Global Climate Change May Test This Statement

September 30, 2015 by kmabarrett

You never know how much you really believe anything until its truth or falsehood becomes a matter of life and death to you.

― C.S. Lewis

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On This Day In:
2021	Four Down, Three To Go
	It Still Ain’t
	Boosted
2020	Three Down, Four To Go
	Twenty-Four ‘Til You
2019	Two Down, Five To Go
2018	Year One, Done!
2017	First Day Of Retirement!
2016	Revere And Criticize
2015	Global Climate Change May Test This Statement
2014	Adaptability Won
2013	Disappeared
2012	Fuller
	Life On The Range
	More Classics
2011	Stoned Again?
2010	Insubordination… And That’s Why I Love Her!
	Losing – Week One

Posted in Philosophy, Politics, Quotes | Tagged C.S. Lewis, Global Climate Change, On Truth, Philosophy, Politics, Quotes | 6 Comments

6 Responses

on October 11, 2015 at 12:12 am | Reply PrayThroughHistory

Will climate change result in the global cooling scenario touted in the 1970’s, or in global warming?
- on October 11, 2015 at 1:15 pm | Reply kmabarrett
  
  Hi PrayThroughHistory,
  Thank you for the visit and making the time to comment on my post.
  
  Your comment is one of the classic logical fallacies used against science – because we don’t know everything absolutely and precisely, we should not make any plans or take any action based on what we do know now, because it might be “proved” wrong in the future. This argument is commonly used against science because (by definition) “good” scientific knowledge is based on the observation of “facts” which produces theories which may change to comport with “new” facts. How many times does a 1,000 year flood have to happen in 100 years (or a single decade) before science changes the definition of a 1,000 year storm? This change does not negate the fact there are severe storms which must be planned for and their frequency must be estimated.
  
  My response to your question is does it matter whether we destroy the Earth through fire or ice – destroyed is destroyed. “Destroyed” is, of course, an overstatement. The Earth will continue to exist. It simply won’t be inhabitable by humans. The interesting thing for me is not global climate change ending human life, because I doubt that would happen in the short (next 50 years) or medium (next 200 years) term. Although it is certainly possible, I just personally don’t think it would happen that quickly.
  
  What I do see happening is the effects of surface water level increasing anywhere from 10 to 50 feet. This, combined with storm surges and changes in power frequency (how many 1 in a 100 years or 1 in a 1,000 years storms) we start having in a decade or less.
  
  Modern cities (and therefore civilization) exist based on our ability to forecast weather and commit community funds to the creation and maintenance of waste infrastructure and transportation infrastructure sufficient to survive “disastrous” weather events. If humanity loses the ability to live safely in low land areas or along coastal regions due to increased storm activity, we will be forced to make radical alterations to where we can “safely” locate densely populated urban areas.
  
  Personally, I am more concerned about the short term (next 50 years) effects we are already having on the ocean with pollution and over-fishing. I am currently 60 years old. God willing, I may live another 25 to 30 years. If you want to kill wolves, kill the grass. No grass, no rabbits; no rabbits, no wolves. Man is the apex predator on Earth. Kill the base of the food chain (the oceans) and eventually you kill mankind. The question is: where is the “tipping point” for the oceans – the point where they are no longer able to sustain life as we know it on Earth. Once we (humanity) pass that point, it won’t take long for mankind to exercise the last advantage of being the apex predator. After all, Soylent Green is people. Pray on that thought for awhile…
  
  Again, thanks for stopping by and commenting…
  - on October 11, 2015 at 3:21 pm | Reply PrayThroughHistory
    
    I wasn’t thinking that hard. Just wanted to see if you had any best guesses. I DO appreciate your heartfelt and thoughtful reply!
    - on October 12, 2015 at 12:57 pm | Reply kmabarrett
      
      LOL!
      
      Thanks for knocking my soapbox out from under me…
      
      Nope. No best guesses. It’s like Robert Frost said: “Fire and Ice”. (If you haven’t read the poem lately, you can google it or find it at: https://kmabarrett.wordpress.com/poems/fire-and-ice/ )
      
      And, again, many thanks for the visits and comments.
      - on October 13, 2015 at 12:32 pm | Reply PrayThroughHistory
        
        I guess I have a related passion. I want people to feel interconnected with the past, to clear the air in the present, and to prepare for s freer future. As a species, we don’t have a great track record. All the best!
        
        on October 15, 2015 at 9:13 am | Reply kmabarrett
        
        “Related passion” is a great way to put it. I feel very much the same about the past – and desire to understand it better / deeper. At the moment, generally I’m disappointed with the present. I had hoped humanity would be a lot further along in my lifetime (remember that man had landed on the moon before I turned 15). Personally, I have very little to complain about (relatively good health and a wonderful family). And, I remain hopeful for the future (ever the optimist). I think, as a species, we have a pretty successful track record. We’re just not particularly good housekeepers and unfortunately, for the next 100 or so years, this Earth is the only house we have.