What’s the deal with global warming and why is it such a point of contention?

I mean, I understand the basic and opposing scientific theories (I think). What I don’t understand is why it has salted political and religious debates around the world and has become a hill that so many seem to be willing to die on.

Several months ago, I rallied some friends together to watch Al Gore’s “An Inconvenient Truth” in our local independent theater. Afterwards, we sat in a coffee house debating whether or not his “sources” were reliable, if the evidence tickled our spiritual fancies and what it matters when compared to the other issues pressing in on our generation from all sides. Mixed reviews all around.

My personal take: Whether or not Al Gore’s facts were puffed up, whether the Bible does/doesn’t specifically mention atmospheric warming and wherever greenhouse gas issues fall on the priority ticker of our generation (when we’ve got the Middle East on our minds, etc.), shouldn’t everyone be concerned about conservation? Shouldn’t everyone aim to be good stewards of our planet? What’s so wrong with a little green thinking?

I’m especially disappointed in those who’ve criticized the Live Earth concert that took place on 7 continents on 7.7.07. Granted, the language could have been cleaned up and the event itself might have done more “practicing of their preaching” in terms of its own carbon footprint, but… through the course of the event, I learned about several small things I can do as a consumer that will really impact our world. Simple tips, like hanging my clothes out to dry or switching my bulbs to those that are more energy efficient. Or walking 5 blocks when I normally drive.

Additionally, I’m not sure I get why people have criticized the artists (John Mayer, Alicia Keys, etc.), claiming that they’ve used the global warming platform to do nothing more than further launch their careers. They are musicians–what else are they supposed to be doing with their time? Why not rally around and support a cause that really seems to boil down to simple things individual families can do to help get the earth a little cleaner?

I guess my point is this: Conservation is a good thing, no matter what your politics and religious beliefs are. Conservation is something that good parents should teach their children from the start. Developing a “conservation mentality” seems like it will get you pretty far in life anyway (i.e. save money, be quick to listen/slow to speak, etc.)

I’m sure there are people that know a whole lot more about this than I do, people that will get fired up and be quick to offer their sound rebuttals. But, I’m really just a normal person that likes the idea of being able to do simple things that make long term differences.

Do you remember what it felt like when you were five and your kindergarten teacher gave you a scratch-n-sniff watermelon sticker as a prize for coloring inside the lines? You probably felt pretty amazing and wore that sticker on your shirt and scratched it so much that all your little friends smelled watermelon too.

I felt way better than this when Jeff called recently and said our music had been reviewed by The Gazette. It feels so good to get a nod, positive or negative, by an objective listener. And overall, we were pumped by what Bill Reed had to say.

And if I’m honest, my happiness transitioned to exhileration (i.e. jumping up and down for 10 minutes) when Jeff read to the bottom of the review: “The second half [of the album] is mostly moody and thoughtful, punctuated by stirring violin.” My violin playing, according to a person I’ve never met, was “stirring!”

It really is the simple things, isn’t it?

Thanks for letting me pat myself on the back.