In the world of "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" we like to think we are making a positive impact on the world. Other issues tend to come up as well, ones that a simple mantra may not be the only thing needed to fix the problem. This problem goes beyond that mantra into a global setting.
The words “Climate Change” may bring up a certain feeling of remorse in your brain, or it may bring a sense of annoyance. That’s right, we are talking about the existence of climate change.
It's really cold outside, they are calling it a major freeze, weeks ahead of normal. Man, we could use a big fat dose of global warming!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 19, 2015
For climate change to exist is a weary thought.
Aside from this burden, for it to be true is also more difficult since it's not fully able to be proven. In innocence, there is no proof, except for the absence of evidence. It’s merely circumstantial evidence, to say the least.
This isn’t the first issue to spread around the world. Philosophically thinking, the world's perspective was changed at another time in history. Yet we laugh at the thought people once assumed the world was flat.
Looking to past worldly debates
Even after early philosophers deduced that we did, in fact, inhabit a giant sphere, or planet rather, there was still a scarcity of proof. Just because someone says something, as such, does not mean everyone suddenly believes in it.
This fact, although sometimes infuriating, is essential to humankind. These are survival skills that we are putting into play even in a modern world. Enter journalism with a warning, because it’s purpose is to expose the truth of other’s proclamations, but with that in mind, you must also look into the words of the journalist (especially in opinion articles, so please take what you read with an instinctual grain of salt).
Besides the fact that Earth is indeed round, it is not a perfect example of the proposal of climate change. There is no proof. While we wait for proof or our next big discovery, we are starting to have the kids of the world learn about the effects and potential causes of climate change. Is that okay? To be taught something as a truth, when in fact it’s not yet proven?
In a way, that is the idea of science as a whole. There’s not always definite proof. Despite this, we need to teach the younger members of society to question such “truths” and in turn go off in search of such information. That quest for knowledge is what will bring the next generation into a studious and effective group who can and will conquer these problems.
So, while there is no proof and we just sit in our impending half-truth, what do we do until then? We stick to the facts. The facts will lead us to the greater theories and then eventually to a better global understanding.
A global focus
It’s hard to remember sometimes, but this is a global problem. While other countries may be more prone to accept the theory of climate change, the fight between truth and suggestion tends to be an American issue alone.
We need to ask the hard questions. We’re not all scientists. It may be that in the Discussion between non-believers and these supposed experts that we find an answer. A new question could arise, or the back-and-forth could be beneficial in the rethinking of the problem.
We need discussion. Without it, there is no future for this issue. Our kids are being taught about it regardless, and if they are already taught the side of climate change as a legitimate theory, how can we bring the other side into perspective?
I’m still on the fence about climate change. Honestly, I was one of those kids taught about it as fact. I am a skeptical person by nature and so I reverted back to the first stage of questioning.
In the past presidential election, the environment played a big factor in its relationship with the government.
It is the government’s job to provide, and big lawmakers don’t want to ban the use of resources for our people. Believing in climate change and going forward with precautions can prevent using the resources that we need as a country. With doubt still fresh in the minds of government officials, how can we find a happy medium for all the people on edge regarding this administration as well?
Stick to the facts. America uses an abnormal amount of resources. While we do believe in Manifest Destiny and the American Dream as ways to argue for more industry and economic success, how can we justify using them as fact instead of the theories and proposals that they are?
A temporary conclusion
So it comes full circle. The environment, the world, and this argument, with all things to be determined at a later date. But until then, don’t think that I won’t be giving out advice. We still need to take care of our Earth. We want it clean, and we want it inhabitable, that we can all agree on. So why not take the opportunity to give back to the land that we call home? Reduce the waste and consumption of society, recycle the things you don’t need, but try not to get unessential products in the first place. We have plenty of problems to fix already, why chance having another one?
