2015 is now well on its way to be the hottest year on record, and a year of great extremes, with extraordinary heat in summer and profound cold in winter, and springs and autumns marked by weather of unusual violence. This is exactly what we are seeing this year. And yet climate change denial is, if anything, more strident–and more fallacious–than ever. Right now, Australia is experiencing an unusually cold winter while California is fighting a record number of wildfires, many of them completely out of control. In the far east, monsoonal flooding is causing chaos in many places while the entire west coast of the American continent above the Equator is experiencing a dangerous drought that is likely to be broken by torrential rains and flooding if the El Nino persists into the autumn and winter.

These are all very definite and predicted signs of global warming, and I’m calling it that. I will not discreetly say climate change in order to mollify the deniers. I feel that every single human being on this planet has an obligation to speak out and act in whatever way they can, from reducing their carbon footprint to helping others to do so, to applying political pressure and making their thoughts known. We are beyond the debate, which has been essentially false since it was begun by oil and coal magnates and their publicity departments years ago. People who supported that campaign with fake science, media attention and political activity, as well as those who pay for it and manage it, bear what will turn out to be the single heaviest burden of moral responsibility in the history of this species. The reason is that the delays that they have caused represent a heavy contribution to this problem and have hamstrung our ability to save ourselves. And that is the right phrase. We are now in a situation where, if we don’t act, there are going to be fantastic disruptions on this planet, and many, many, many people will die.

Now that China has faced the danger and is engaging in herculean tasks such as the 10 square mile solar power array being built in the Gobi Desert, the main national centers of climate change denial and politically enforced inaction are India, Australia and the United States.

The American deniers consist of three groups: a small number of extremely wealthy people who see their profits at risk, the larger group of publicists and paladins who support them in the media and in politics, and an underclass of mostly older, uneducated people, mostly in the south, who follow them. These people disdain what they don’t understand, and, having been educated during the fifties and sixties in schools that taught little more than the 3Rs and state history, they are completely unequipped to face a crisis such as the one we are facing.

I don’t think that they can ever be reached, not even when they are dying from the effects of climate change. For example, the warming of the arctic is weakening the jet stream, and also releasing trillions of tons of methane. For different reasons, both of these things are very dangerous.

These people are scared, confused and deeply angry. Most of them rely on government support for their lives–social security and medicare. And yet they would willingly vote for candidates who would destroy those programs. This comes from a long history, especially in the south, of dependence on the very wealthy. These are their leaders. They have a generations long habit of following.

So, what is to be done: first, we absolutely must reduce carbon emission however, whenever and wherever we can. Second, we must create a global warming Manhattan Project, funded by countries around the world, that will seek to learn how to do things such as remove carbon dioxide from our atmosphere.

As I have said for years, we are at the climax of an interglacial, and the planet is going to warm up no matter what. But our activities have transformed what would have been a relatively gradual natural process that could be planned for into one that is increasingly likely to be abrupt, chaotic and extremely dangerous.

The one thing that mitigates against it is that we appear to be entering a period of a "quiet sun," where our star ceases to generate sunspots and emit coronal mass ejections. If it happens, this will help, but it will by no means solve our problem. Our problem is us, our great numbers and our hungers for the best of life. The first is an outcome of natural selection, the second an inevitable side-effect of human intelligence.

And that intelligence is what will save us. A hundred thousand years ago, when the last ice age started, we were naked and dwelling on verdant savannahs and fruitful forests. We emerged ten thousand years ago, still alive but barely, wearing clothes, hunting with efficient weapons, with a knowledge of the season and the movement of the world’s great herds, and eyes that looked up in wonder.

We need to recapture that spirit right now, and find our way through the dangerous labyrinth of global warming, or we are lost. And we can. We certainly can!

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32 Comments

  1. Dane Wigington maintains
    Dane Wigington maintains global powers have been altering the atmosphere to attenuate this natural cycle while reaping profits from rampant energy commodities manipulation.

    Ultimately I believe these global masters desire for a significantly reduced population that is easier to control and manage.

    I for one will move into the future with my attention inward and heart open.

  2. Dane Wigington maintains
    Dane Wigington maintains global powers have been altering the atmosphere to attenuate this natural cycle while reaping profits from rampant energy commodities manipulation.

    Ultimately I believe these global masters desire for a significantly reduced population that is easier to control and manage.

    I for one will move into the future with my attention inward and heart open.

  3. I think it’s entirely
    I think it’s entirely possible that at least some of the extremely wealthy probably would like to see a megadeath on Planet Earth, and this could be a motive for denying the obvious. If this is true, they have apparently forgotten that those who sow the wind reap the whirlwind.

