In a balanced look at the current debate, a letter writer reminds us all to calm down, don’t get hysterical, think it through.
There's time to plan for warming
Re "Scientists emphatic on global warming," Feb. 2: One day this century, San Francisco will be destroyed by a magnitude 8 earthquake. Buildings will topple, and the Golden Gate Bridge may be torn to pieces. A quake will happen -- no scientific debate, no questions, no uncertainty -- and with zero warning. Tens of thousands will die, and millions of refugees will flood into the Central Valley.
Are humans directly to blame for this situation? Absolutely, by building large cities on the most dangerous real estate in the country. Do we hear emotional calls to change this situation by depopulating the Bay Area? Absolutely not. Most residents know what will happen, and have decided they will accept and adapt.
Yet many in willful denial about this are literally in an apocalyptic hysteria over the possible effects of climate change. This despite the fact that the worst fears --stronger storms, warmer temperatures, higher sea levels and changing weather patterns -- will occur slowly, with plenty of time to plan, prepare and mitigate their effects.
This emotional disconnect perfectly illustrates how political and sociological factors unrelated to facts have driven the global warming issue into full-blown hysteria mode, even among scientists.
- Paul Carpenter, Sacramento
