People (or sometimes “students”) often ask me about what I think the best ways to “save the planet” might be. I respond to their (misguided) inquiries with this shocking (Z0MG!!!!1!) double-whammy of a question:
What makes you think that our planet NEEDS saving? And what makes you think WE could do anything about it if it did?
This often draws disgust, ire, and/or confusion (again, students). Please allow me to briefly elaborate:
a. Our recorded knowledge of global climate extends back only the last hundred or so years, and the methods used in recording data are varied and often inaccurate. (Read State of Fear by Michael Crichton for more info.)
b. Mankind is a natural part of the biosphere, and has been for the entire existence of our species.
c. The idea that we, who are such a small, utterly insignificant, speck on our planet (in terms of total mass, time of total existence, etc.) could through our actions “destroy the earth” is the absolute height of human arrogance, and simply illustrates how little we really understand about our universe.
Take THIS STORY, for example (click).
For all our good intentions, we are still just poking about in the dark with a stick when it comes to “eco-friendliness.” The overwhelming fact that politics and media distortion take a front seat in the debate only slows the march of science and true understanding.
So before you beat yourself black, blue and GREEN, stop and think about what you actually know and don’t know. Do it for the birds.
