Save Us S.O.S. *

A letter I read in the Financial Times a couple of weeks ago has been bugging me. I must have read and re-read it about 20 times (yes, I know, what a saddo). The issue I have with it is that I really cannot work out whether the writer is using an ironic argument to highlight the dangers to our planet or - and this is a scary thought - is actually serious. You decide:

Climate change must be insulated against hot air of irrationality
By Ron Goodden
Published: February 6 2007 02:00 Last updated: February 6 2007 02:00
From Mr Ron Goodden.
Sir, The possible extent to which civilisation-induced global warming exists pales beside the climo-hysteria now being fomented over it.
If polar bears are truly to give way in our future to more kangaroos and vibrant tropical foliage, and balmier Canadian winters result in declining numbers of Speedo-clad Canadian pensioners on Florida beaches, I am left conflicted, at worst.
And I cannot, in good conscience, begrudge northerners whatever additional warmth they may derive from ongoing climate change that now trends ever so slightly in their favour. A glance at the world map confirms that we are still absolutely top-heavy with underused boreal real estate just waiting for dire global warming predictions to live up to expectations.
As for sea levels (where is the predicted rise, anyway?) perhaps it is time the Qattara Depression in north Africa and other sub-sea-level areas like it be put to good use generating hydroelectricity by allowing the sea to flow in, as has long been envisioned, simultaneously regulating sea levels a tad. The rift valley separating Israel from Jordan, used similarly, would combine economic with political-strategic benefits by further separating Israelis from unhappy Arab neighbours.
Climate change, though unavoidable, may be amenable to sensible amelioration; but let us not allow the hot air of irrationality to further exacerbate the situation.
Ron Goodden,
Atlanta, GA 30080, US

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