FEBRUARY 28, 2006
Perplexed,
angry, amazed - all three emotions daily affect the environmentally conscious and aware person. When environmentalists gather they scratch their heads over the lack of outcry as to what is happening all around them. Why are not people taking to the streets over a collapsing creation proven time and time again by scientists the world over?
I am perplexed by the fact that day after day we read of celebrities on trial for something; at the Michael Jackson trial there were 1100 reporters covering his entrance and exit. How many reporters will be on hand to cover the exit of the Inuit from their native lands, or the Tuvalu Islanders who are having to be moved because of sea rise?
Anger is increasing in the hearts of many who feel that few are concerned about their plight. What is happening in real time to many around the world today will eventually happen to us, or our children and grandchildren in the future. This results in anger. Anger management is now a part of the environmentalist's daily ritual. How to turn that energy into positive behavior and work for the good of the planet is a challenge and what so many of us are trying to on a daily basis.
Above all else, I am absolutely amazed that the warnings from the scientists are falling on deaf ears. A couple of weeks ago in Exeter England a group of scientists said that global warming was much worse than they originally predicted. If I was told that there was an 85% chance of my house falling into the ocean I think I would sell my house. Maybe even 50% chance would make me take notice.
Well folks, we have a 100% chance of dramatic climate changes affecting everyone on the planet. No that is not 10% that is complete certainty that global warming is real, the weather is changing, and the human family is in serious trouble.
If I was not a person of hope I would read this to mean that I will probable be ok in my time on earth, but that my children or grandchildren will suffer immeasurably.
Hurricanes in Florida, tsunami's in Indonesia, and heat waves in Europe, record rains in my home state of California indicate something is amiss, but our leadership and our media treat these as if they are anomalies never to be repeated.
I am amazed, perplexed and angry that there is no outcry over the collapse of creation. Maybe tomorrow will be a better day.
--Peter