We also need to make peace with the reality that the earth's climate is going to change with or without us. We are accelerating the change but from a geological perspective, it is perfectly normal for the climate to change. Earth has seen extremes like glaciers down to sea level at the equator and palm trees growing as far north as Wyoming (so recently that it can not be written off to cont. drift). Geologically speaking, the Earth today is colder than it has typically been in the past. I'm not saying we should give up on trying to slow down the part that we are causing, but ultimately, we need to adapt to change, not fool ourselves we control something as vast and intricate as the Earth and its relationship to the Sun, among other factors (tilt, wobble, Milankovitch cycles). It is a common illusion or hope that if we just say the right things, do the right things, all by ourselves we can control outcomes from personal relationships to global warming. Hubris. Reminds me of the story of King Canute and the tide.
Response from a scientist relative of mine:
ReplyDeleteWe also need to make peace with the reality that the earth's climate is going to change with or without us. We are accelerating the change but from a geological perspective, it is perfectly normal for the climate to change. Earth has seen extremes like glaciers down to sea level at the equator and palm trees growing as far north as Wyoming (so recently that it can not be written off to cont. drift). Geologically speaking, the Earth today is colder than it has typically been in the past. I'm not saying we should give up on trying to slow down the part that we are causing, but ultimately, we need to adapt to change, not fool ourselves we control something as vast and intricate as the Earth and its relationship to the Sun, among other factors (tilt, wobble, Milankovitch cycles). It is a common illusion or hope that if we just say the right things, do the right things, all by ourselves we can control outcomes from personal relationships to global warming. Hubris. Reminds me of the story of King Canute and the tide.