As I have said before I live in a part of the country that is very right wing and very religious. I also grew up in and I'm still apart of a right wing Christian family. I'm not saying anything is wrong with being these things. Some of the people I love the most in this world are Republicans (heck I'm still registered as a Republican) and most people in my life are Christians (I'm a Quaker).
But the point is around here a lot of people don't believe climate change is real. While I believe climate change is very real, I have a hard time seeing why it matters.
Sure climate change makes me a bit more worried about our future. BUT so many issues at hand can not be debated so why not focus on those? Pollution is very real, I have never heard someone debate that (I'm sure someone has though). We have a cement plant that pollutes our town. We have higher cancer and asthma rates than most small towns. My family for one has a lot of asthma, most of us have it.
We are wasting time debating why to clean the planet. I don't think people who believe climate change isn't real want a dirty planet. So why aren't we all doing our part?
I have heard from some Christians that they aren't because Jesus will come back and the planet will be destroyed anyway. If you believe that, that is fine and good but do you really want family and friends to have health problems while waiting? Want to live in a dump? And I would think you would want to welcome back Jesus with a clean home not a dirty dump of a planet.
The most common thing I hear from people is that they just don't want to. They don't want to spend anytime or money and they don't want to do anything that would put them out in anyway. I'm sorry but isn't that a bit selfish?
Sure we can't all put solar panels on our roof, mine doesn't have any but can't we all turn off a light when we aren't using it? If we would think past ourselves it would sure help.
When I turn on a light I think of the coal power it is using, which is polluting someones town where the plant is, the coal is killing people in Appalachia, and all the other pollution and pain that comes with coal power. I know not every ones mind works like mine, I'm thankful for that (can you say anxiety!). But can't we all think of others, at the very least those we love?
When you buy a fair trade product you are helping someone have a better life. When you buy local you are helping a farmer. When you buy a natural product you are keeping harmful chemicals out of your body. When you turn off a light you are saving you money and polluting the planet we all share a little less.
So debate climate change all you want, that's fine but stop wasting time and letting our planet turn in to a giant dump.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
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11 comments:
I stick with the belief that we should take care of the planet because it's the RIGHT thing to do, not because it saves the planet and regardless of whether climate change is real or not. When did wastefulness become a virtue? We waste just because we can? I'm not a Christian, but I grew up that way and don't remember teachings on being wasteful and irresponsible. However, I do believe there was something about being stewards...
I think that the proof of a faith-based environmentalist attitude is right there in Genesis where God charges people with the upkeep of his creation. It's unchristian to do otherwise!
Hear Hear! I'm not sure I can think of one thing that is good for fighting climate change that isn't "green" or one thing that is "green" that isn't good for fighting climate change. On top of that, a goodly number of "green" activities and "fighting climate change" activities (reducing energy consumption, reducing petroleum product use, reducing fossil fuel use and emissions) costs us as individuals *less* money and reduce the US dependence on foreign oil - those should be songs to a right wing conservative's heart.
Granted, some things (buying sustainable, organic, local, and ethical) can cost more immediately - but they are good for us, individually (physically and spiritually) and globally (climate-wise and social conscious-wise).
Perhaps just need to change the focus of the argument to what the audience likes to hear and we can still get the same message across.
Cheers to you! I don't understand an arguement of who cares, the planet will be destroyed anyway..that maybe the most self righteous opinion ever. We not only make things worse for us and our grandkids, but we make the planet completely impossible for animals to live in. We are killing off species of animals because we are so selfish and careless with this planet. Sad.
So get your green on! :)
Being mindful of how our actions affect others helps us become better people. That ought to be reason enough.
Excellent post!! ITA!! It makes me so sad when I hear the "who cares" argument. How can we not care about one another? Whether that person lives in another country or not!
Awhile ago during an Earth hour celebration I read an article in our local newspaper: the author shared how he and his family left their doors open and cranked up the heat in the house and turned on every light.
Makes my stomach churn that he did that AND encouraged his children to follow suit...*sigh*
What exactly is that going to accomplish, I wonder?
Blessings! and thankyou for a wonderful post!
Lisa, this is an awesome post. Thank you for writing it. I hope you don't get too much crap for it.
:-)
Beth
Heather: So true and yes Christians are called to be the stewards of the earth.
Green Girl: It is. :)
Midwestgreen: That's what I try and tell people.
Kristamom: It is sad!
Mom: You would think.
A Mama: Thanks and it makes me sad as well. I hear a few people that did that kind of thing.
Beth: Thanks and at this point I don't know if I care if I get a lot of crap lol.
This is one of the most true and down to earth (haha get it?!) posts i have ever read on climate change . everywhere in the political spectrum people are arguing over the validity of climate change but it DOESNT MATTER. taking care of the earth should be something we want to do whether or not scientists tell us we are going to melt to death. to do otherwise is selfish, careless, and even a sin. it does not take into consideration future generations.
Preston: Thank you for your kind comments and glad you agree! We seem to always want to make everything political and miss the big picture.
People will debate endlessly as a way to avoid taking responsibility or action. You're right - time to move on and just stop climate change already.
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