Dear editor:
Many recent letters have been about climate change. Some sensibly accept its occurring, others reject findings and foolishly deny that climate change is taking place. Humans only are capable of grasping what the future might hold. If "polar bears" enjoyed our analytical ability, they would see a menacing future watching the melting ice destroy their habitat.
Environmental scientists tell us what the future presents if we fail to tackle the problem. We are told that if reforms are not made, our planet will face a catastrophic makeover resulting in rising ocean levels and volatile weather configurations with the escalation of powerful destructive storms. Our smartest engineers and creators have invented technologies with minor consideration for the effects that new technology brings about on the planet. Who gave a thought that the gasoline engine or the coal burning electric generating plant could one day destroy us? Our generation is responsible and it's our job to fix it.
It's tough, because the battle for a clean environment is a fight against a wall of money and greed. The protection of the environment became more complicated in 2007 when climate change denial joined hands with evangelical Christianity. That year, evangelical leaders tried to oust Richard Cizik as chief lobbyist for the National Association of Evangelicals for his efforts in getting evangelicals to join environmentalists in their effort to stop global warming. Also that year, the late Rev. Jerry Falwell termed global warming "Satan's attempt to redirect the church's primary focus away from evangelism and towards environmentalism, a movement peopled by 'first-class nuts.'"
We need to have understanding and the will to stop the destructive behaviors and activities we know are affecting the climate while augmenting positive measures to moderate the damage already made. If unable to reverse the direction, we have committed intergenerational crime. We demand tactics and strategies to assure we will not destroy the planet. All who deny ought to accept reality? Individuals with closed minds about global warming are the same folks who deny evolution. They are uninformed about the mystery of energy, force, consciousness, life going on in our evolving planet and universe.
Human beings are the highest form of intellect and as intelligent beings, we are in a guardianship role over the environment. It's important that we think about climate change and do whatever it takes to oppose the damaging, destructive and bad influences before we go beyond the point of no return.
George Lindholm
Hot Springs
Editorial on 07/30/2014