First The Facts

Leanne M. Jablonski FMI, PhD

Environmental scientists today are relieved that findings about sustainability issues – particularly global climate change and biodiversity loss – are finally in the forefront of media awareness and public action. There has been broad consensus in the scientific community for over a decade that human factors contribute to higher carbon dioxide (CO2) levels and global warming. Since the start of the industrial revolution in 1850, global CO2 has increased from the burning of fossil fuels such as coal and oil (dead, compressed plants). With removal of forests and other natural areas (that take CO2 from the air through photosynthesis) and higher industrial consumption, CO2 is now greater than it has been for over 650,000 years. This gas traps heat; a thicker CO2 blanket in the atmosphere leads to higher temperatures. This relationship between CO2 and temperature was confirmed by scientists who measured gas bubbles buried in ancient arctic ice cores.

The 2007 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report (www.ipcc.ch)  is a synthesis by over 2500 scientific expert reviewers of 29,000 datasets. They found a significant rise in global average temperature and sea level and widespread increase in snow and ice melt – with 89% of the datasets exhibiting changes in the direction expected from warming.

Global warming is exacerbating environmental challenges such as biodiversity loss. Through habitat alteration, over-exploitation and introduction of invasive alien species, human influence is causing the sixth and fastest mass extinction of the earth’s species. The extinction rate is 1000 - 10,000 times greater than previously known (www.iucn.org). We have only described 1.75 million species of the 13 - 14 million estimated to exist. In the near future we are predicted to lose 1 in 4 mammals, 1 in 8 birds, and 1 in 3 amphibians. The greatest biological diversity is in the rainforests – the source of most of our pharmaceuticals and the ancient strains for breeding disease resistance into contemporary crops. Our ecosystems are wonderful webs of life – each species playing a vital role in links we don’t yet fully understand. Losing species could cause these ecosystems to become more vulnerable. We are invited to be humble like Noah and try to ensure the integrity of all God’s creatures.

Scientists are applying the term, tipping point to communicate our need for prudence so we avoid a global warming or biodiversity catastrophe. This is the idea that we can keep pressuring a system, but there will come a point where we cannot simply reverse it, just as a hiker going over a cliff edge cannot return to the mountain with one step backwards. Another analogy is that you can stay up very late catching up on work for a day or two, but if repeatedly sleep-deprived, you’ll get very sick. One night’s sleep will not restore your health. Scientists are concerned that the pressure human behavior is putting on the environment will eventually push ecosystem resilience beyond the limit of being able to bounce back.

If scientists have been so clear in our consensus, why has such controversy appeared in the media?  For one, scientists are now increasingly taking responsibility to communicate more clearly to the general public. Another contributing factor is the misinterpretations that arise due to differences in communication style. The media approach is to tell two contrasting points of view for the sake of an interesting story. However, two views do not mean that half of all scientists support one point of view and half believe the other.

Secondly, the naturally cautious style of scientists when asked to absolutely commit to a fact should not be interpreted as an absolute UNcertainty. Rather, scientific knowledge develops over time and with repeated studies under the rigorous scrutiny of the scientific method. A complex subject like climate change demands the integration of many studies and scientists have painstakingly looked for trends and relationships that support predictions. Some variability and occasional deviation of data points from the general trend is expected and normal.  Surprisingly, in many cases the actual data observed (high temperature and storm events) is of greater frequency than previously predicted, giving more cause for urgent action. What is not known (and cannot be easily predicted) are the details regarding the degree of response, the impact, and precision as to when and where global warming will be observed.

How can we be critical and discerning of a science media story?

1.  Read/ or listen carefully.

Is it one study that is being talked about (put less weight on this), or is it a review, synthesis of several works, or report of a major group of esteemed scientists?

2.  Check the affiliation of authors.  Was the article peer-reviewed in a scientific journal, or is it only the opinion of the author or particular group that might have an agenda other than sound science?

3.  Consult reliable science sources. The Union of Concerned Scientists (www.ucsusa.org)  and Ecological Society of America Issues in Ecology (www.esa.org)  are exemplary in representing sound science. The National Academy of Sciences (www.nasonline.org)  applies the highest rigor of expert scientists from diverse fields.

As people of faith, we have an additional level of concern: the call to justice since the burden of climate change often falls disproportionately on those of low income and high vulnerability (www.catholicsandclimatechange.org). Family ministers have an important role, since the greatest impact on reducing fossil fuel use (and thus CO2 production) comes from making choices in everyday family living– housing, food, goods, services, and transportation.

Some educational resources and steps to encourage:

1.  Reduce your footprint. 

The ecological footprint (www.myfootprint.org)  and carbon footprint (www.safeclimate.net) calculators show impacts of lifestyle choices. Since individual use of the car contributes 25% of CO2 emissions in the US, consider fuel efficient models, public transportation, combining trips and carpooling.

2.  Enjoy healthy family meals.

By buying what is local and in-season, reducing packaging and processed food, taking time to enjoy eating together, supporting locally grown and community supported agriculture, eating less meat and taking family outings to ‘you-pick’ farms, you will have both healthier bodies and a healthier planet (www.localharvest.org).

3.  Re-duce, re-use and re-cycle.

Be honest about what are wants and not real needs. Give preference to using what can be reused or recycled and reduce consumption. Refuse what is wasteful.

4.   Green your meetings.

Apply #1 - 3 to your meeting practices as ways to walk more lightly in harmony with the entire earth family (www.epa.gov/oppt/greenmeetings)

5.   Celebrate the holidays sustainably.

Create your own gifts and consider purchasing from local artisans or earth-friendly products. Center for a New American Dream (www.newdream.org)  includes some family tips.

6.     Join local environmental efforts and visit natural areas.

If you live near an ANCA affiliated nature center (www.natctr.org) , membership is a doorway to discounts at others

7.   Enhance biodiversity and practice conservation. Plant perennial species that are native and adapted to the climate of your region.

The Marianist Environmental Education Center (http://meec.udayton.edu)  has resources on native plants, living sustainably and links to faith-based and ecological resources.

Marianist Sister Leanne Jablonski FMI is a scientist, pastoral minister, and educator.  She directs the Marianist Environmental Education Center and is adjunct faculty of University of Dayton.  She holds a PhD in plant ecology/global climate change, and leads environmental justice programs of the Ecological Society of America, Ohio Council of Churches and Environmental Education Council of Ohio.