Author: R. Alan Harrop, Ph.D<\/p>\n
As I wrote in prior articles, the evidence that man\u2019s use of fossil fuels is the cause of climate change\/variations is very weak to non-existent. The climate has always varied due to natural causes unrelated to man\u2019s activities. Given these facts, the question becomes how can mankind continue to protect itself from these naturally occurring climate variations? Let\u2019s examine some options.<\/p>\n
Can mankind protect itself from climate impacts? Absolutely. Thanks to fossil fuels we have already been doing so. For instance, in 1920 it is estimated that over 500,000 people died worldwide from negative climate impacts. By 2020, that total was reduced to 11,000. Amazing what human innovation can accomplish when given free rein! Nature is indifferent to the survival of mankind and presents many threats to our existence such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, viruses, bacteria, etc. besides climate variations. The Marxist climate extremists, so-called \u201cgreenies\u201d, would have us believe that nature is benign and not a threat to mankind\u2019s survival. All we have to do us \u201ccommune\u201d with nature and all will be well. How naive! It is though they believe that all man-made things are bad and that naturally occurring things are good. The truth is that mankind\u2019s survival and success in prospering is due to our ability to over-come the threats presented by the natural world.<\/p>\n
Let me give you a personal example. For several years, I lived on a small farm that had several apple trees. Never having lived on a farm, l thought that in the Fall the trees would be loaded with nice juicy apples. In reality, each Summer, hordes of beetles would descend on the trees and practically denude them of foliage. Diseases also appeared as well as worms that marred the apples. Without modern insecticides and disease protection apple production as we know it would not occur. Without machines powered by fossil fuels, and fertilizers, overall global food production could not meet the needs of the global population<\/p>\n
Overcoming the harsh realities of nature, requires abundant and inexpensive energy sources and allowing the human mind to continue to innovate ways to protect us from the ravages of nature. Of course we want to do so at minimum negative impact on the environment which we have been doing with considerable success. For example, coal fired electrical plants in the United States now emit considerably less noxious emissions than in the past.<\/p>\n
All energy production has risks as well as benefits. For example, the wind turbines that the greenies adore destroy thousands of birds, and now we are seeing the killing of endangered whales and other marine life. The increased life span of humans, dramatic decrease in infant mortality, malnutrition, etc. are due to industrialization based on fossil fuels. We need to ensure that we have access to air-conditioning and heat to protect us from climate temperature variations. Solar and wind power can never do this. Nor will the eating of bugs and creation of laboratory produced meat feed the global population.<\/p>\n
We must stop the environmental extremists and those profiting from government programs and tax incentives from destroying the fossil fuel industry if we are to save our civilization. We must tell our elected officials that the move to green energy must be stopped before it is too late.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Author: R. Alan Harrop, Ph.D As I wrote in prior articles, the evidence that man\u2019s use of fossil fuels is the cause of climate change\/variations is very weak to non-existent. The climate has always varied due to natural causes unrelated … Continue reading