the outcome of each case? Well, if global warming is real and serious, we should definitely try and fix it. By definition, if it's real and serious and we do nothing, then we're screwed. That's what it means to be serious. Thus, global warming is sufficient to cause us to take action.
But that assumes global warming is real and serious. What if it isn't? Then if we do nothing, we basically have the status quo. Nothing's going on and we're not doing anything new. The key to getting beyond global warming is this: if it's not real or not serious, and we do something about it anyway, we're still better off. Why? Because all the solutions to global warming have a net positive effect, which is itself sufficient regardless.
There are other issues in going green than energy production, but energy is the biggest single issue, so lets look at that. The US is the world's largest consumer of energy, but has little few oil reserves--especially relative to our consumption. Shifting our focus to domestically produced energy:
- improves independence at national, local, and even individual levels
- improves national security
- removes major funding for terrorism and hostile nations
- improves energy reliability
- reduces local pollution (smog) and increases the health of the populace
- keeps dollars in and stimulates our economy
- provides us expertise that we can export to the rest of world, shifting the balance of trade and power in our favor
In other words, global warming may be a sufficient reason to develop alternative clean, renewable, and distributed energy sources, but it's not necessary. We don't need to settle that debate before taking action. Whether we save the world, or just save ourselves, we're still better off by reducing our dependence on oil, developing new technologies, spurring our domestic economy, lowering the cost of energy, improving our position in the world, cutting funds off from hostile states, etc.
A lot of people say that global warming is the most important question of our day. Whether or not you believe that's true, global warming certainly isn't the emonly/em question of our day. There are lots of problems, but the solutions tend to be the same: improved energy independence; modern, distributed energy infrastructure; new technology. Whether or not you think big SUVs and coal power plants are killing the planet, there's no question that more petrol dollars go to funding terrorists and burning fossil fuels cause local environmental and health problems. There's no question that innovation and discoveries can be done here, but that the great bulk of our oil has to come from outside the nation, and largely from countries that don't have our best interest at heart.
I can understand that it's fun to piss off hippies, but is it really worth the cost to our national security and economy? Don't believe in global warming? Who cares. You should still buy a hybrid and sign up for green energy because you love this country, because you love peace, or simply because in the long run, it's what's going to benefit you the most.
Notes
references group=notes /
