If you want a good overview of "the environmental threat" I suggest Bjorn Lomberg's book "The Skeptical Environmentalist". I read it and bought a copy. WARNING - it is as dull as ditchwater.
An alternative view to this, I suspect, would be "Boiling Point" by Ross Gelbspan. Written in 2004, Gelbspan has raised some interesting topics which have in the last two months have been given considerable credence by the 2000 or so scientists which contributed to the UN report on climate change. Gelbspan also lists an interesting bunch of high profile climate change skeptics and their even more interesting financial linkages to Mobil-Exon. He also paints an interesting picture of what has happened to credible witnesses thanks to the great PR machine protecting vested interests.
Whilst Gelbspan is both American & a journalist hence requiring a grain of salt or two ( It is critical of the current US government ) it is an interesting and FULLY REFERENCED read. At worst it is an entertaining tale of intrigue and you will probably get to see Russel Crowe play the part in a year or so ;-)
Regardless of the fine detail on the validity or accuracy of particular theories or models in isolation, the overall view of late from independent published scientists, as opposed to industry funded shills, is that the rate of change in the environment is greater than that which may be expected to occur without the influence of our industrial society.
The concern is that as with all chaotic systems that a small nudge may leave you in a new 'steady state' which is not easily habitable and not able to be recovered from. The common thread of recent research material is that a broad variety of natural systems are being altered in ways in which they themselves may contribute to a substantial shift in the norm producing a runaway effect.
The other finding is just how little we really know about the system dynamics and the extent of the participants. As a parent, and hopefully grandparent one day, I personally agree with the move to act on change to reduce the effects of our footprint on the planet until at least we understand more of what is happening. Given the number of indicators being discovered I would consider that to do anything else would to be both selfish and foolish. To be later judged as overly cautious would be far easier to live with.
One of the best things that can happen at a local level is simply this. People discuss the issue, hopefully they go away and read some more and then continue to discuss the issue. This is in direct contrast to living on a diet of sound grabs on the news or worse 'A current Affair' or similar. At the end of the process they might go have a natter to their MP and let them know that they are concerned too.
Cheers
Don _______________________________________________ Aus-soaring mailing list [email protected] To check or change subscription details, visit: http://lists.internode.on.net/mailman/listinfo/aus-soaring
