Mother Earth -- Our Only Hope For The Future
With the threat of global warming, the future of the Earth is very much in question. Whether you say you believe -- or do not believe -- in global warming, let me just say that you most likely do, just not the reasons behind it. There is plenty of evidence to back the fact that our earth is warming. The real question is whether you believe it is manmade or a naturally occurring phenomenon. With that is also the question of whether global warming is long term or short term.
This is a real political hot button. It seems like global warming is divided straight down the partisan line. I feel by being particularly partisan, a writer alienates the very readers that he or she wants to reach, so let us look at it from a different angle.
I am not a scientist, so I can not say with any sort of conviction that global warming as caused by humans -- and something we have the power to change -- is real. I also can not say with any sort of conviction that it is not caused by humans. What I can say is that there is plenty of evidence that we are polluting our earth at an alarming rate. Anyone who disagrees with that just can’t be reached. They are already in outer space. Earth to idiot, earth to idiot….
A Bright Side to the Global Warming Issue?
If there is a bright side to such a dire issue as global warming, it is this: more people are aware of how their actions affect the world around them. However, the very best turn of events is that more people are putting pressure on our government to research alternative fuel sources. Of course, the all too recent spike of over $4.00 for a gallon of gas had many people on both sides of the spectrum speaking out anyway. I now see that the price of gasoline is slowly inching back up. How long before it is back to $4.00 a gallon?
Alternative fuel sources would solve a lot of problems that we have. Right now, the bulk of our energy money goes straight to the Middle East. What would happen if we cut off their major source of cash flow and oil became obsolete? Would al-Qaeda have the money to continue waging their jihad? They may not go totally broke, but, it is likely that their funds would be greatly diminished.
Other issues are also a great threat to the earth and our way of life. The biggest one that I can think of is a suicide bomber with access to nuclear weapons….bring on the virgins! Over-population, lack of food, pandemics….all of these and more are a threat to us and our way of life.
The Earth Rejuvenates Itself
What would happen to the earth if humans destroyed it through their own actions? Humans might disappear, but the earth, as long as there is a sun to warm it, will likely rebound the same way it always has. The earth has natural mechanisms to rejuvenate itself. For instance, water filters the pollutants out naturally through rocks and sediment. Trees and plants help the earth by filtering the air to remove pollutants.
The earth has been through many cycles of warming and cooling. If all life on earth were destroyed, amoebas would likely evolve again into some sort of life, maybe just not life the way we currently know it. The earth is a miraculous thing. It is a thing of beauty and awe. Our world is not something to be taken for granted. If we start to take good care of it, we -- and our descendants -- just might be around to enjoy it.
