2008 Woodie Awards
Global warming goes down the toilet
My View
Mick Swasko
Issue date: 4/26/07 Section: Viewpoint
Its coverage of global warming, however, borders on the trivial. At any chance it gets, the site links AP articles and various reports usually with a headline like "Global Warming Convention Snowed Out!" or "Tucson Experiences Coldest Day in Decade!"
Attention like this highlights the other extreme of the climate of opinions on the issue. To the average person, this type of argument makes the opposite side seem dense. Saying global warming does not exist because a protest occurred in a blizzard is like using the existence of monkeys and apes as evidence against evolution.
I have even overheard an argument insisting that person A's smoking habit is just as harmful as driving gas guzzling cars or unregulated factory emissions.
It seems as though a sensible, clear voice in the issue has been unfortunately shut out in lieu of either one polar opposite or other.
Even Al Gore, who has championed the issue, was recently exposed as to having a $30,000 electric bill in his mansion. Although he claimed the house was being retrofitted with 'green' technology and energy saving devices. However, this revelation still screams hypocrisy.
This is the unfortunate conundrum of being an advocate of the issue of global warming. The more outspoken and extreme you are, the more likely you will be caught up in a web of your own heroic earth saving suggestions.
A politician demands change in emissions from factories, yet drives away in a motorcade of SUVs.
A celebrity urges the use of 'green' technologies, yet works on the set of a movie with hundred ton explosions and energy sucking lights that make their facial features stand out.
Until the issue becomes less of a poorly argued, hypocritical joke, the general public will not be convinced of its validity.
However, not even the most poignant of arguments will ever convince me to adhere to the 'one square' rule. I will just make sure my offspring are really good, heat resistant swimmers.
Attention like this highlights the other extreme of the climate of opinions on the issue. To the average person, this type of argument makes the opposite side seem dense. Saying global warming does not exist because a protest occurred in a blizzard is like using the existence of monkeys and apes as evidence against evolution.
I have even overheard an argument insisting that person A's smoking habit is just as harmful as driving gas guzzling cars or unregulated factory emissions.
It seems as though a sensible, clear voice in the issue has been unfortunately shut out in lieu of either one polar opposite or other.
Even Al Gore, who has championed the issue, was recently exposed as to having a $30,000 electric bill in his mansion. Although he claimed the house was being retrofitted with 'green' technology and energy saving devices. However, this revelation still screams hypocrisy.
This is the unfortunate conundrum of being an advocate of the issue of global warming. The more outspoken and extreme you are, the more likely you will be caught up in a web of your own heroic earth saving suggestions.
A politician demands change in emissions from factories, yet drives away in a motorcade of SUVs.
A celebrity urges the use of 'green' technologies, yet works on the set of a movie with hundred ton explosions and energy sucking lights that make their facial features stand out.
Until the issue becomes less of a poorly argued, hypocritical joke, the general public will not be convinced of its validity.
However, not even the most poignant of arguments will ever convince me to adhere to the 'one square' rule. I will just make sure my offspring are really good, heat resistant swimmers.
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