56%??

While browsing around CNN's website for a blog topic, I noticed a little poll in the bottom corner of the screen; "Do you believe global warming is a proven fact caused by man?" I quickly voted 'yes' and viewed the voting tally. I didn't expect it to be 100%, of course, but the results shocked me. Only 56% voted 'yes,' while the remaining 44% didn't believe that global warming exists. I don't mean to sound conceited because I don't know what these people's reasonings were behind voting the way they did, but it seems like a lot of people are pretty ignorant about the incredible issue of global warming.

Even after Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth" shocked Americans three years ago, and the mass confusion and anger set in about the causes and effects of global warming, only 56% of our country believes it's even a manmade problem. It has been said that "global warming is no longer a political issue but rather, the biggest moral challenge facing our civilization today" (ClimateCrisis.net). Americans need to take notice of what's going on our planet, and try to mobilize to stop it.

One step that has been taken that I find really great is the Copenhagen Climate Conference, taking place right now in Copenhagen, Denmark. (Our own President Obama is scheduled to attend next week). However, just this week has America's Environmental Protection Agency formally released a statement declaring that greenhouse gases are harmful to human health. This has raised hopes nation-wide that President Obama will harness the ability he has to put laws in order to limit the amount of carbon emissions we put out. While many republicans and even some democrats believe that cutting out great quantities of carbon emissions will be very bad for the nation's industry, President Obama has thankfully placed it high on his list of priorities.

All of this seems to raise the question; what is more important in American right now- the economy, or the climate crisis? It seems to be a win-lose situation either way, but it's time for us to stop thinking selfishly and embrace our power as a world leader to help the world as a whole. Solving the climate crisis will not only help our nation prosper ultimately by allowing ourselves and our children to live on a safe planet, but we will also be helping nations worldwide.

This isn't only about us- I can't believe that in the most powerful nation in the world, we can't take enough initiative to help the planet we lead. When only 56% of the nation is willing to accept the existence problem, how can we expect a solution to be reached? Hopefully President Obama will make some good decisions at the Copenhagen conference, and I'll be a little bit more proud to call myself an American.