Editor:

       In recent weeks readers of the Post have encountered letters regarding global warming and the opinions of their respective writers. The general public may agree that we could debate the issue ad nauseam, to which neither side would concede.  I would like to present an alternative view. 

     Much of the malcontent, regarding global warming, derives from the notion that we are being “duped” by leftist environmental types and industry insiders whose pockets fatten in conflicts of interest, while the public and scientific communities examine and invest in research on how humans affect the earths climate.  For the sake of this letter, let’s say global warming is a farce.     

   Believers of the “global warming myth” would have the citizens of the world recycle, conserve natural resources such as water, trees, soil, etc. and use less of or become completely independent from foreign oil.  Recycling reduces energy costs for manufacturers, to which proponents of the free market agree, will maximize profits. It reduces pollution in air, water, soil and the plants and animals upon which we rely. This in turn, saves we the taxpayers, from footing the bill for environmental hazard cleanup costs (remember ASARCO?)  Using less of our limited source of water and trees ensures that your communities’ children will not go to war for them, as we have for oil.  Using renewable energy again reduces air, water and soil pollution (not just CO2). Renewable energy reduces our energy costs, protecting us from financial crises. It provides a domestic marketplace for jobs which this country so desperately needs and reduces our dependence on natural resources from a generally “unstable” region of the world.  This in turn will impact the safety of all citizens of earth, on potentially a monumental scale.

       While this is an oversimplification of the issue, I want to shed light on the idea that even without the notion of man-made climate change, the way in which most of us live is not sustainable.  To have no conscience in destroying something is to believe that it is yours to destroy. When a person dies, the earth does not die with them.  It remains here, still for others to inhabit and enjoy.  The very notion that each citizen is entitled to ownership of this planet, as an excuse to behave recklessly, is one of belligerent ignorance that can only lead us to conflict. Surely, each soul that walks the earth, knows someone they hope can enjoy the shade of a tree in summer, purity of the air we breathe and peace in a world where people don’t kill one another for energy. Do you believe the idea that humans cause global warming? Perhaps not, but there is no shame in evaluating the choices we make, and how we live our lives, so as to avoid the burden of those who will be here to atone for these choices, long after we are gone.

Kirstan Watson

Arundel