Don’t wait to act on global warming

Steven Ginther, Mesquite The writer is an independent consultant for green-building technology.

Friday, July 3, 2009 | 2:03 a.m.

The controversy over climate change ultimately lies in the mathematics of balance. The Earth and moon orbit the sun in a relative state of balance. Too much gravitational pull or too little, and Earth is no more. Math behind carbon emissions is measurable and verifiable. The result of the effect on the environment is, however, hypothetical.

As human-produced pollutants enter our environment, the math will show ever-increasing detriment to human and animal well-being. Fish consumption advisories are increasing, freshwater is decreasing, birth defects from chemicals are increasing, animal species are decreasing, and so on. These are all measurable effects of human-created industrialization.

Yes, one major volcanic eruption could decimate the environment; one large asteroid impact could have global consequences. Yes, if we conserve resources, costs will go up to maintain economic balance. Yes, the cost of going green will be expensive.

The math will show that we are living way out of balance with the natural environment and, as with Earth’s orbit, balance is critical. Measurable carbon emissions clearly demonstrate a major imbalance, and the consequences are unknown.

I say believe in the math and let’s all try to work harder for balance. Waiting for the prophecy of global warming or cooling to materialize is naive.