There are two categories of earth caring people: evolutionists and revolutionists. Friends and relatives may lean closely to one side or the other. Which are you? A hybrid?
Evolutionists believe that, in the end, nature works. The earth is dynamic and constantly changing. Sometimes it rains, then it doesn’t. Sometimes it’s hot, then cold. Everything is born and dies. Species appear and disappear. Humans are a normal part of nature. Life may not always be what you think it should be, but just wait. You’ll see. There is no need to worry. Earth activism is radical, a waste of time and money. Life is good. Enjoy.
Revolutionists believe the earth is challenged, look for causes, and solutions. We must protect what’s good. Revolutionists organize, network, plan, raise funds, find volunteers, become volunteers, publish articles, make YouTube videos, sponsor research, donate to environmental causes, propose rules and legislation. Revolutionists are early adopters of new technologies that reduce human environmental impact. They ride bikes, install solar, drive electric cars, install heat pumps, and buy organic. They donate and shop at thrift stores. They believe that stewardship has a price, and everyone who benefits should be willing to pay. Life is good. Care for it.
Evolutionist: It’s important to maintain today’s lifestyle for ourselves, our families, and our local environment. There is little reason to monitor scientific research because science seems unsettled. Since science can’t be relied upon, taking actions, or making changes based on unsettled science could be a mistake, do more harm than good, and probably impact the good life that generations have worked so hard to create.
Revolutionist: When looking toward the future, it seems that earth’s life support system is being threatened by human actions. We must be concerned about others and the environment on a national or even global scale. Science provides the best information available, so we must depend on the latest scientific studies and consensus for checking environmental conditions and trends. Responsible lifestyles must be based on science. Ignoring science is reckless.
Evolutionist: One person can’t do much about fixing global problems. Population is not a problem because there is a lot of undeveloped land available. We are much more efficient now than we were, so the impact of population will just get better over time.
Revolutionist: Individuals working together can have a big effect. Our “continuous growth” fossil-fueled economy raises living standards but generates a large environmental footprint. There are already so many people needing so many resources that, according to science, the earth has reached its limits. Increasing the fossil-fueled American lifestyle for an increasing population negates the benefit of greater efficiency.
Evolutionist: It makes no sense to damage the economy and our lifestyle to save some obscure plant or an endangered bug or minnow. Over history, millions of species have gone extinct. Species extinction is a normal part of evolution. New species will evolve. Humans are clever and adaptable. We’ll invent some technological fix.
Revolutionist: Species typically last for at least a few million years. Without human impacts, biodiversity would continue to grow at an exponential rate, but science reports that we are currently in a sixth mass extinction event. Species are going extinct–perhaps 100 to 1,000 times the normal background rate of extinction. The decline has gathered pace in recent years. Clearly, humans dominate the earth and accelerate extinction. Human impact is so significant that the geological age we are living in is now called the “Anthropocene.” Life must adapt to radical, uncharted, environmental changes, and do it faster than we can evolve to it. All life risks becoming proverbial “fish out of water,” organisms in an environment that we did not evolve for.
Evolutionist: Renewables are expensive and unreliable. It will be a long time until renewables are practical. Some people want to install renewables on prime farmland, changing land use and the landscape. Renewables are ugly. That’s why homeowner’s associations often prevent homeowners from installing solar. Solar and wind should be kept out of sight and on wasteland. Renewables for the home are too expensive. That’s why so few install solar.
Revolutionist: We can’t switch to renewables if we don’t install them. We use a lot of energy so renewables must be a priority. Surplus farm crops can lower the value of farm acreage. Farmland might be more valuable with renewables. Landowners can make significant reliable income from land leased for renewables, harvesting sunshine directly, organically, without the expense and impact of irrigation, pesticides, fertilizers, or herbicides. Renewables give farmland a well-deserved rest. Watching clean, inexpensive, sustainable energy flow from the wind and sun directly into the grid is a beautiful thing. Tax incentives help people install solar.
Evolutionist: When government gets involved, you can bet taxes and government spending will skyrocket to pay for “clean energy” subsidies. If renewables were so good, there would be no need for subsidies. The free market would eventually make renewables inexpensive and abundant. If the government ever imposes a carbon tax, you can bet the economy and every person in it will suffer.
Revolutionist: The only way out of the climate issue is by stopping fossil fuel use. The only solution is renewables. Capitalism protects capital. It is the motive to make a profit. Oil subsidies keep the price of oil down to keep people buying gasoline. If gasoline goes above $5 a gallon, car buyers are suddenly concerned about efficiency and electric cars. When gas is $3 per gallon, buyers are more concerned about how a car looks. Renewable energy is now cheaper than coal or oil. Electric cars are much cheaper to drive than gas. Tax credits for renewables and efficiency are a wise investment.
Conclusion: We earthlings are products of billions of years of adapting to the earth’s environment at the speed of evolution. If we didn’t adapt, we would be extinct. Individuals adapt according to their personality, lifestyle, finances, and environment. The result must inevitably be an effective compromise that enables a stable future for the next generation.
It seems we haven’t been “fighting” climate change, we’ve been denying it or hiding from it with air conditioning (using extra electricity), flood insurance, fire insurance, consuming products, avoiding or ignoring scientific details, and pretending we can still burn fossil fuels in cars, airplanes, and furnaces. Installing heat pumps and buying electric cars seems too different, too radical, even though their use saves money and cleans the air.’
After revolutionists work tirelessly to address problems, evolutionists see that problems were avoided and say, “See, we were right. The predicted disasters didn’t happen. It’s much better than the revolutionists predicted!”
There is no place on earth to hide from the earth’s new climate. Since we are all in it, we all must live with it. Adapt as you must. Prevent what you can. It’s the only world we’ve got.
Evolutionists say, “Don’t worry, be happy.” Revolutionists say, “Don’t get depressed… get busy!”
Steve Waller’s family lives in a wind- and solar-powered home. He has been involved with conservation and energy issues since the 1970s and frequently teaches about energy. Steve can be reached at NonfictionSteve@gmail.com.
Excerpt from the Fall 2023 issue of Health & Happiness U.P. Magazine, copyright 2023, Empowering Lightworks, LLC. All rights reserved.
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