Though I've long considered myself an environmentally responsible person, composting all my leaves and grass clippings for the last 25 years and selecting relatively fuel efficient vehicles, I did not become truly worried until this year when I became aware of the science about global warming.
One element in that was reading Jared Diamond's powerful book Collapse : How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed, in which he examines the archeological and historical record of how certain ancient civilizations chose to fail at the very peak of their wealth and power, usually by sacrificing their environment to short-term cultural, political or economic interests.
Another was viewing Al Gore's must-see film "An Inconvenient Truth", in which Gore presents in plain speech and images the information detailed in his 1992 book Earth in the Balance : Ecology and the Human Spirit. I agree with the New Yorker's David Remnick that it might be the most important film of the year. Yet, as I watched the film, I wished it included sidebar information that would provide the supporting sources for the science Gore presents. Gore's assertions are one thing, having source material another.
Provided the opportunity to preview the Discovery Channel's "Global Warming: What You Need to Know" I found that it provides both the dramatic imagery of the ongoing research, the present-day impacts of climate change, and interviews with the actual scientists who have documented the facts. Hosted by Tom Brokaw, the 2-hour program illustrates the overwhelming consensus among the science-based community that the earth's oceans and atmosphere are warming because of human greenhouse gas emissions, will continue to warm, and what the present and future consequences are in this country and around the world.
Like Gore's film and companion book, it does not dwell on the political and business interests that have worked to deny the reality of the climate crisis, but focuses on the solutions that are available using present day technology. Gas-electric hybrid autos, E-85 ethanol, wind and solar power, as well as carbon sequestration programs are among the technologies offered as available solutions.
I recommend that you watch and discuss it with your family, your friends and your elected representatives.
"Global Warming: What You Need to Know" premieres on the Discovery Channel on Sunday evening, July 16 at 9 PM ET/PT.
Posted by dougsimpson at July 13, 2006 07:12 AM