[Today's post is excerpted from the newly released book, Global Warming and the Creator's Plan, by Jay A. Auxt and Dr. William M. Curtis III. This book unlocks clues to the controversy and shows readers how to sift unsuported rumor and alarmist rhetoric from verifiable facts. Published by Master Books.]
Global warming has become a fierce debate around the world. Internet search engines deliver more than 56 million hits. Former Vice President Al Gore champions the cause in every possible venue. The media continually trumpet the “impending danger” of severe climate change leading to global food shortages, and even the decline of humanity in as little as 100 years.
It is the media’s responsibility to keep the populace informed. It’s also the media’s job to keep their respective companies profitable. Thus, for one news outlet to outsell the other, “news” must be continually more sensational. Have we regressed to the yellow journalism that plagued media during the early 20th century?
Consider the MSNBC report from August 7, 2007. “South Africa in June had its first significant snowfall since 1981…in South America, Uruguay in May had its worst flooding since 1959…Buenos Aires saw snow in July for the first time since 1918.” The truth is, we should be seeing record-breaking years every year. The world is huge and the weather is diverse. There will be hot spots, cold spots, wet spots and dry spots every year.
This article is not alone. It is just one of many such reports every day. It is strictly hype. How does “the coldest ever in the Midwest” fit into global warming? In January 2009 Alaska was also having “coldest ever” records. Temperatures dropped to 60 below and stayed there for two weeks! This record cold snap was regularly referred to as an “extreme event.”
Alaska, however, was not unique. According to MSNBC on January 16, 2009, thirteen states were having subzero temperatures:
- -50 in Big Black River, MA
- -46 in Embarrass, MN
- -42 in Island Pond, VT
- -42 in Necedah, WI
- -39 in Berlin, NH
- -39 in Monticello, IA
- -36 in Sterling, IL
- -35 in Paradox, NY
- -26 in Stambaugh, MI
- -20 in Valparaiso, IN
- -19 in Lawton, PA
- -16 in Snowshoe Mountain, WV
- -14 in Dayton, OH
For this cold to span so many states in a single day must shatter many records. But that doesn’t stop all the hype.
As good stewards, Christians have an obligation to care for God’s provisions for us. This would be a natural extension of our gratefulness for all that He has so generously given to us. Notice that according to the biblical passage in Genesis 1:28 that God gave man dominion over all the earth. We are not responsible for rain, wind, volcanos, earthquakes, etc.
[Editor's note: As Christians, we are certainly responsible for being good stewards of God's creation. The purpose of this book is not to encourage shirking our responsibilities, but to provide the information necessary to assist Christians in making environmental decisions in a sound and responsible manner.]
