Having a climate change discussion with folks where we live might cause some global warming of another kind—red faces, flared tempers, and hot-under-the-collar reactions. I would rather not hide this issue under a burning bush. In fact, I would jump at the chance to go to Washington, D.C., or a global conference and address the key players. And we, dear earthlings, are all key players in this deal.
Like many of you, I have family and friends who work in the petroleum industry at all levels. Whether it’s selling gasoline-fueled vehicles, working as roustabouts, drilling, producing, surveying, selling, maintaining, driving rigs— each component drives the economy for much of our state. School districts often thrive in these property-rich areas, too. As a teacher in one such town, I certainly reaped the benefits.
Yet, climate change is upon us. Forget the politics of the matter. Science continues to monitor and provide the critical evidence that our world is changing. I try to do my part by driving a gasoline-powered fuel-efficient vehicle that gets 40 mpg. But not everyone has the luxury of choice. Those folks who till the soil, raise the livestock, and transport the goods and services rely on petroleum. Their services are ones that benefit all of us. Can common sense and innovation bring the two viewpoints together?
We approach the theory of climate change in several ways. Some have a fatalistic narrative that it is all going to end someday, so just make the most of Mother Earth while you can. Other arguments about global warming are resigned to apocalyptic events foretold in the Book of Revelation. Many people are wary of drastic measures to combat the changes in our earth’s atmosphere because it might disrupt the economy and ruin us globally even faster. A few optimists from both sides believe we can co-exist with non-renewables and clean energy while constantly innovating.
My expertise is nil. Of late, I have been trying to study more about both sides of this “hot” topic as it pertains to Texas, to the United States, and to the world. What I wouldn’t give to talk to a joint session of Congress and tell them to do the darn work.
I want them locked in their Capitol annexes for at least three weeks meeting with scientists, petroleum engineers, environmental engineers, economists, and businessmen to come up with a viable incremental plan that would satisfy the main goals for each sector. And then I would tell them they cannot come out of their rooms until they have resolved their differences (said in my firm teacher voice but with a smidgeon of grandmotherly sweetness, as in “if you do this, I’ll make you all some homemade Butterfinger ice cream and chocolate chip cookies”). I have had relative success with this tactic as a mother, grandmother, and teacher.
Not only would I reprimand and bribe, but I would try a bit of inspiration. Before I dismiss them to go to their respective chambers to accomplish this bold mission, I would leave them with some Native American philosophy. The reverence many native tribes held for nature is well documented. Chief Seattle said that all things are connected and that we belong to the earth, not the other way around. One could argue that Jesus’s parable of the talents is not only about taking care of money but anything we have been gifted—and earth was created as a gift to mankind.
In concluding my short granny lecture to Congress, everyone would each get a copy of these lines from the Lakota Instructions for Living.
When one sits in the Hoop of People,
One must be responsible because
All of Creation is related.
And the hurt of one is the hurt of all.
And the honor of one is the honor of all.
And whatever we do effects everything in the universe.
Isn’t that a great phrase— Hoop of People? Circled up, holding on to each other, working together, and acknowledging our responsibility to those who stand with us in the arena.
It is time to “warm up” to the idea that we are indeed in this together.
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