In the 1980s skin cancer was on the rise and scientists predicted that crops would be adversely impacted if we didn’t stop what was thinning the stratospheric ozone layer. It turned out that chlorofluorocarbons (CFSs) which were used as aerosol propellants, refrigerants, and solvents were the source of the problem. These compounds diffuse up into the stratosphere where they exponentially destroy the bonds between the ozone molecules that protect us from the sun’s ultraviolet radiation. Once again, opponents said that banning CFC’s would devastate our economy because “we didn’t have any effective alternatives.” However, innovation struck again, alternatives were found and now the ozone layer is repairing itself.
Now, we have global weirding (aka global warming). All over the world weather related disasters are becoming more frequent and catastrophic because the greenhouse effect is warming our planet. Science tells us that methane and carbon oxide (monoxide, dioxide) emissions are the major sources of the problem. However, the very powerful controllers of the sources of these emissions are trying to convince us otherwise. They are digging up alternative theories that are not widely supported by the scientific community. They want to place doubt in our minds so we will continue to burn their products. They do not want us to switch to more sustainable alternatives such as wind, solar, geothermal, biomass and biogases.
In the past people have argued that we couldn’t undo the damage that human beings are inflicting upon the earth. However we did turn things around and we can do it again. Global warming seems like an insurmountable problem, but the stakes are higher than ever before.
Read the full article at the Des Moines Register here
