The Rocket

Issue date: 3/2/07 Section: Opinion

One thing that I've noticed in the past few years is how open Americans are to admitting that they are selfish people. The word is never mentioned, of course, but selfishness embeds itself in our identity as Americans. Take global warming, for instance.

Global warming is not a conservative or liberal issue, Democrat or Republican issue, it is a human issue. However, when thrust into the public eye, it turns into a battle over who is right and who is wrong.

When it comes down to it, anyone who denies global warming or refuses to do anything about it is wrong, and not to mention, exceedingly selfish.

It has been scientifically proven that carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere are rising. It has also been found that ocean temperatures have been rising, as well as sea levels. Sure, the planet goes through natural periods of climate change, but not at this rapid pace.

Anyone who denies this fact is possibly sadly mistaken.

The environmental changes have been intensified by humankind.

Without our gas-guzzling Hummers, smoke-spewing factories and the exploitation of the planet's natural resources, the Earth would be a much happier place.

Humans are a part of the Earth, yes, but our impact upon the planet is powerful and selfish. The acceptance of the idea of global warming and feeling the need to change is not anti-human, as some conservatives may lead you to believe, it's pro-human.

Generations in the future will thank us for doing our part to lessen the environmental damage.

Many people claim that doing their part to lessen the impact of our presence would inconvenience them, and even disrupt their way of life. But, honestly, what rational person would object to turning off a light when they left the house?

Doing little things, like recycling paper, driving a smaller car that will comfortably suit your needs, and turning off the faucet when you brush your teeth, is hardly life-ruining material.

Finding renewable energy sources isn't something that we, as Americans, need to think about.

Environmentalists are not for the destruction of the human race. The country would not starve to death if we invested in renewable energy sources, such as sun, and wind, and integrated them into our way of life.

The only reason global warming is an issue is because it can be an issue.

Once President George W. Bush mentions it, then it becomes ammunition for Republicans and Democrats alike. If some Democrats have a 'Save the Earth' stance, then some Republicans must combat that with either denial, or by calling them crazy and mentally unstable.

If wanting to conserve energy makes me an extremist, anti-human bleeding-heart, then so be it. When gas prices hike to $3 a gallon and you're still driving a Hummer, I'll have the last laugh then, because when it really comes down to it, isn't this all just laughable?

Our immense selfishness as a country is laughable. We look like the obnoxious, sloppy, self-centered bigots the rest of the world has always pegged us for.

It's embarrassing, it's disappointing, and it's also amusing to be able to stand up and say, "I'm not one of these abominations."

This is exactly what makes America great. The freedom to deny the truth until it comes back to get us. Global warming is real, and it needs to be taken care of. Until we take our selfish heads out of the sand, the world will continue to crumble under our feet.

Lisbeth Wells-Pratt is a freshman undeclared major and a regular contributor to The Rocket.

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