Environmental Capitalism

I recycle what my city allows. They pick up papers, cans and some forms of plastic. The green movement and Al Gore both influenced this decision. If I am honest with myself I do it because it feels good. What I do is my limited response to the global warming movement. The media reports that scientists are in agreement for the most part over what damage we are causing and the solutions we must enact. Only a few problems exist in which real cause and effect can be observed. These are what our dollars and effort should be focused on.

Two areas, carbon release and temperature change, are hallmarks of the cult of personality made popular by Mister Gore. What may surprise you is that a very small percentage of all carbon released into the atmosphere is due to man. Almost all carbon is due to decaying growth, volcanoes and forest fires. I am also skeptical that industry causes increased temperatures. Readings have only been recorded for a few hundred years yet the Earth is billions of years old. Can we really say that any changes are not part of natural cycles?

Pollution and smog are problems that are observable. Ask any resident of Los Angeles and they will agree. We need to breathe clean air. Asthmatics are not alone in this. Reducing emissions from cars and factories should be a priority if for no other reason than to keep our air from making us sick. Money spent towards this endeavor is fully justified. If it takes greater legislation than so be it. Money can be made by companies willing to tackle this project through innovation and government funding. It is certainly cheaper in the long run to keep citizens healthy.

Coal mining is a necessary evil. What would we do without electricity? Oil wells must be dug as petroleum is integral in creating many goods we use daily. The damage that is done is self-evident. Pristine mountainous ranges are flattened and stripped bare. Alaskan wilderness is destroyed and native species displaced. People often complain that the US is beholden to middle eastern countries for oil. The only way to solve these problems is with alternate fuel sources. Research is the key but people must willing to tolerate these new options. Windmills, for example, have to be placed in someone's backyard.

There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to the environment and our affect on it. We can measure some of what we observe but the long term implications are hard to quantify. This is why I feel it is prudent to work on what problems we have now rather than what may or may not occur down the road. One might argue that by solving what we can today will ensure a better tomorrow. There is a lot of debate from various sides as to what is wrong, what to do and whom to blame. Some might prefer to argue but I prefer our energy be directed towards productive ends.