  4. I think it’s entirely
    I think it’s entirely possible that at least some of the extremely wealthy probably would like to see a megadeath on Planet Earth, and this could be a motive for denying the obvious. If this is true, they have apparently forgotten that those who sow the wind reap the whirlwind.

  5. There is a great deal that
    There is a great deal that can still be done to lessen the effects of the human side of the equation. This would give us many more years of planning for the eventual climax of the interglacial.

  6. There is a great deal that
    There is a great deal that can still be done to lessen the effects of the human side of the equation. This would give us many more years of planning for the eventual climax of the interglacial.

  7. “I feel that every single
    “I feel that every single human being on this planet has an obligation to speak out and act in whatever way they can, from reducing their carbon footprint to helping others to do so, to applying political pressure and making their thoughts known. We are beyond the debate, which has been essentially false since it was begun by oil and coal magnates and their publicity departments years ago.”

    YES. Thanks for posting this. I feel like screaming when people post their denier BS. It’s really frustrating here in Texas. The fossil fuel industry will never give up their fight, and the anti-science attitude among the masses makes things worse. Thank you for the hopeful tone in your post. Things are getting worse very quickly.

  8. “I feel that every single
    “I feel that every single human being on this planet has an obligation to speak out and act in whatever way they can, from reducing their carbon footprint to helping others to do so, to applying political pressure and making their thoughts known. We are beyond the debate, which has been essentially false since it was begun by oil and coal magnates and their publicity departments years ago.”

    YES. Thanks for posting this. I feel like screaming when people post their denier BS. It’s really frustrating here in Texas. The fossil fuel industry will never give up their fight, and the anti-science attitude among the masses makes things worse. Thank you for the hopeful tone in your post. Things are getting worse very quickly.

  9. I live in Western Nebraska at
    I live in Western Nebraska at this time. It has been hot, hot, hot … 95 degrees and higher. Then a torrential rainstorm will come and drop truck loads of water. The sky is so dark at noon when it rains it looks like it night time.

    The days are unseasonably longer than usual. The sun is high in the western sky still at 6:00 p.m.

  10. I live in Western Nebraska at
    I live in Western Nebraska at this time. It has been hot, hot, hot … 95 degrees and higher. Then a torrential rainstorm will come and drop truck loads of water. The sky is so dark at noon when it rains it looks like it night time.

    The days are unseasonably longer than usual. The sun is high in the western sky still at 6:00 p.m.

  11. I’m very grateful that this
    I’m very grateful that this journal came out right at this time. Yes, we have to do, we have to just DO. Something. anything. everything.

  12. I’m very grateful that this
    I’m very grateful that this journal came out right at this time. Yes, we have to do, we have to just DO. Something. anything. everything.

  13. Whitley: I believe in climate
    Whitley: I believe in climate change as a natural occurrence, perhaps slightly influenced by human activity. I do not believe it is a tremendous threat, especially compared to tangible dangers such as deforestation, species extinction, ocean pollution.

    Can you comment on cash-grab tactics put forward by outfits like Goldman Sachs to force carbon taxes worldwide, and make literally trillions on transaction fees etc.? Or people like Al Gore peddling this as a career? (Hint: He is heavily involved with GS)

    Global warming and cooling is a natural cycle, looking at the geologic record shows this clearly. My concern is that (no offense intended) global warming alarmism is a tactic used by the totalitarian left to gain control over more societal activities, and causing a draconian police state in the name of carbon credits. On the flipside of course we have the hands-off corporate right wing approach of no stewardship for the environment whatsoever.

    I may not always agree with you, but I’ve been following for years and always respect your lines of thought. I want to be sure that we are not being played from both sides on this issue.

    1. Very well said, denada1. You
      Very well said, denada1. You echo my thoughts almost exactly. It’s a no brainer to me that we need to take care of the environment and do a far better job than we have done. But the hysteria consistently comes from those most able to profit from it either financially or in terms of consolidating greater power.

      Besides, unless some of the technologies for energy production that are wrapped up in the black budget are released, our choices are either continuing to use fossil fuels or a dramatically lower quality of life for the entire western world. For those of us in the middle class, we can survive that decrease in quality of life. For those barely hanging on (and there are millions of them in the United Sates alone), that drop would be devastating.

    2. Denada1: The ‘totalitarian
      Denada1: The ‘totalitarian left’ – really? Where? There is no (real) organized left in the USA, never mind any with total power! Also, if you’ve been really paying attention to how the climate is changing around the world, you’d agree that there is no such thing as global warming alarmism. Why don’t you research what 4 to 6 degree Celsius of warming will do to the natural world.

