Dear Editor:
Why are we still arguing about the truth of the climate crisis? In terms of what we need to do to keep this planet habitable, it is almost a non-issue.
The weather network put out a video telling us about the algae contaminating and poisoning our shellfish. I am not going to argue whether they are contaminated by the change in temperature and the other factors that the climate crisis brings or whether the problem is man-made.
We have the means to stop or mitigate every problem facing us now: air pollution, water contamination, pesticide laced food that is slowly poisoning our bodies. Our arguments are pointless and take up the time we could devote to working together in stopping the extinction of species, the sickening of our children, the emergence of new diseases, because we are destroying the habitat of the very creatures who keep the planet livable.
Why are we arguing? Why aren’t we getting together to work on changing our habits that make this Earth sick, and yes, even dying!
This situation is like two physicians standing on opposite sides of a patient and arguing endlessly about the origin and cure of her disease while she is actively dying. She dies because both sides will not come to some agreement about what to do because they see their own research and techniques as superior.
If we can’t agree on anything else, couldn’t we agree on the fact that the planet is dying, because the evidence is right before our eyes?
I only hope that we stop. Stop arguing and get to work. Stop consuming as if the Earth can endlessly provide us with everything we want. Stop excusing away our use of fossil fuels. Stop thinking we need driveways full of cars. Stop fighting over an issue while the Earth is still being is mined, burned, slashed and poisoned.
We can work together just by agreeing that we have created a very sick planet and we need to work together to solve the problem. Look at how we did that during the Second World War. Our grandparents farmed differently, they accepted rationing, they wore clothing until is was not longer wearable. They made sacrifices and did what was necessary. We can do it. We can change, whether or not we agree on climate change. All the answers are out there.
They are not perfect yet, but the patient is dying. Let’s stop the debate and work together about the things we can agree on. All the rest is academic and seems to achieve nothing. We are smarter than that.
Gerry Walsh,
Erin