The global warming debate is one for the broader community--the scientific establishment having settled the issue long ago.  Global warming is real and happening now.  Furthermore, it has happened in the past, and it's beyond question that our planet's climate changes over time. 

The real question is twofold.  First, who or what is responsible?  And second, what are we to do? 

To answer the first, I will say it is impossible to ascribe the cause to any one individual factor (such as human development).  Other natural factors may also be involved, over which we have little control.  However, I feel it's inappropriate to use this fact and ignore that human development MAY have a role in the issue and subsequently study our impact on it.  Furthermore, we should all take steps to reduce our environmental impact as it's simply good common sense to do so.  Just as it makes sense to budget and save from every paycheck, it makes sense to manage our natural resources the same way, since even renewable resources have costs associated with production.  The savings could be applied to better schools, better communities, better bombers, or (gasp!) lower taxes...

Second, it is likely we can do little to reverse the overall warming of the earth's temperatures.  In light of that, I would argue we should research and find ways to adapt to the changes.  Certainly, there will be winners and losers, after all, try telling an Eskimo family that a few more degrees of warmth is a bad thing...

This silliness which I see, is the fact there is a partisan debate on the issue, especially when the scientific community is largely agreed on the basic reality, that global warming is real.  Given that, and the fact it's simply good sense to manage resources wisely, I believe we should all do our part.  For some, it's dimming our lights, voluntarily.  Others participate much less... Still, I propose it's responsible and reasonable to do what one can from recycling to conserving energy, since it is true that we borrow this world from our children, and the greater legacy we leave them, the better off they will be. 

:-)

MP

I'm just curious, but is anyone here going to participate in Earth Hour tonight, 8:30-9:30?

MP