Biological and weather phenomena spawned by climate change are now observable and undeniable. In fact the accuracy of predictions by multiple scientific models for years is striking. "Greenhouse gases" and "warming" have now passed even the lips of our president.
With respect, Ms. Humphries' letter to the editor, The Times June 9, is representative of those who continue to address this changing environment as a purely theological question. It is not. And it is not a question for politics.
It is mathematics, chemistry and physics. It is the laws of gravity, thermodynamics, Boyle's laws, Archimedes' principles and on and on. The disciplines of science have one legitimate reason to exist: the full illumination of the natural laws and principles and their operation. The good news is that options for action and solutions are inherent in the very reliability and predictability of these demonstrated facts.
Unfortunately, for whatever reasons, it is clear that the agenda of the conservative movement and the Bush administration is to delay and prevent accumulation and circulation of accurate information. This pervasive defunding of established environmental research programs and emasculation of scientific reporting when coupled with extensive misinformation and propaganda campaigns by big business is alarming.
Succumbing to the irrational reactions born of the fearful men of limited grasp that currently hold political and economic power must be resisted. It is not irreligious to understand and rely on scientific fact. We all do it every day. The truth and good solutions are in the science, if we will accept them.
Personally I find there is ample room for both the "metrics" of science and a spiritual life; of joy in the mysteries of creation, order banishing chaos, the interconnectedness of all life, a personal God and so much more.
W. Lorraine Watkins
Dawsonville
Originally published Wednesday, June 13, 2007
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