The Millennial Files

It’s Time to Stop the Time Bomb

As we wrap up 2006, and head into 2007, there is a lot to take into account.  As global temperatures continue to rise, icebergs continue melt, ice-shelves continue to break off with more regularity, and a significant number of Americans continue to drive SUV’s, V-8 trucks, and Hummers (non-hybrid or fuel cell), we are all going to end up in a heap of trouble no amount of money or government regulation will be able to fix. 

During the last few months, I have struggled with finding something to write about global warming, here at The Millennial Files. Our original purpose was to educate, inform and prove the existence of global warming/global climate change. 2006 brought so much publicity, especially with Al Gore’s film (thanks to Laurie David) An Inconvenient Truth, I (wrongly) figured our job, in conjunction with many other environment activists had been done. On top of that, during the mid-year, I saw several articles talking about a Tipping Point, a projected point  (2016)of no return.  

How anyone could argue the reality of global warming, especially when those who did, ’fessed up they had been funded by vested interests like ExxonMobil was beyond me. Further, when it was disclosed many of the arguments presented against human activity being responsible for global warming, originated from the Bush Administration, it seemed that the general public probably understood global warming was not a myth, and they would take responsible action, and change their old habits — especially regarding alternative and efficient energy consumption. Also, how could they ignore the 10-year deadline for change? I figured they were duly educated and given just the right dose of fear to inspire/instigate action on their own.

However, a November Showtime special featuring magicians, Penn & Teller (see below),  proved me wrong. Had it only been aired on that somewhat-viewed channel, it could have been just considered harmless entertainment, but unfortunately, it was uploaded to the internet.

What bothered me most, was not so much the sleight-of-hand, deceitful and misleading load of misinformation (bordering on outright lies) presented to debunk the validity of recycling, but rather the amount of people who used (and continue to) the link in order to support their self-centered lifestyle. For example coyoteblog.com introduced a link to P&T’s shil with “ I have long suspected, but can’t prove, that most of the recycling we do is worthless“, and then reinforced by another bogus study invalidating hybrids. 

This is especially disconcerting, not only in terms of the potential pigstyes created and landfills overburdened, but also because a signficant greenhouse gas, methane is emitted in landfills in large amounts, and is a larger factor in global warming than carbon dioxide. As much as P&T may have been just “having a little fun,” they were also preparing & justifying the slitting of our own, as well as generations’ to come, throats.

Last week, when the Bush Adminstration proposed listing the Polar Bear on the ‘threatened’ species list, alarm bells went off that would put sonic boom to shame.   Not only are the Polar Bears drowning, but as the nearby permafrost also melts, (more) methane gas is released into the air. This is what Al Gore refers to in An Inconvenient Truth as the first of two environmental canaries– the Arctic, and Antarctic. When one goes, we are in trouble. When the other, we are shafted.

With this in mind, the Millennial Files will continue to work on informing, debunking and being part of the light that guides the way back to a healthy and life supporting world. On a personal level, we must do what it takes to reduce our methane and CO2 contributions to the world. We can also encourage our local governments to do the same with using hydrogen fuel cel mass transit vehicles, and solar powered municipal buildings. On a national level, we must push our representatives to implement an Apollo-style energy program NOT designed by Big Oil and energy companies. For more specific and accurate information and suggestions, I cannot recommend highly enough viewing An Inconvenient Truth, preferably with friends. In all honesty, the most important question of the film is directed at the audience: ”What will you do?”

The following words have never been more true: The future is in our hands.