Jim’s reflection at the recent service honoring our high school graduating seniors got me to reflect on an experience I had earlier in the year. I was staying in a Fairfield Inn in Roanoke, VA, on my way back from Washington, DC, and headed to the free breakfast in the morning. It was winter, and the weather was on the television since snow was in the forecast and, although snow was imminent, the current weather was balmy. A male guest and the woman serving breakfast, both of whom looked to be about 70, were discussing the crazy weather. Although it seemed obvious to them that something was wrong and they didn’t need a scientist to tell them so, the general conclusion was that the media was preaching to them about climate change and they really didn’t need to worry about it.
I didn’t know what to say, so I didn’t say anything. Data and climate models weren’t going to make much of an impact if personal observation can’t. In fact, it seemed like the humdrum of scientific analysis was having the opposite effect of galvanizing resistance to smarter-than-thou eggheads telling the public what to do. Besides, I believe the focus on right and wrong is a distraction from the conversation we should be having, and discussion is risk. The current climate works for today’s population distribution. Tomorrow’s climate might not, and the competition for resources could get ugly. So the question is … do we have to take that risk or does a different economy based on sustainable infrastructure also provide sufficient jobs and opportunities for the population? Of course, as a species we suck at risk management. We are much more attracted to short-term gains than long-term stability, and there’s a public bravado with risk-taking that leads us over the cliff. Not to mention, we all think we are going to win the lottery.
Regardless, Jim’s reflection put the discussion in context for me. It’s not about climate models, or even risk management. The underlying question is … do you have children or grandchildren? Nieces? Nephews?
–Joe Criscione