As my regular readers are probably aware, I am a global warming skeptic (I know, crazy, right?). However, this does not mean I am dispassionate about environmental issues. I care a lot about the environment, and I think I do my part.

I don’t drive (a combination on not being able to afford a car and a lack of need), I turn off lights compulsively, and I shop at Trader Joe’s with my reusable shopping bag. My parents’ house is now at or near 100% fluorescent light bulbs.

Now, I don’t mention that because I want you all to congratulate me. I do it because I think it is the right thing to do, not because I want praise or the chance to win a $20 gift certificate every week at Trader Joe’s for using my bag (though if I win one, that would be awesome). My point here is that being green is a good thing. Absolutely, no question in my mind, a good thing.

Why do I think that but don’t think that humans are going to make the Statue of Liberty need a swimsuit in the next century? Simple, we only get one Earth, and we are obviously doing some not-so-nice things to it. The extent of the effects of those bad things is certainly disputable, but we should clean up our act. Human beings need to act as stewards for the environment, taking care of Creation.

We have to clean up our act in the right way. Preaching the Gospel of Carbon Offsets while flying around the world in a private jet doesn’t cut it. I have yet to hear anyone explain carbon offsets in a way that sounds neither like a pyramid scheme or latter day indulgences. It would be great for everyone to try to live a little greener and get smart about our energy consumption. But how to accomplish these goals?

The answer is to campaign hard to convince people to live greener. Simple as that. Changing public opinion with the right message (not contradictory ones that allow the rich to harm the environment while remaining pious or ocean-swallowing scare tactics) is the key to this movement. Getting the government to force people into being greener will not work. First, since when did the government become good at doing anything? Second, any legislation or program would probably fail anyway because it would have too many loopholes for lobbyist-happy corporations and a good chunk of the population is fine with cheating the government by cutting corners provided there isn’t an obvious human cost.

Conservatives need to become more environmentally aware and active, because this isn’t just an issue for the left, it’s for everybody. And smart environmental policies will only come about if both sides are talking.

Labels: Climate Change, Conservaism, Energy

Posted by Ryan S. on Monday, July 16, 2007 at 8:30 AM | Permalink |