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JOURNAL
September 2004
HURRICANE WARNINGS
On September 10th, as Ivan was continuing its deadly march through the Caribbean, Matt Lauer of The Today Show, asked a guest scientist why there were so many hurricanes and he said the waters were about a degree warmer than normal. Then Lauer asked if that had to do with global warming and the scientist replied that it was "too soon to connect those dots." Some days later, Robert Gall of the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, CO, pretty much said the same thing: "I don't think the warming now is anywhere near enough to account for the increase in hurricanes we're seeing."
These statements are clearly irresponsible. Wouldn't it have been better to say, "I'm not sure if it's global warming, but just in case it is, we'd better act now to try to minimize the damage." The problem with global warming is that you can't wait "to connect the dots" and then act; the damage will have been done, and will be irreversible.
Also, these doubting scientists counter the compelling case made for global warming in the September 2004 issue of National Geographic. Global warming is a result of increased carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, ozone depletion and diminished oxidation. The causes for global warming are nearly all manmade: burning of fossil fuels, deforestation of the land (such as the clearing of Amazon rainforests), toxic waste, and the demands of a growing population.
While the temperatures may be a degree higher than normal near the equator, the differences at the poles are several degrees higher. At the north pole, glaciers are melting at a faster rate and at the south pole, the Antarctic ice shelf is getting smaller. This melting causes higher sea levels and eroding beaches all over the world. Moreover, the effects of the warming and melting have already been documented among several animal species, such as polar bears and penguins, that are moving closer to the poles.
Will human beings be forced to move too? Now, one-third of humankind lives within 100 miles of coastline. In populous, flood-ravaged Bangladesh, a refugee crisis is already developing. In his 1992 book Earth in the Balance, Al Gore wrote, " . . . not long after Bangladesh feels the impact, up to 60 percent of the present population of Florida may have to be relocated. Where will they go?" Only a few years ago, Gore was considered a kook in some circles. In 2004, his prediction (among many others) doesn't seem so far-fetched.
Perhaps it is time to revisit Al Gore, a prophet who, like many before him, was ridiculed by many. In his book, Gore painted a frightening scenario as to why it is necessary to act now about global warming: rising carbon dioxide levels (25% increase since WWII); surging population growth combined with the acceleration of technology; increased skin cancer rates because of the dwindling ozone layer; increased amounts of chlorine and methane in the air; deforestation of land (including in Haiti, which, sadly, contributed to the massive death toll in 2004--no forest or topsoil to hold off the floodwaters), and a prediction of hotter summers and harsher winters, and an increase in the number and strength of hurricanes. Twelve years later, I fear we haven't done nearly enough.
Americans need to lead on this issue, as we burn nearly 25% of all the fossil fuels and our appetite for red meat used mainly in our fast food restaurants is the primary reason why forest land is cleared for pasture to raise cattle. We have so much; we have a responsibility to be better stewards of what we have. It is not enough to say, "Oh well, let's build bigger, stronger houses to withstand hurricanes." (And screw those in the Caribbean!)
Ironically, while we fight to establish a democracy in the Middle East, which will ensure our continued reliance on its oil, we may discover that the real threat comes from the storms that are produced because of our burning of that oil! We reap what we sow?
What can we do? We must demand that our political representatives put this issue at the top of their agendas, no matter what the short-term cost. On an individual level, we must think about our daily actions and how they affect the planet. Can we reuse our plastic bags at the supermarket? Do we need to buy our children every plastic toy and gadget on the shelf for Christmas, or can we teach our kids to find happiness with less material goods? If we're single and live in urban areas, do we need to drive large SUVs? Do we need to each drive our own cars into the city every day? Can we cut down on our red meat consumption? We need to get tough with our government, with the media and with ourselves.
We must make the environment the number one issue of our time. If we let it slide, in the long run all the other issues won't matter. Don't we owe our children and grandchildren that much?
What's Your Opinion?
KevScoHall@Verizon.net