I had a conversation today with a young man. The topic of global warming came up, and it seemed to me from his facial reaction that he was not convinced that it was anything to be concerned about. So, I noted his apparent skepticism to him. He affirmed my suspicion: as far as he could see, there was no reason to be concerned.
I pointed out that the fact of global warming was reasonably established by various scientific communities. I also acknowledged that to what degree human effort could turn it around, more, to what degree human activity was causing it, was still being debated within the scientific community.
His first response to that was: what difference does it make? It won't affect me.
I am a bit older than this young man. I told him, rather passionately, that I planned to live a long time and that even though I'd be a very old man in the 50 years predicted to be our frame of reference for global warming unchecked to kick in, it would indeed affect him. It would affect my children who would be in the prime of their lives at the time (I like to think that middle ages are prime of life!).
On this score, he said something that left my jaw hanging open: None of it mattered. God would take care of global warming, because, god has a plan.
To my question of "just what if you are not right about this and spending some time doing the 15 or 20 things that any of us can do to have positive effect on the environment is the thing to do" his reply was simple and final. "I'm not wrong."
He's got the whole wide world, in his hands.
So, we don't need to care. It won't affect us. God has a plan and will take care of global warming.
Most disturbing to me? I don't think this young man is terribly alone in his attitudes.
Not convinced by his attitude? I hope not. Here's a place to find easy, practical steps that can make a huge difference in the human impact on the environment.
http://www.climatecrisis.net/takeaction/whatyoucando/
Bob
