Global Warming is Our Problem, Not of the Earth.

‘Chemistry and Physics don’t negotiate, but they do balance their own books. […] Nature doesn’t care about our human wishes. Physics and chemistry do not give second chances.’

-          Margaret Atwood

 

And somehow, I think about how different human wishes, human nature, hopes, and desires are compared to the laws of nature.

If ice can absorb heat from its surroundings, it melts into its own water. The state changes, but the chemistry remains the same.  We can not wish for it to become something else or hope that heating ice would not lead to its melting. We can not say, okay, this time, I forgive you; do not do it again.

The issue with global warming is not that it is a problem for the earth; it will find a way to balance itself out.  The average temperature of the planet is currently around 15.5 degrees Celsius. For most of Earth’s history, it was about 10 degrees warmer than the present. Technically, in the context of the latest warm earth period, 150 million years to about 4 million years ago, we are amid an ice age, specifically the Icehouse Quaternary.

Over the 4.6 billion years, Earth has adopted itself physically and chemically, continues rotating on its axis, and revolves around the Sun, balancing its needs and following all the laws of nature necessary to remain the rocky third planet from the Sun. Even with the formation of the moon or the hitting of the asteroid that wiped out dinosaurs, Earth adopted and continues to be what it is.

Global warming is a human problem, as it will asymmetrically affect the way we inhabit the earth in the future. Its impact on human living conditions is relatively long-dated, and the effect is not the same for everyone. It is neither equal nor fair.

I am still determining whether our environmentalism policies and mantras will likely work as effectively or how they should work. Still, I know those who can least afford to do so must bear the cost of following or adhering to the promoted policies.

Economics and human energetics are the elements that need to be fully considered when talking about saving the environment – poor villagers in parts of the world spend more time collecting wood to cook food and spend half their energy just trying to live, let alone earn to live if they are relieved of such chores, they would be able to participate and contribute better towards the environment – not when they are destitute and primary concern is survival. There is enough data to suggest that environmental concerns become relevant as the per capita income crosses the threshold of USD 5,000. 

There are no second chances for us.  We can not ask for forgiveness and redo or restart from scratch. It is not possible to unscramble or unfry an egg.  Religious edicts, compassion, sympathy and all the elements inculcating forgiveness do not work in nature as the behaviour is not dictated by will or desire.  It is the laws of nature, the physics and chemistry of the Earth that is at play.

There is a need to think about these things fresh. Let’s not let the politics of environmentalism get in the way of addressing the issue. Politics of power may create hope, wishes, and policies that may suit their supporters or constituents, but as we all know, the physics and chemistry of Earth will work as it will regardless of desires and will balance itself efficiently and effectively.


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