| The fight against global warming is a full-scale war, | | | | warming. But this argument, too, is wearing thin, as |
| with two strong armies poised for battle on either side. | | | | more people realize that environmental pollution cannot |
| There are minor skirmishes and engagements, attacks | | | | possibly be good for the planet - it will definitely have |
| and counter-attacks, strategies and counter-strategies, | | | | harmful effects, most probably in the form of global |
| deceptions, victories and defeats. But above all, there | | | | warming. |
| is the fog of war - a cloud of disinformation that helps | | | | The next defence -indeed a very successful one - is |
| both the armies. | | | | to steal the thunder from the opposition, by using their |
| On one side, there is a growing number of scientists, | | | | terminology. This gives the appearance of action when |
| engineers and climatologists. They are supported by | | | | there is none, or very little. Thus every business uses |
| some media, many celebrities, some politicians, | | | | words like energy efficiency, or sustainability. Any new |
| laypersons and, surprisingly, quite a few civil servants. | | | | product or service that comes out is "green". We have |
| The latest and most powerful recruit is none other | | | | green power, green politics, green communities, and |
| than the new US president, Barrack Obama. | | | | green meetings. |
| Opposing them are the oil producers, automakers, | | | | Yet another tactic is simple diversion- moving the |
| processing industries, and other big businesses that | | | | focus away from the issues that matter to others that |
| want to preserve the status quo for as long as they | | | | have a lesser impact. Most of the environmental |
| can, to maintain their profitability. For simplicity, let us call | | | | damage today is caused by air and water pollution |
| this group the global warmers. They have the money, | | | | from industrial sources, industrial wastes, emissions |
| power and some political influence. But right now, the | | | | from commercial vehicles, burning of fossil fuels, |
| global warmers are on the run, facing a major | | | | depletion of natural resources, and energy |
| onslaught from the environmental groups, and their | | | | consumption in large buildings. But public attention is, |
| tactics are getting increasingly defensive. | | | | instead, directed towards voluntary energy savings, |
| Their first line of defence is to deny the very fact of | | | | mostly at the individual level. We are encouraged to |
| global warming. Generously funded "think tanks" | | | | re-cycle more, use energy efficient light bulbs, use |
| produce reports that question the very accuracy of | | | | renewable energy, and generally reduce our |
| the statistical data that supports the notion of global | | | | environmental footprint. All these things are important |
| warming. However, this position is getting less | | | | but it is doubtful how much impact they will have in the |
| defensible as signs of global warming are now | | | | absence of any real enforcement. Much more needs |
| unmistakable- the break-up of the polar ice caps, the | | | | to be done -- tightening up of regulations, more |
| melting of glaciers and the drying up of lakes and | | | | commuter trains, less buses, and reduced dependence |
| rivers throughout the world. | | | | on fossil fuels. In addition, we need stronger incentive |
| The second line of defence is to deny that human | | | | programs to induce people to make better |
| beings are responsible for global warming. This again is | | | | environmental choices. |
| done in reports that question the science behind the | | | | In the long run, the global warmers cannot prevail, |
| climate change models. They point out that different | | | | because the consequences would be far too |
| computer models produce different results and there is | | | | disastrous. But we need action right now, before |
| no absolute proof that human activity causes global | | | | climate change becomes irreversible. |