The Climate Change Debate
Caitlin Carter
January 25, 2010
Filed under Features, News, Opinions and Views
“Global warming.” Two very powerful words everyone has been hearing for years now. Despite their prevalence in the media, however, there remains a significant divide between those that promote awareness of the term and those that impede it. Finally, there is a third division: those that are rendered apathetic by their lack of knowledge. These groups and their motivations will be thoroughly examined below.
Firstly, there are those that recognize the phenomenon termed as “global warming” (as well as the alternate forms “climate change” and “global destabilization”) as an actual event that raises great concern for our environment. North Augusta’s own Jen Harlan is among this group, saying, “I think we all need to realize that global warming is a very real thing, and if we do not begin to make smart choices now (such as stopping the destruction of our ozone layer, as we only have one) then the results could eventually be catastrophic.”
The second group, those that have serious doubts about the issue of global warming as presented by various climate scientists, is represented here by Jarrod Murdock. “I think the idea of global warming that we hear about today is fake and that the weather patterns and their effects are very much exaggerated.”
Both of these opinions are often skewered as forms of extremism: the former is assailed by accusations that they are liars who base their arguments on inflated statistics and fear tactics, while the latter is often assumed to be anti-science.
Jen rejects that label by assuming a frankness about those fear tactics.“ Global warming is just our cutsie name for climate cycles. However, I do think the phrase has been used for so many things it has become somewhat ridiculous and unbelieveable.” In addition, she criticizes Hollywood for capitalizing on a very real issue by sensationalizing it. “Do I believe the climate change will happen in the sequence of a few days (i.e. The Day After Tomorrow)? No.”
Jarrod also cites evidence for his belief. “I have a National Geographic article from the 1970s that explains the fear back then that the earth was cooling, that the crops would die, and that large numbers of people would die. The temperature of the earth fluctuates back and forth. Yes, through that cycle, the earth’s temperature has increased very slightly, but it is largely exaggerated, and, unfortunately, it is often a means of pressuring negative political and cultural results. I think people should be cautious before adhering to something that would in normal circumstances be unanimously agreed on by scientists.” This realistic attitude is hardly faith-based extremism.
Finally, there is a third group that comprises a healthy amount of the population, both within and outside of North Augusta High School. This is the group that foregoes categorically stating their opinion and taking action due to lack of sufficient knowledge on the subject. Maura Jackson admits, “I have no knowledge about that whatsoever! I should really keep up more.”
Regardless of one’s personal position on the subject, the universal truth is that either alternative (a falsity that is draining financial resources or a very frightening reality that could seriously interfere with our lives) should force citizens into extensive research and informed decision. Real or fake—the responsibility is ours.
