Our Responsibility to the Environment

The environment has never been a relevant political issue. Recently it has come into some popularity by folks on the left like Al Gore through his movie An Inconvenient Truth. When you think of the left you think of the tree-hugging crowd who would blame the citizens for every problem especially in regards to the environment. The left is not alone in their crusade to "save" the planet. Some Conservatives are joining the cause in saving the environment. These individuals appear to be coming from a more religious view of protecting the environment as stewards of God's creation then those on the left. I do not want to sound as if it is stupid to want live in a clean environment but the militant left takes the issue to the radical end as they do on most issues. Rush Limbaugh likes to respond to liberal hysteria about the environment by saying that we did not create this Earth so we cannot ultimately destroy it. I would agree with that we do not have the power to destroy this world. As a Conservative I would agree that we should try to find the healthiest way to do things if it is feasible and rational. I would love it if someone could find alternative resources so we are not dependent on foreign sources for our energy. I would like it for a national security issue but if it results in cleaner fuel sources great. If someone could invent a car engine that ran on water I would be all for it for its economic benefit and if it resulted in cleaner conditions great. The reality is scientists are so divided about most environmental issues like global warming that we do not have a clear answer. It was recently reported that our pollution in the air might actually create a protective layer from harmful elements. Does this mean that we should actively be trashing the planet? I would say no but we must remember that we have evolved into a world in which we rely on technology and technology that might produce unwanted outputs. It is great for people who want to power their homes through solar panels. Not only will it benefit the planet but will be economically advantageous. I think our responsibility to the environment is to deal with it through reasonable means. If it is advantageous to switch to alternative fuel sources because they provide economic benefit then great I am on board. We need to remember that we have to live on this planet and that by are mere presence we are effecting the environment. We need to resist the urge to become radicalized and irrational on the issue. We need to prevent the world from becoming an unlivable wasteland but through rational means.