Introduction

Climate change is an “inconvenient truth!” ….. The percentage of Americans who believe in climate change has been steadily decreasing.  There is also a concern that the political paralysis in Washington will stymie meaningful climate change legislation.

Against this background, Al Gore wrote an incisive op-ed article in the New York Times entitled “We Can’t Wish Away Climate Change.”  Highlights from the article are below, followed by discussion questions. …. You are strongly encouraged to read more of Al Gore’s op-ed by clicking on the above article title.

“It would be an enormous relief if the recent attacks on the science of global warming actually indicated that we do not face an unimaginable calamity ….”

“[W]hat a burden would be lifted! We would no longer have to worry that our grandchildren would one day look back on us as a criminal generation that had selfishly and blithely ignored clear warnings that their fate was in our hands.”

“I, for one, genuinely wish that the climate crisis were an illusion. But unfortunately, the reality of the danger we are courting has not been changed by the discovery of at least two mistakes in the thousands of pages of careful scientific work over the last 22 years by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.”

“The heavy snowfalls this month have been used as fodder for ridicule by those who argue that global warming is a myth, yet scientists have long pointed out that warmer global temperatures have been increasing the rate of evaporation from the oceans, putting significantly more moisture into the atmosphere — thus causing heavier downfalls of both rain and snow in particular regions, including the Northeastern United States.”

What Is Happening And What Will Happen

“Almost all of the ice-covered regions of the Earth are melting — and seas are rising.  Hurricanes are predicted to grow stronger and more destructive, though their number is expected to decrease. Droughts are getting longer and deeper in many mid-continent regions, even as the severity of flooding increases. The seasonal predictability of rainfall and temperatures is being disrupted, posing serious threats to agriculture. The rate of species extinction is accelerating to dangerous levels.”

The World Relies On US Leadership

“Because the world still relies on leadership from the United States, the failure by the Senate to pass legislation intended to cap American emissions before the Copenhagen meeting guaranteed that the outcome would fall far short of even the minimum needed to build momentum toward a meaningful solution.”

Political Paralysis In Washington Has Prevented Action

“The political paralysis that is now so painfully evident in Washington has thus far prevented action by the Senate — not only on climate and energy legislation, but also on health care reform, financial regulatory reform and a host of other pressing issues.”

International Coordinated Action Stymied By Global Economic Issues

“It’s important to point out that the United States is not alone in its inaction. Global political paralysis has thus far stymied work not only on climate, but on trade and other pressing issues that require coordinated international action….”

“The reasons for this are primarily economic. The globalization of the economy, coupled with the outsourcing of jobs from industrial countries, has simultaneously heightened fears of further job losses in the industrial world and encouraged rising expectations in emerging economies. The result? Heightened opposition, in both the industrial and developing worlds, to any constraints on the use of carbon-based fuels, which remain our principal source of energy.”

The “Inconvenient Truth” Must Be Faced For Human Redemption

“From the standpoint of governance, what is at stake is our ability to use the rule of law as an instrument of human redemption. After all has been said and so little done, the truth about the climate crisis — inconvenient as ever — must still be faced.”

***** Questions For Thought, Comment, And Small Group Discussion *****

(1)  Do you agree with Al Gore’s opinions – why or why not?

(2)  What do you find most persuasive and least persuasive in Al Gore’s arguments – and why?

(3) Do you think “our grandchildren would one day look back on us as a criminal generation” – why or why not?  Do you care – why or why not?

(4) Did the heavy snowfalls this winter dissuade you that global warming is “real” – why or why not?  Was Al Gore’s explanation persuasive on why heavy snowfalls are consistent with global warming – why or why not?

(5) Do you believe the dire predictions of the arctic ice caps melting, hurricanes, floods, droughts, etc. – why or why not?  What evidence of these predictions would be convincing to you?

(6) Do you think the political paralysis now engulfing Washington will prevent meaningful climate change legislation from being passed – why or why not?  What do you think should be done to spur the Senate on?

(7)  Why does the world rely on US leadership?  Is this fair – why or why not?

(8)  How can economic concerns regarding the effect of climate legislation be overcome?

(9) Do you think in tough economic times people want to simply ignore climate change warnings and the necessity to change behavior – why or why not?  What do you think can be done to overcome this situation?

(10) Do you agree that “what is at stake is our ability to use the rule of law as an instrument of human redemption” – why or why not?  

***** References To Relevant Articles Posted On MicahsCall *****

(a) “Global Warming: A Dialogue With Uncommitted Christians,” (by Peter Wong) presents a Socratic-like dialogue supporting actions to mitigate global warming, weaving facts and Biblical citations into the dialogue.

(b) “LET’S DIALOGUE WITH THE CHRISTIAN RIGHT: A Syllabus Of Strategies, Moral Values, And Biblical Citations” (by Peter Wong) is a book-length syllabus that presents strategies, moral values, Biblical citations, and example Socratic-like dialogues on “hot button” social issues such as abortion, same-sex marriage, stem cell research, global warming, immigration, and universal health insurance.