[Vision2020] Global warming approaching critical point

[Tbertruss at aol.com]

Wayne et. al.

I am sorry if I implied you are one of the people who are ignoring the threat 
of global warming.  I would expect you to be very aware and concerned about 
this issue.  I just meant that the attitude that "I won't be alive long enough 
to face the problem" seems to be the approach many people take, so they don't 
feel a necessity for serious action to remedy human sourced contributions to 
global warming, assuming they even admit it is a problem.

Your discussion of the melting of glaciers is right on the mark.  One of the 
most compelling  data sets that global warming is happening at a rapid rate is 
the melting of glaciers and ice sheets all around the planet.  The legendary 
Snows of Kilimanjaro (I keep thinking Hemingway)  will soon be gone, perhaps 
in our lifetime!

When you say an ordinary citizen (you are not "ordinary" Wayne) cannot do 
much to stop global warming given the economic/political forces involved, I 
expect you do not mean the things that most any citizen can do: drive less, drive a 
fuel efficient vehicle, use mass transit, carpool, live in a smaller home or 
apartment easier to heat and cool, don't build huge energy consuming homes, 
invest in alternative energy for your home (solar, wind, etc.) and so forth.

But I agree that given the social/political/economic realities of the fossil 
fuel economy, global warming will likely be a disaster when major 
international action is finally taken to radically mitigate the human contribution to this 
climate change, at which point the remedies required will be draconian, and 
perhaps not very effective.

In the long run I think the Bush administration's denial of global warming, 
or at least their stubborn refusal to lead the world to help mitigate global 
warming, may be the most damaging and short sighted policy decision Bush will be 
remembered for, even worse than invading Iraq in the manner it was invaded.

Ted Moffett
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