Well whether global warming due to human activities on the planet is true or not, or is a small or large issue, no one can deny that we do indeed have an effect on the planet and that our activities affect ecosystems.
So it's not just CO2 that's an issue. It's deforestation, pollution, desertification, overfishing, etc., etc., etc., that are also issues. I agree that we may not understand the big picture, in fact I suspect we don't. However, we do possess pieces of the puzzle. If one can agree on the fact that we (and our future) are intertwined to a degree with that of other species and the environment as a whole, then when we look around and see numerous species go extinct or are on the verge of going extinct, it gives one pause. Considering that we are the only species to even conceive of transforming our environment on a large scale, and we can notice in isolated cases, the effects or our activities, it's logical to conclude that we may be having an effect at the macro level as well. The fact that temperatures in one part of the earth are colder than normal in one year is far from proof that global warming is not occurring, as I'm sure you must know. In fact that's part of the predictions, that climate will change in ways that are difficult to predict. Global warming is not at issue... it's the cause. Should scientists have concluded in the 1960's and 70's that the die off of raptors was not due to human activity simply because we could not see it, or didn't check into it yet? It may be arrogant and anthropocentric to think we're the sole cause of climate change, but it's also arrogant, irresponsible, and foolish to think we're not part of it and to turn a blind eye to it. Two things are for sure: 1. Humans have a bigger effect on the planet and our environment by our deliberate actions than any other species. (Not counting cow and termite flatulence and such) 2. Humans are the only species with any possible power to modify our behavior to protect the environment as opposed to harm it. Tom C. Tom C. >From: Bob Shell <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Reply-To: Pentax-Discuss Mail List <[email protected]> >To: Pentax-Discuss Mail List <[email protected]> >Subject: Re: Doomsday is coming upon us? >Date: Fri, 29 Dec 2006 17:04:47 -0500 > > >On Dec 29, 2006, at 10:29 AM, William Robb wrote: > > > The idea that we have the right to drive species to extinction is > > criminal. > >I agree. It would be criminal if we were doing it. I don't for a >moment believe that humanity has anything to do with breakup of pack >ice in the arctic. There have been times since the last ice age when >the arctic was much colder than it is now, and times when it was much >warmer. I think it is very arrogant and anthropocentric for us to >believe that we're causing any of the climate changes we observe, and >even more arrogant to think we can stop or reverse the changes. > >BTW, according to NASA, air temps over antarctica last winter were >nine degrees colder than usual. This even took some proponents of >global warming at NASA aback and has them rethinking their positions >on this. Global warming???? Whazzat? Just a late 20th Century >myth..... > >Bob > -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List [email protected] http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
