Another thought on this topic struck me the other day. It may well be
obvious to most of the respondents and lurkers, but maybe the reason why so
little attention is being given to our dwindling natural resources is that
energy is looked upon as an open-ended system. I mean this in two ways:
The general consensus appears to be that there are enough sources of energy
"out there" that there is no need to worry. Just as we expect to have light
when we switch a light switch (because there's an apparent overabundance of
electrons just outside our home just waiting to be given the opportunity to
course through the tungsten filament), we expect that there will always be
yet another oil field waiting to be discovered and tapped.
The other opinion appears to be that, if we don't use these resources,
somebody else will. We, therefore, had better get our "share" before
somebody else beats us to it. Thus, the temptation is there to think that
even, as individuals, or as nations, make do with less, the rest of society
will not follow our example.
To combat the first opinion, the "eternally optimistic opinion," education
is required. To combat the second takes more than "just education" because
it is an ethical issue.
Christians who are scientists have a role to play in addressing both
opinions.
Chuck Vandergraaf
> ----------
> From: Dawsonzhu@aol.com[SMTP:Dawsonzhu@aol.com]
> Sent: Sunday October 01, 2000 9:50 AM
> To: asa@calvin.edu
> Subject: Re: CNN on Oil
>
> Glenn Morton wrote:
>
> << I was actually surprised that this issue has already made it to CNN.
> Normally reporters sleep at the switch until it is too late.
> >>
>
> Just a dull day in the new room. I am glad they bring it up, but
> until it turns into a brawl in the political arena, I wouldn't
> expect much impact. It needs to be a big jackhammer in the face
> to get any real attention. It seems that the public attention
> span cannot exceed 6 months on the very outside. When the span
> hits the fan...., that's when it gets down to business.
>
> By maybe, just maybe, there is still Grace,
> and by Grace alone, we really can proceed,
> Wayne
>
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