It's really simple!

Below is an email in response to finding yet another Climate Change Science website with more information that most would or could wade through. I wouldn't suggest that the science is unimportant, but it's fine tuning from the viewpoint of a society that is headed toward a cliff and is so concerned about how fast it can proceed toward the brink that it may not be able to stop before plunging over the edge--that would leave the learning how to fly part to subsequent generations--I hope they are quick learners. 

I think one of the perceived problems is that there is now an overabundance of information about climate change. Defining the scope of the problem, creating a plan and implementing that plan draws on science, sociology, psychology, ethics , etc, etc. 

No one is well versed in all that stuff---nor can most even keep pace the advances in knowledge in just one discipline 

BUT we don't need to understand the details. The right wing nuts keep suggesting that if we don't understand climate change we shouldn't do anything to curb CO2 emissions. 

That's a logically flawed argument. We understand LITTLE about our world these days, but that doesn't stop us from interacting with it. 

We drive cars on the freeway--but we don't know what makes a car work or how the freeway was constructed. We fly on airlines--not knowing how the plane was designed or how the air traffic control technology operates.

We use our planet, but understand little about it. 

We can see that what our ancestors did had an impact on our present lives. Cities are located in certain places because of our ancestors--natural resources are depleted--landscape changes--all just in a matter of decades. We KNOW what we do in the present will impact later generations. 

Does anyone really believe that population and energy use can continue to expand indefinitely without dire consequences? 

Is is really VERY simple--LOTS of people (how about everyone?) need to reduce their CO2 emissions NOW.  

Timing is critical--more critical than the amount. 

Renewables and big initiatives are also important, but behavior can change fast and little changes multiplied by millions of people equals a big reduction--and it doesn't matter WHERE it happens--it's one atmosphere.

Affluent countries can reduce CO2 use by a greater amount than poor countries--and hardly notice a change in lifestyle. That's OK--the only equity we need to worry about is that we all live on ONE planet. 

The politics just gets in the way and encourages buck passing.