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Sometimes it’s just our fault, not sciences’

Sometimes it’s just our fault, not sciences’

By Giles Taylor, Intern (@gilescatherine)

Why is it that so many people are refusing to see the trouble our climate is about to get into? In New Jersey, the governor has frozen funds from the Clean Energy Program, which provides incentives to those who decide to go solar. Groups around the nation are petitioning against solar and wind farms. On a simpler side, people are still refusing to see the benefits of using recyclable material or to even simply recycle.

Daniel Sarewitz, a writer for Slate, an online magazine, wrote an article titled “The Trouble with Climate Science,” where he lays out the ever-increasing dispute over climate change. Sarewitz points out that politicians are turning to science to answer all of society’s climate questions when in reality, our climate issues may have nothing to do with science, and more to do with us.

Every year, I notice a small decrease in the spring and fall seasons. I feel as if it goes straight from winter to summer and summer to winter without much in between. Although this may just be nature’s course, it could also be a result of earth’s inhabitants treating it with such disregard. Pollution and other toxic waste caused by society could be the reason why we are seeing such drastic climate change.

Maybe it’s time for everyone to slow down a take a look at what they are doing to the planet — is it helping or hurting? If it is hurting, maybe you could start to think of ways to change your habits. Every little bit helps.

1 Comment
  • Suzanne McGee

    March 26, 2010 at 7:16 am Reply

    Ah, Giles, you’ve hit upon quite a topic! From the standpoint of our profession, the key is the messaging. Both sides of the debate are really good at using language to convince people of their cause. Just look at the term “global warming.” This leads people to think about temperatures and assume that everyone will have to endure heat waves. The recent winter weather and snow storms in the south caused detractors to decry global warming as they point to the cold temps – in opposition to the term “warming.” As you read more about this topic, take a closer look at how language is used to describe or persuade.

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