  14. Whitley: I believe in climate
    Whitley: I believe in climate change as a natural occurrence, perhaps slightly influenced by human activity. I do not believe it is a tremendous threat, especially compared to tangible dangers such as deforestation, species extinction, ocean pollution.

    Can you comment on cash-grab tactics put forward by outfits like Goldman Sachs to force carbon taxes worldwide, and make literally trillions on transaction fees etc.? Or people like Al Gore peddling this as a career? (Hint: He is heavily involved with GS)

    Global warming and cooling is a natural cycle, looking at the geologic record shows this clearly. My concern is that (no offense intended) global warming alarmism is a tactic used by the totalitarian left to gain control over more societal activities, and causing a draconian police state in the name of carbon credits. On the flipside of course we have the hands-off corporate right wing approach of no stewardship for the environment whatsoever.

    I may not always agree with you, but I’ve been following for years and always respect your lines of thought. I want to be sure that we are not being played from both sides on this issue.

    1. Very well said, denada1. You
      Very well said, denada1. You echo my thoughts almost exactly. It’s a no brainer to me that we need to take care of the environment and do a far better job than we have done. But the hysteria consistently comes from those most able to profit from it either financially or in terms of consolidating greater power.

      Besides, unless some of the technologies for energy production that are wrapped up in the black budget are released, our choices are either continuing to use fossil fuels or a dramatically lower quality of life for the entire western world. For those of us in the middle class, we can survive that decrease in quality of life. For those barely hanging on (and there are millions of them in the United Sates alone), that drop would be devastating.

    2. Denada1: The ‘totalitarian
      Denada1: The ‘totalitarian left’ – really? Where? There is no (real) organized left in the USA, never mind any with total power! Also, if you’ve been really paying attention to how the climate is changing around the world, you’d agree that there is no such thing as global warming alarmism. Why don’t you research what 4 to 6 degree Celsius of warming will do to the natural world.

  15. Just a couple of thoughts: I
    Just a couple of thoughts: I do not see any “light at the end of the tunnel” regarding our environment. Maybe someone or something will shine a light at some point but, I cannot see it currently. Our country and others are in decline. Suffering in our country and others is increasing. Control-freaks are everywhere. Graham Hancock’s upcoming new book is partially about an advanced civilization when our ancient ancestors lived among verdant savannahs and fruitful forests. Left, right, center politics; the constant debating about our environment it is all BS! Remember when Neil Young sang the line, “Look at mother nature on the run in the nineteen-seventies” in 1970? The first “Earth Day”? Can you believe “Superstorm” was published 15 yeas ago? Fukushima and nuclear energy worldwide? I think those are enough thoughts for now.

  16. Just a couple of thoughts: I
    Just a couple of thoughts: I do not see any “light at the end of the tunnel” regarding our environment. Maybe someone or something will shine a light at some point but, I cannot see it currently. Our country and others are in decline. Suffering in our country and others is increasing. Control-freaks are everywhere. Graham Hancock’s upcoming new book is partially about an advanced civilization when our ancient ancestors lived among verdant savannahs and fruitful forests. Left, right, center politics; the constant debating about our environment it is all BS! Remember when Neil Young sang the line, “Look at mother nature on the run in the nineteen-seventies” in 1970? The first “Earth Day”? Can you believe “Superstorm” was published 15 yeas ago? Fukushima and nuclear energy worldwide? I think those are enough thoughts for now.

  17. http://www.truthdig.com/earto
    http://www.truthdig.com/eartotheground/item/oceans_would_perish_even_if_atmospheric_carbon_was_reduced_20150806

    Osho, used to write that God is not a businessman… You can’t make a deal with God, doing good deeds will not be rewarded, you can’t rationalize reality and make the world fit in with what you believe to be true, you can’t do much of anything but accept judgment graciously with thanks..

    In this case, we have judged ourselves, and that judgment is coming irrevocably, inexorably, slowly at first but picking up momentum In time…

    Civilization will not survive on this Earth without, the Oceans…..

    Then there is Fukushima…

  18. http://www.truthdig.com/earto
    http://www.truthdig.com/eartotheground/item/oceans_would_perish_even_if_atmospheric_carbon_was_reduced_20150806

    Osho, used to write that God is not a businessman… You can’t make a deal with God, doing good deeds will not be rewarded, you can’t rationalize reality and make the world fit in with what you believe to be true, you can’t do much of anything but accept judgment graciously with thanks..

    In this case, we have judged ourselves, and that judgment is coming irrevocably, inexorably, slowly at first but picking up momentum In time…

    Civilization will not survive on this Earth without, the Oceans…..

