This is the final post in this series.
As you may have noticed, I removed the Gulf Oil Spill Tracker from my right side bar. The well has been capped, so in my mind, there's nothing more to see. Besides, I was getting tired of looking at it, to tell you the truth. Now, if only I could make the damage done by British Petroleum's busted well, greed and incompetence go away as easily. Anyway, it does look as though this attempt at capping the well is going to be successful. BP put the cap on yesterday and so far the pressure hasn't caused any eruptions in any other connecting lines. Keep those fingers crossed. Gulf residents, understandably, remain wary.
This post will focus primarily on climate change.
The aforementioned bit of good news on the oil well capping has not deterred that, unfortunately. I wish I could snap my fingers and magically make that go away, as well. But climate change is very real, folks, and it will likely be the death of us all in the near future. That is, if we don't kill each other by different means first.
It doesn't take being a scientist to know something is wrong with the extreme weather we have had in the last few decades. You and I can see it every day.
Here's a brief description of climate change, just in case you've been living in a cave or have had your head stuck permanently up your ass.
Taken from NASA's website:
The Earth's climate has changed throughout history. Just in the last 650,000 years there have been seven cycles of glacial advance and retreat, with the abrupt end of the last ice age about 7,000 years ago marking the beginning of the modern climate era — and of human civilization. Most of these changes are attributed to very small changes in the Earth’s orbit changing the amount of solar energy the Earth receives.
The current warming trend is of particular significance because most of it is very likely human-induced and proceeding at a rate that is unprecedented in the past 1,300 years.
Earth-orbiting satellites and other technological advances have enabled scientists to see the big picture, collecting many different types of information about our planet and its climate on a global scale. Studying these climate data collected over many years reveal the signals of a changing climate.
The heat-trapping nature of carbon dioxide and other gases was demonstrated in the mid-19th century. Their ability to affect the transfer of infrared energy through the atmosphere is the scientific basis of many JPL-designed instruments, such as AIRS. Increased levels of greenhouse gases must cause the Earth to warm in response.
Ice cores drawn from Greenland, Antarctica, and tropical mountain glaciers show that the Earth’s climate responds to changes in solar output, in the Earth’s orbit, and in greenhouse gas levels. They also show that in the past, large changes in climate have happened very quickly, geologically-speaking: in tens of years, not in millions or even thousands.
La Manga del Mar menor, Murcia in Spain... rising sea level, due to climate change
Go here to learn more about the evidence of climate change.
There are those who simply don't want to accept the evidence because it is too much to bear or because it threatens aspects of their lives that they don't want to change. Denial is most people's first response to something they don't want to hear, much like being told of a diagnosis of a terminal illness. Or even something less important, like being told that you look as though you've gained weight. The urge to deny the ugly and frightening truth is something most of us succumb to every day.
Which could explain a lot, concerning how we deal or not deal with the facts of life in our "head in the sand" society.
Another group of deniers fall into the category of those who are paid to deny that climate change is happening at all. Patrick Michaels and Steve Milloy, whose work for fossil fuel companies has been repeatedly exposed, are great examples of this ploy. Journalists working for newspapers, television or radio have secretly taken money from fossil fuel companies in trade for writing up shit that explains away climate change and/or it is something that is completely natural and has little if nothing to do with the human activity in accelerating the drastic changes in climate we see today. This, of course is bullshit.
Fossil fuel companies like BP, ExxonMobil and others have inserted their messages into every medium by means of news journalists and the denial scientists who do not reveal their sources of funding. Anybody who reads the reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change or who has discerned the bullshit from the truth know what the reality is.
Fossil fuel companies have a huge investment in spreading misinformation on mankind's (their) major involvement in climate change.
It's up to you and the rest of the fuckers on this planet, our only home, to believe and give a shit about the truth of the matter. I'm providing some interesting links down below on climate change and it's very real effect on the human race. The world will likely survive. But we won't. Have a nice day.
I hate to say it but I think were all fucked, let's face it the governments don't do shit, most people are too zombiefied to care or are in denial, and coorporations are greedy fucks who only care about money. It's only going to change when rapid changes happen so fast that we have no choice but to wake up and realize what's going on.
ReplyDeleteThese enviromental posts you've done remind me of the show on the history channel called Aftermath, where they examine what would happen to the world if there were sudden changes such as the population doubling overnight, or if oil suddenly ran out.
Hi Kelly,
ReplyDeleteWell the alarming signs of climate change are all there. There has been unprecedented weather systems and bizarre weather happening over here in Britain, for instance. Flash floods in July. Virtually hurricane force winds in July. This is unusual for the summer time here, yet it has become a more common and worrying event.
Those who would deny, the self-interest groups, will continue to ply us with their bullshit propaganda. And we know the ultimate cost of that.
Some legacy we may leave our children and what may be left of our fragile planet.
WIth respect, Gary.
The Wolf- I agree with ya. It's obvious the corporations don't care how much they pollute the world. The crazy changes in the weather and climate are apparent. This has been the warmest decade on the planet thus far. If those with the big money and power find huge profit in going green and not shitting up the world, they'll do it. But by then, it will likely be too late.
ReplyDeleteI saw that show, Aftermath, on Discovery, too. Good show. Lots of the detailed truth that people would deny. Ah, business, as usual.
Thanks for caring enough to comment.
klahanie- I had no idea you had that kind of weather in Britain, going on in July. Hurricane type winds and flash floods. Eeegads! I believe you, man. In my area, the temps are in the 90's every day, along with flash floods, 3 inch an hour downpours, tornadoes out the yin yang and everything else but the kitchen sink.
ReplyDeleteLoads of fun.
It pisses me off how greedy corporations spread misinformation for profit. Everything these corporations and our own government do is for the manipulation and the leeching off of the public.
Thank you also for caring enough about this subject to comment. You'll notice that my latest post is something for folks to more easily digest... literally. :-)
I wonder if they can handle this. lol.