“The Future of Human Civilization Is at Risk”

“The future of human civilization is at risk.”  These are words spoken yesterday (July 17) by former Vice President and Nobel prize winner Al Gore.  We need to take these words seriously.  But will we?

I look around in this most beautiful of days here in Portland, Oregon–72 degrees, with a slight breeze, and sunshine.  My beans and tomatoes are flourishing.  The squirrels are chattering in the big leaf maples that frame my craftsman house.  It’s difficult to believe on a day like this that human civilization is at risk. They’ll figure it out, we say.  There’ll be a techno fix–you’ll see. 

Actually, we can act to save ourselves.  But it will not be up to “them,” whoever “they” are.  It will be up to us–the people, that is.  Don’t expect political leaders to act.  Last winter, the House failed to pass a bill requiring utilities to produce 15 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by 2020.  Don’t expect business to lead the way.  Yes, there’ll be the few enlightened practices–but note how our automobile industry went blindly into this oil crisis with their SUV’s and pick-ups.  Remember that business is always chiefly concerned with the bottom line, and that bottom line is profit for the company, not the future of the earth.  And politics is run by big money.  Many corporations give generously to both parties and therefore exercise an inordinate amount of influence on the political decisions made in Congress. 

So it’s back to us–everyday ordinary citizens.  We have to provide the leadership that is not being provided by this country’s leaders.  Each and every one of us needs to become an activist.  “But what could I possibly do?” you might say.  “I’m just one small voice.”  Let me make some suggestions.

Join a non-profit group or church that is active in environmental work.  Tell your friends and neighbors the truth about how serious the environmental crisis is and how concerned you are.  Become politically active–write letters and send e-mails to your Congresspeople.  Support candidates who have a strong voting record on environmental issues.  Contribute financially to groups that are working to make a difference.  Make a point to conserve energy in your own personal life–not because your car-pooling or biking will save the world, but as a witness.  Others will notice, and follow.  When enough of us have turned in the right direction, change will be inevitable.

The rise in the price of gasoline has been the singular event that has most captured the popular imagination in regard to the crisis in the environment.  The stress on our pocketbooks has done what speeches, scientists, and prophetic environmentalists could not do.  It is a blessing in disguise. 

Gore said, “We’re borrowing money from China to buy oil from the Persian Gulf to burn it in ways that destroy the planet.  Every bit of that has to change.”  Gore’s plan is for the U.S. to do away with all carbon-emitting forms of electricity by 2018.  Gore has set forth a vision that calls us to greatness, and I believe that as a people we are capable of this greatness.  We are idealistic, inventive, practical, and resourceful.  We deeply and fervently want to do the right thing.  I pray that we will.  In time.