you can define the term ‘climate change’ in 2 ways … one way is to take the 2 words at face value and claim that ‘climate change’ simply means that the Earth’s climate is not static –- that it is in constant flux … this is an uncomplicated (and rather meaningless) observation, as anyone can easily realize that unpredictability in weather is a rule rather than an anomaly …

the other definition contextualizes the term into a social or ecological framework … from these perspectives, ‘climate change’ describes one of the outcomes (and admittedly an enormous one) stemming from the mistreatment of Earth by several human societies over a period of more than 2 centuries …

semantically, these are 2 very different definitions of the term ‘climate change’ … & this difference has spawned a political, economic, and social dualism … advocates of environmental conservation firmly believe that the latter meaning of climate change is the most important and most relevant while many politicians, economists, industrialists, and abstract thinkers lean on the former definition as a weak crutch and justification for retaining the current level of comfort in their lives …

the obvious problem that arises from this inconsistency in popular views is that given the extremely important, arguably urgent, and ubiquitous corollary of climate change, we are collectively spending a lot of time, money, & effort trying to reach an agreement on whether or not climate change, as defined in the social and ecological context, is ‘real’ … in the meantime, we are risking everything by not heeding the precautionary advice & by not respecting the wisdom of very knowledgeable field scientists, indigenous leaders, & naturalists …

let’s suppose, for a moment, that climate change is not a concern … what would this mean? … i suspect this would allow people to indulge in all the luxuries & comforts their hearts would desire and that their bank accounts could afford (and then some), without consideration of possible consequences …

hmmm … this sounds a lot like the lifestyle billions of people have been living up to now … and when i speak of luxuries and comforts, i include running water and electricity upon demand, as well as guaranteed shelter, food, and warmth (so i include myself in the group of people who lives comfortably!) … indeed, these are all riches that we have gained from the use of natural resources, development of technology, and engineering of infrastructure such as sewage systems, power lines, & electrical grids …

indeed, if climate change is simply a figment of the imaginations of wacko environmentalists, then people who have access to all of this opulence can continue to bask in it, take it for granted, and ever-strive for more and more and more … more stuff, more money, bigger house, fancier car, more electronic gadgets and appliances, more vacations, more convenience, more bling … gotta have lots of bling … because that’s what makes people feel good, right? …

hmmm …. this is a dangerous way of thinking …. and of living … do you agree?