It is an odd confluence of events that leads to this short post on an unusual topic.  The topic is climate change.  It is unusual because I rarely focus on environmental or political issues on OpposablePlanets.    Climate change is inseparably both.

The odd confluence of events are these: I found myself this evening reviewing IDEO’s new website on climate change:  when I read this comment from Jim,

Are you willing to be open to designs that consider that global warming and climate change are a hoax? With the recent debunking of the “Hockey Stick” research, it is becoming apparent that global warming and climate change are not only not happening, but the very opposite is. Recall, the “Hockey Stick” is what propelled Al Gore into producing “An Inconvenient Truth.”

…It is incredible to me to see so many scientists and the general public take the word of non-scientific individuals to draw their conclusions on this particular area of science. A true scientist always remains skeptical.

Jim goes on from there in the same vein.   I began to write a comment – then realized I just didn’t have time to do it justice.  Then I checked my Twitter feed (why would I be doing that after having just stated that I didn’t have time to comment on the most pressing issue of our time?  Good, unanswerable question).   There I saw multiple calls to join Blog Action Day – and post something about climate change on October 15.  So without further ado is the comment I wanted to leave for Jim – I will also post it to the IDEO site just so Jim has a fair chance at response.

Dear Jim,

Consider which side of the bargain your position lies on. If you are right and there is no climate change what will we have lost if we operate under the premise that climate change is real?  We will likely have new, cleaner industries, less pollution and better, sustainable production of goods.   If however, we act as though you are right and you turn out to be wrong, what then?   What are the consequences of inaction?  The U.S. military seems to think it is “the prospect of food shortages, water crises and catastrophic flooding driven by climate change that could demand an American humanitarian relief or military response.”  Meanwhile as the ice in the Arctic visibly melts ( hoax?) the Russians are setting up a military force to protect its interests there.

Yours seems to be the untenable side of the bargain – even if you are right.