So there has been quite a bit of debate about human caused climate change, or so I would like to think. Granted, there are those that would argue that the debate is over and now it's time for action, of course I disagree. While I don't disagree that "greener" companies, less dependence on nonrenewable sources of energy and less pollution in the air are all good things, what I am skeptical about is the fervor with which the "blame humans" crowd telling tales of impending doom of the globe into a boiling planet flooded by melted polar ice caps if we don't immediately change our ways. Before you totally and likely ignorantly come to a decision based on the flyby media and "an inconvenient truth," take a quick sec and check out these recent articles:


Did you know that temperatures since 2001 have actually been declining?

"Carbon Emissions Don't Cause Global Warming" - Dr. David Evans

"Climate scientists at the University of Rochester, the University of Alabama, and the University of Virginia report that observed patterns of temperature changes (‘fingerprints’) over the last thirty years are not in accord with what greenhouse models predict and can better be explained by natural factors, such as solar variability. Therefore, climate change is ‘unstoppable’ and cannot be affected or modified by controlling the emission of greenhouse gases, such as CO2, as is proposed in current legislation." Press Release- Dr S. Fred Singer

Did you know it was actually warmer during the midevil period than it is today?
"Medieval Warm Period Reinstated" - Dr. Craig Loehle

Did you know that one of the founding members of the expert reviewers panel of the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (UN IPCC) is calling for the abolishment of the panel?
Article - Dr. Vincent Gray

Did you know that CO2 contributions to climate change are considered negligible?
"Heat capacity, time constant and sensitivity of Earth's climate system" - Brookhaven National Laboratory

Did you know that "world climate predictors" admit they're only right about half the time?
Article - The New Zealand Climate Science Coalition

Did you know that many of the climate models used by forecasters are built by "unlicensed engineers?"
"Unlicensed Engineers" - Dr. Hendrik Tennekes

Did you know that less than half of all published scientists actually endorse human caused climate change?
"Comprehensive survey of published climate research reveals changing viewpoints" - Michael Asher

and Finally,

Did you know that Carbon Dioxide did not cause the last ice age? (contrary to popular belief)
"Deep-sea temperatures rose 1,300 years before atmospheric CO2, ruling out the greenhouse gas as driver of meltdown, says study in Science." - Terah DeJong, USC

Needless to say, the debate is still thriving... Perhaps we should wait a bit longer before buying into possible carbon credit schemes and funding more week long seminars on climate change, which themselves, create more pollution that 20,000 automobiles... but that's just a thought.

So I'm at work right now, writing this little note. I was going to wait until I got home in an hour or so, but I wanted to write it "in the moment."

I'm sure many have heard the adage "…the only thing constant is change…" I think the most amazing thing about change is that most of the time we don't realize it's going on. We see ourselves a particular way, in our mind's eye. We feel we look a particular way, act a particular.. and then one day something happens that prods us to take a moment and revisit ourselves. Now whether such an event is life changing, like the passing on of a dear friend, or something small like an email from a loved one, they can both significant.

I received an email from my mom today… actually about 20 mins ago. It was simple, maybe two sentences, I was skimming it while listening to music, chatting with a co-worker and making a telephone call… and in all that, time froze. For a simple moment, I didn't know what to do, emotions welled up inside and I actually started to tear up. This was my moment for reflection…

I had a friend ask me a week or so ago whether I saw her as much younger than myself… and by "younger" she meant in some derogatory way. Initially I shrugged and said no. However, that question has played through my mind countless times since then. I find myself asking "what makes me different than the person that's 4 or 6 or even 8 years younger?" My initial answer is simple.. because I'm older.
But deep down, what's the separation? Wisdom? Life experiences? Perhaps it's this time of reflection? While I can't speak generally I'll speak for myself for a bit.

I think something that separates me, at least partially, is knowing that I'm not perfect, and I'll never be. I know that's a shock to many, it was to me. I am okay that I'm not perfect… And humility begins when we realize that there is so much greater than myself… and that the significance of our loved ones is greater than our own. Maybe the biggest difference is simply the amount of time I spend reflecting… I want to know that I'm growing in a significant measurable way… I want to deposit significantly into those that need it most; whether significantly means sharing with and comforting a friend, buying a meal, or simply saying God Bless.

(sigh) I think more than anything, the biggest change in my own life, is that I am slowly beginning to get a glimpse of the power of simple words. Love, Friend, Humility, Thank you, Confidence, Hero… and while it wasn't always the case.. I am in increasingly in amazement at the thought of my parents. While not perfect, I don't know that there are a better pair of loving, caring, God fearing people…

With that.. I close this disjointed serious of words and thoughts.