Tuesday, April 18, 2006

Global Warming

I was out playing golf with a good friend yesterday afternoon. The temperature was hovering close to 100. I like it like that -- but it's only mid-April!

For a long time, I was skeptical of the global warming proponents. And while I do believe there are extremists in every political position, I am beginning to wonder if we humans are affecting our planet's environment adversely. Or, is it just a cyclical adjustment -- and we are simply going through a hot, dry pattern for a few years? Certainly there have been similar ones in the past. My father-in-law has told me many times about how desperately dry it was back in the early to mid 50s.

We have certainly been blessed by some great human inventions: the automobile, for example. On the top of my list would be air conditioning. And I am grateful for them all. However, as stewards of this planet, I do believe God holds us accountable to use good judgment and discernment. Instead of thinking only of our own comfort and ease, we ought to be taking steps to leave future generations a better planet.

Again, I don't know exactly where the truth is in the debate over global warming. I wish we could really trust the "experts." But both extremes have "experts" shouting totally different messages. I do think it would be unwise to simply close our eyes and ears to the warnings.

3 comments:

Amy C said...

I think global warming is probably a political ploy considering one volcano does way more damage than we can do in years, and the ozone heals itself, but I definatly think we have a great responsibility to leave it better than we found it whenever possible. It is not as hard as we make it out to be, and don't waste. Thanks for the great reminder!

Anonymous said...

On the Saturday in August of 1980 that I interviewed in Dallas it was 113F. Seems like the agrument on global warming is a lot like many of the ones we have on theology. Ones "facts" depends ones upon preconceived notions. If I read the OT correctly the best thing we can do for the land is too fill it with righteousness, avoid violence, and worship Him alone.

Jeff said...

When I am sweltering in Decatur, I wonder about global warming. Tonight, as I sit here in Chicago enjoying the 57 degree temperature, I have my doubts.