Global Warming, from a UU Perspective
Wed Mar 05, 2008 2:55 am
-- Recently I was "cornered" by a co-worker who had obviously just dined on a healthy course of political propaganda. He said (in the presence of several other people) something along these lines..."Tell me something, Ron! If you 'global warming' folks are right, then how come we're getting so much snow?" Well, I only partly took the bait: I questioned why he called me "global warming folks," and then told him that the amount of snow really has little to do with the presence or absence of global warming. It only takes about 32 degrees fahrenheit, or 0 celsius to have snow...that the amount of snowfall is far more a matter of how much moisture is available and of how stormy the weather patterns are...than whether the overall temperatures are colder. IMHO, it's far more relevant to know how much ice remains around the poles and how deep it is. And, if that's not enough, some of the larger snowfalls come from so-called "lake-effect" snows, which are most intense when the lakes are relatively warm (not frozen).
-- Now, whenever I can avoid it I resist the discussion of religion or politics at the office. If I had really, really wanted to dive into the deep end of this pool, however, I would have first suggested that his question may not be all that sincere...that what he's talking about it less about climate change than about political choreography. However, if we really want to talk about climate change, then OK: First, let's acknowledge that measurable changes are occurring. What it all really means--and the extent to which human activity has contributed to it--is a legitimate subject for vigorous debate (if the political posturing can be set aside long enough).
-- For my part--as a student of the "scientific way" (extended even to religion)--I believe we should first look at the evidence and honestly assess what is there to see. Again, changes indeed are occurring. I believe we also have an abundance of evidence to suggest that human beings are inextricably tied to our environment....that we cannot possibly escape from having some kind of effect upon the world around us. The clearing of the jungles for pasture-land, the leveling of mountaintops, the redirection of natural floodplains...so much of what we do...has already shown us that our actions have consequences...often harmful ones. That's what the evidence tell us. How, then, can we...should we...respond to these facts?
-- As a UU, I believe--from evidence--that ecosystems are real, and that they exist for a reason. I believe--from evidence--that there is both "cosmos" and "chaos" within a healthy ecosystem...that its "unity" depends upon the richness and interactiveness of its diversity. This eco-diversity, to me, is a central article of faith, and informs my attitudes regarding human relationships as well. It nurtures my belief in "community among unique individuals" and in a faith-tradition which is gathered around that premise.
-- Therefore, all I can say, with any great degree of confidence, is that global changes are occurring, and that we human beings are intimately and inextricably involved in our environment, and have a personal stake in keeping it healthy. I believe the same can be said about human society...that we have a personal stake in growing an appreciation for the sanctity of the human personality with unique individual life-experiences; and of the inherent need for this "chaos" to exist--and for constructive interaction to occur--in order to ensure and maintain the quality of a larger "human ecosystem." You see, to me radically-liberal, freedom-affirming, progressive reform-minded religious faith is not only good science but also good religion.
-- So, to me, the only way to adequately deal with such issues as global climate change (in a sustainable way) is to make mindset changes and disciplined lifestyle changes that honor both our natural eco-diversity and our eco-responsibility. Call it religious or not--I obviously do--to me it's well-grounded, not in the pretense of dogma but in the fertile, life-giving soil of honest and disciplined scientific inquiry...not on a "Rock of Ages," but in a sufficiently solid, usable and soundly-reasoned body of evidence, on a sober working knowledge of the nature of the universe, and of the human beings who occupy at least a small portion of it.
But...that's just me...what about you? What do you think?
Ron
-- Now, whenever I can avoid it I resist the discussion of religion or politics at the office. If I had really, really wanted to dive into the deep end of this pool, however, I would have first suggested that his question may not be all that sincere...that what he's talking about it less about climate change than about political choreography. However, if we really want to talk about climate change, then OK: First, let's acknowledge that measurable changes are occurring. What it all really means--and the extent to which human activity has contributed to it--is a legitimate subject for vigorous debate (if the political posturing can be set aside long enough).
-- For my part--as a student of the "scientific way" (extended even to religion)--I believe we should first look at the evidence and honestly assess what is there to see. Again, changes indeed are occurring. I believe we also have an abundance of evidence to suggest that human beings are inextricably tied to our environment....that we cannot possibly escape from having some kind of effect upon the world around us. The clearing of the jungles for pasture-land, the leveling of mountaintops, the redirection of natural floodplains...so much of what we do...has already shown us that our actions have consequences...often harmful ones. That's what the evidence tell us. How, then, can we...should we...respond to these facts?
-- As a UU, I believe--from evidence--that ecosystems are real, and that they exist for a reason. I believe--from evidence--that there is both "cosmos" and "chaos" within a healthy ecosystem...that its "unity" depends upon the richness and interactiveness of its diversity. This eco-diversity, to me, is a central article of faith, and informs my attitudes regarding human relationships as well. It nurtures my belief in "community among unique individuals" and in a faith-tradition which is gathered around that premise.
-- Therefore, all I can say, with any great degree of confidence, is that global changes are occurring, and that we human beings are intimately and inextricably involved in our environment, and have a personal stake in keeping it healthy. I believe the same can be said about human society...that we have a personal stake in growing an appreciation for the sanctity of the human personality with unique individual life-experiences; and of the inherent need for this "chaos" to exist--and for constructive interaction to occur--in order to ensure and maintain the quality of a larger "human ecosystem." You see, to me radically-liberal, freedom-affirming, progressive reform-minded religious faith is not only good science but also good religion.
-- So, to me, the only way to adequately deal with such issues as global climate change (in a sustainable way) is to make mindset changes and disciplined lifestyle changes that honor both our natural eco-diversity and our eco-responsibility. Call it religious or not--I obviously do--to me it's well-grounded, not in the pretense of dogma but in the fertile, life-giving soil of honest and disciplined scientific inquiry...not on a "Rock of Ages," but in a sufficiently solid, usable and soundly-reasoned body of evidence, on a sober working knowledge of the nature of the universe, and of the human beings who occupy at least a small portion of it.
But...that's just me...what about you? What do you think?
Ron
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