    Then there is Fukushima…

  19. I feel that we are past the
    I feel that we are past the tipping point of proving climate change and its causes. It’s here. Those in denial are like the proverbial frog sitting in a pan of water that is slowly heating up to boiling. Climate change is both natural and also exacerbated by human kind and its need for ‘MORE’, including more people, more consumers. I do feel a strong element of ‘climate control’ going on as well.

    At this point, Mother Earth can and will continue with or without us. This is both comforting and sad, because it would be in our best interests to continue and become both her partner and loving protector. If we can’t do this as a species, we can do it as individuals.

    Has anyone else wondered why the story of one lion in Africa has galvanized so many people to come together and protest our treatment of wildlife? Who first reported this story and why? Why did this story take off like wildfire as it did? Was it about the timing and mood of the world in that moment? Was there a higher purpose behind the ‘murder’ of one lion in Zimbabwe?

    I confess that I do feel there are different factions playing out some bigger-picture scenario that is going on behind the scenes… Some strange competition for our souls that involves the future of our planet. Get right with yourself, who and what you are and be authentic in each and everything that you do. It matters, it ripples out, and it may influence others in ways that you may not have considered. Little victories, little day to day acts of kindness and compassion matter and never discount them as not enough.

  20. I feel that we are past the
    I feel that we are past the tipping point of proving climate change and its causes. It’s here. Those in denial are like the proverbial frog sitting in a pan of water that is slowly heating up to boiling. Climate change is both natural and also exacerbated by human kind and its need for ‘MORE’, including more people, more consumers. I do feel a strong element of ‘climate control’ going on as well.

    At this point, Mother Earth can and will continue with or without us. This is both comforting and sad, because it would be in our best interests to continue and become both her partner and loving protector. If we can’t do this as a species, we can do it as individuals.

    Has anyone else wondered why the story of one lion in Africa has galvanized so many people to come together and protest our treatment of wildlife? Who first reported this story and why? Why did this story take off like wildfire as it did? Was it about the timing and mood of the world in that moment? Was there a higher purpose behind the ‘murder’ of one lion in Zimbabwe?

    I confess that I do feel there are different factions playing out some bigger-picture scenario that is going on behind the scenes… Some strange competition for our souls that involves the future of our planet. Get right with yourself, who and what you are and be authentic in each and everything that you do. It matters, it ripples out, and it may influence others in ways that you may not have considered. Little victories, little day to day acts of kindness and compassion matter and never discount them as not enough.

  21. Cosmic Librarian, your name
    Cosmic Librarian, your name and comments convey much wisdom. The purpose behind things may not yet be clear, the rest of what you wrote is right on. Who are we? How are we called to be as individuals and a collective? Why are we here, now?

  22. Cosmic Librarian, your name
    Cosmic Librarian, your name and comments convey much wisdom. The purpose behind things may not yet be clear, the rest of what you wrote is right on. Who are we? How are we called to be as individuals and a collective? Why are we here, now?

  23. I like the hope at the end of
    I like the hope at the end of every article about climate change, and not to be a “buzzkill” but there is NO hope. Its to late, we have sold our children down the road for consumerism. If all methane & carbon stopped tonight with a quiet sun-it would still be to late. Is it going to be a worldwide concentrated effort by all human kind?
    Hardly…the train already left, and we will have to deal with it. Weather extremes are everywhere. I moved to the Mid-Atlantic 20 years ago from the Gulf Coast. I used to phone home and brag I didn’t need an AC except for 2 -3 weeks in summer. Now? Its 2-3 months. I have seen it in my lifetime. Even a large world wide system can be modeled. Food shortages are the real under current to today’s “yearn for freedom” spins we get from the news about the Middle east.. and now Turkey is cranking out the coal. Talk about shooting yourself in the foot! My advice? Take your children to see the coral reefs and African safaris, because that will all be gone in ~ 50 years!

  24. I like the hope at the end of
    I like the hope at the end of every article about climate change, and not to be a “buzzkill” but there is NO hope. Its to late, we have sold our children down the road for consumerism. If all methane & carbon stopped tonight with a quiet sun-it would still be to late. Is it going to be a worldwide concentrated effort by all human kind?
    Hardly…the train already left, and we will have to deal with it. Weather extremes are everywhere. I moved to the Mid-Atlantic 20 years ago from the Gulf Coast. I used to phone home and brag I didn’t need an AC except for 2 -3 weeks in summer. Now? Its 2-3 months. I have seen it in my lifetime. Even a large world wide system can be modeled. Food shortages are the real under current to today’s “yearn for freedom” spins we get from the news about the Middle east.. and now Turkey is cranking out the coal. Talk about shooting yourself in the foot! My advice? Take your children to see the coral reefs and African safaris, because that will all be gone in ~ 50 years!

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