WindowView on Global Change
Introduction
This section of WindowView looks at specific points of information that have for a long time seemed relatively insignificant—but this is no longer true. Global change looms on a quickly approaching horizon. In some cases we are already on the horizon of irreversible change! The problems related to change continue to grow, ever more complex and are begging our utmost attention—it's inescapable, for this is the reality in which we all live.
Click on photo above to see short videoPolar ice melts drastically over recent decades.
Scientists predict complete loss of Arctic ice within 3 to 4 decadesCHANGE is real. It continues to affect life's diversity, the earthly backdrop described by science, and makes for irreversible losses to the material base (all of nature, natural resources) that is our foundation for life.
There are a number of topical areas that we will represent here. This is a place to envision the greater and expanding dimensions to change. Time is an essential ingredient. Certainly humans can do something to counter change, but to what extent and how soon?
- We may see conservation and sustainable practices be implemented, but will this come on a truly comprehensive global scale?
- Humans will respond, but how will life on earth fare in the time course ahead?
- What is the real challenge faced by humans?
- Stewardship is worthy of our corporate attention as a species that can think and act. But we are also a species that can be tempted and that argues over direction.
- What sin might underlie and alter our course?
Give it some thought, for all this, too, is part of the WindowView!
Graphic from: Climate Change Impacts On The United States - The Potential Consequences of Climate Variability and Change. 2000. A Report of the National Assessment Synthesis Team; US Global Change Research Program, Cambridge University Press.
by T. Peterson, Ph.D.
(the following text excerpts are taken from:
The Creator's Window -Viewing Global Change,
Universal timelines, & The Promise, © 2000)''Although related in many respects, climate and global changes can be viewed as separate issues. The public repeatedly hears of the greenhouse effect and ozone depletion—these are climate topics. Global changes concern social, political, and economic issues. Altogether, change research is now conducted by individuals representing nearly every area from the social to physical sciences. Researchers recognize international policy agreements are the only hope for a significant unified response to global needs. The scientific community now learns the process only works when individuals, institutions, and nations agree to communicate objectively, to identify common problems, and then make decisive moves to produce solutions. The process is complex because many professionals have limited experience outside their discipline. They now face working with, and listening to, others who view the world differently. Meanwhile, humanity’s response time is a critical part of the change computation. As stated by Dr. T. F. Malone:
That was then, the 90s, this is now ... past the year 2000... ironically, we are still hearing today, years later, a decade since Dr. Malone's statement, that we are now in a critical timeframe for making decisions. What direction will humanity take? What will the pleas or perspectives be in another decade?
References from SXi and page number refer to the Sigma Xi Forum Proceedings: Global Change and the Human Prospect: Issues in Population, Science, Technology and Equity, November 1991. The importance of this science society's forum is that the meeting was forward looking and demonstrates how scientists from social, biological, and physical sciences all saw change on the rise. Not just climate change, but change in every aspect of human and earth affairs ... globally.
