The fact that Catholics cannot discuss the issue of global warming without having to bring up Al Gore is, to say the least, sad and alarming. I have said before that if we want to sit down and talk about climate change, let’s take Al Gore out of the picture. I think he is opportunistic like any other politician, but that is just my opinion on the matter. Al Gore does not form my opinion on global warming but concrete data instead. I think that if the same Catholics who criticize Al Gore would also bring up the factual issues involved with global warming and about the need for action, I would not worry at all. But to only target Gore without looking at the big picture is simply not intellectually honest.
But let’s say that you can’t get over the fact that Al Gore is at the center of the problem. Well, if you want to blame anyone for everybody loving Al Gore around the world and for getting the Nobel Peace Prize that would have to be our “dear and beloved” President George W. Bush. The world has been waiting for the U.S. to lead the efforts on global warming, especially because the U.S. is the biggest emitter of greenhouse gases. His Administration’s constant obstruction of climate change talks has the world tired of the inaction and lack of leadership on the part of the U.S.
The truth is that Al Gore, or any American with good rhetoric and a good position to get himself or herself noticed in the world scene who would have shown some concern about global warming at the same time, would have received the same warm welcome by the rest of the world. Even China has come to the Bali conference with proposals about climate change and is willing to talk about how to reduce their emissions. Of course, they may be asking for more time and for technological resources to do so, but still, the willingness to sit down and talk is definitely a plus.
The fact that Catholics still deny global warming is also sad and alarming. The central issue should not be about whether global warming is being caused by anthropogenic gases. The issue is still relevant, of course, but of secondary importance. Rather, we need a different starting point: what are we going to do about the combination of these phenomena we are seeing in nature that indicate a general warming trend? Let’s talk about the these problems—proven facts—that are affecting communities all around the world.
What about the fact that the permafrost is melting? Yes, no longer “perma-nent frost.”
What about the fact that the glaciers and snow covers are melting and reducing in area and now many countries will not benefit from the water these glaciers supplied before?
What about all the species that would be completely extinct or affected by a slight change in the earth’s temperature?
What about all the communities that benefit from these species for their daily living?
What about intense and long periods of drought and how many communities can be affected by them?
What are these questions NOT being discussed first in the Catholic blogosphere? Why do we always have to go back to the never-ending right vs. left rhetoric that does not take us anywhere? Since when Christians sell themselves to the political agenda of the moment?
This is the Advent season. The season when we welcome our Lord; when we thank God for the gift of Himself and when we remember that God became man and dwelt among us (Jn 1:14). Why are we not meditating upon the implications of what it means for God to have become man? There are many implications of this mystery of faith, because it is intricately related to the question of stewardship and the care of creation. Why God had to come down to dwell on this earth? Why didn’t he remain in his own transcendental nature? The fact that God became man should make us want to kiss the ground every chance we get, because He not only made the earth for us to enjoy it, but He even entered in it to share it with us. Yes, the Incarnation tells us a whole lot about this earth in which we dwell and that God, in his infinite humility and love came to share with us. The inaction of the current Administration on this issue should be an absolute scandal for Christians in this country, but sadly, it is not.
Previous posts I have written on the issue:
Global Warming not a Partisan Issue (Part 1)
Global Warming not a Partisan Issue (Part 2)
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