Global Warming challenge

A formidable body of scientists have urged that drastic steps be taken to reverse or at least slow the change in global climate change, which they regard as potentially catastrophic.

In opposition to this group are the doubters, those who reject all evidence of man-made contribution to the problem and the business and monied interests who contend that to pursue the suggested remedies would be ruinous, cost vast sums, damage industries and cost jobs.

In 1660, Blaise Pascal, a French mathematician and theologian, advanced a proposition, that came to be known as "Pascal's wager." The proposed wager was a bet - If there is a god and you follow the church you will gain paradise. On the other hand if you reject the church you will gain some minor indulgences in this life and lose nothing if there is no god. However, if you choose wrongly and there is a god you have gambled away an eternity in paradise and suffer an eternity of torment, for the sake of a few minor indulgences.

Applying this reasoning to the current global warming issue is a good fit. If the scientists are correct then logic compels us to take steps, drastic or not, to keep the planet habitable. If they are wrong and we follow their advice we will have added some layers of hardship and difficulty to our lives to no purpose. If, however, they are correct and we ignore their suggestions, we imperil the very survival of life on this planet.

Randy Ludacer
Lake Placid