Letter: Civilization is driving climate disruption - Chico Enterprise-Record

Letter: Civilization is driving climate disruption - Chico Enterprise-Record

Michael Bertsch and I concur on what he calls climate change and what I call (more accurately, I believe) abrupt climate disruption (caused by anthropogenic global heating). We both accept the documented consensus of the world’s scientists that abrupt climate disruption is a real phenomenon that’s an existential threat to humankind and all higher life forms.

We differ on two points, however. First, he wrote, “… fire insurance leaves the state because of climate change …” No–it’s leaving because of us, Homo sapiens sapiens. We are the ones, with our insatiable fossil fuel-based consumption and pathological attachment to distractions and comforts, who are creating the existential threat to our species. It’s an important distinction to make: We need to fully recognize and own that we humans have created this unprecedented predicament for ourselves.

Second, Bertsch says, “We (our species, presumably) shall have a future … ” A number of prominent scientists say “we” (humans, et. al.) are “baked in” for a rise in global average surface temperature of at least four (probably more) degrees above pre-industrial (1750) baseline. That rise will prove catastrophic as pervasive loss of human habitat will ensue; such loss is already occurring. Civilization is a heat engine. Civilization is the problem. Cockroaches might have a future.

— Shannon Rooney, Chico