Global Warming Debate Heats Up

By Jill Martin - Feb 12, 2007 - 1

Radical environmental activists are calling for British sweethearts to either purchase their Valentine’s Day bouquets from local growers or grow their own. The flowers used in typical bouquets have flown 33,800 miles to reach Great Britain with a large percentage coming from Africa, according to British government reports. British environmentalists have warned these “flower miles” could cause airplanes to emit more carbon dioxide due to the additional cargo weight.

In the U.S., “climate change,” a less controversial label for the subject, garnered an array of political coverage Feb. 10-11. During an interview on 60 Minutes, Barack Obama listed “the prospects of climate change” as one of the reasons for his 2008 presidential run, while Al Gore sang praises for the music community’s work in environmental causes as he presented a Grammy on Feb. 11.

Recent U.N. reports blame man-made emissions for fewer cold days, hotter nights, killer heat waves and devastating droughts. That’s head-scratching news as many parts of the U.S. are being brutalized by major winter storms.

Although those on both sides of the debate might agree on certain environmental concerns, questions abound when it comes to the specific causes and solutions.

In his book, The Creation, Harvard biologist E.O. Wilson proposes ideas to curb global warming and save the environment.

Wilson says scientists have identified 25 “hotspots” in which nearly half of all the extant plant and animal species have been found. He proposes spending $30 billion to protect these specific ecosystems from human development and foster the growth of the species found there.

Richard Land, president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, said that he would not oppose Wilson’s plans if they could be accomplished without damaging human beings. Millions of people, especially the very poor, would be devastated by some environmental proposals, Land said.

Land explained the distinct difference between his Christian view and Wilson’s secular-humanist perspective of the creation. “We believe that God created the creation for humankind. So while we are to give respect to all life, we must treat human life with reverence. It is human beings that God gave a soul.”

Regarding the task of protecting other species, Land said, “We certainly need to do all we can without causing grievous harm to human beings.”

Hear from 2 opposing perspectives on global warming…

Listen to how global warming policies affect the poor…

Further Learning

Learn more about: Science, Environment

1 comments (post your own) feed

1 On Feb 17th, 2007, at 3:28pm, Peggy Sue Smigh wrote:

I am glad for the spirit with which you deal w/ opposing views on the distinction of human beings from those who would think that we are in the chain of evolution.  Thank yo for dealing graciously with those who oppose and finding common groud on which we can agree and building dialogue and unity.  How very important it is to seek truth and to help others to know there is truth out there and to strive together to find truth in all matters.  This can be outset of bringing others to the ultimate and crucial Truth of Jesus Christ.

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