America Unprepared for Climate Change
May 26, 2009 by Jennifer Chait
Filed under Green Living
According to a report out this year, the National Research Council claims that US agencies and political leaders are not getting the right information or guidance needed to prevent further climate change or even to deal with the current climate change issues.
According to the piece highlighting this news, featured at Common Dreams, “A record number of Americans – some 41% – now believe the danger of climate change has been exaggerated in the mainstream media, a new Gallup poll found. In contrast, only 28% thought the media had downplayed the dangers of global warming... The rise of climate change doubters was among Republican and non-affiliated voters – but not Democrats – and was confined to those above the age of 30.”
Should we be worried – is climate change real?
I get hate emails all the time saying I’m crazy for promoting things like avoiding climate change and halting global warming from people who say it’s one, a waste of time, and two, that there’s no way global warming is real. Many of the people emailing me about this say things like, “Global warming is a myth.”
Global warming could be a total myth but…
The thing that irks me about climate change is that it’s almost a moot point. People are so focused on climate change, global warming, and other titles given to this problem, that they’re ignoring the bigger picture. I’m not up for fighting folks who think global warming is a lie. I don’t really care what people think. The bigger picture is that whether or not global warming is true or false, it doesn’t affect the reasons why people should still go green. The things we can do as humans that may prevent global warming are just plain good for human health and happiness, no matter what you believe.
For example, why not conserve resources (like oil) that we know will run out eventually? Why not have cleaner air so we can be healthy? Why would we want crazy junk like pesticides in our food? Why drive everywhere when you could bike or walk, get some exercise, and be healthier?
The green steps we can take to prevent global warming are not good for preventing the maybe situation of global warming; these steps are healthy and smart.
Green steps that halt global warming and that have other benefits:
- Lower carbon emissions and stay healthy by walking, biking, car-pooling, or skating some of the time instead of driving.
- Save money and resources by turning off electronics when not in use.
- Build green, or live in a green-built home that will use less energy and emit less greenhouse gases. This will save you money and green homes are healthier for you and your family.
- Clean with non-toxic cleaners that one, won’t pollute the air, water, and soil and two, won’t pollute your body.
This issues that affect global warming don’t just affect the planet. They affect human health and your budget. If you don’t believe in global warming, so what? You should still believe in your own well-being.
If you are on board, see more ways to prevent global warming.
Coming up later, I’ll post the best argument for global warming prevention that I’ve personally heard.
[image via stock.xchng]
So true! I’ve said that kind of thing myself to people who want to argue about global warming. If you don’t want to believe in it there’s only so much I can do to change your mind, but it’s much harder to argue that avoiding waste and pollution is a bad idea. There are still those who just won’t care, but reframing the argument can help.
Agreed – reframing is I think what works for a majority of folks who don’t believe in climate change. Pollution and clean air actually affect folks now.