Reading, Writing and Global Warming

In honor of Earth Day this coming Saturday, a few thoughts of a global nature...

Over the years, parents have dealt with many controversial subjects taught in our children’s schools. In the early 1970s, while I was in grade school, it was “New Math.” As a middle-schooler growing up in the late 1970s it was “Sex Education.” More recently it’s been the debate between “Intelligent Design” and “Evolution.” But leave it to California, home to hippies, Nancy Pelosi and U.C. Berkley to come up with the next educational debate...whether or not global warming should be taught to our children as fact.

Recently, a California state lawmaker proposed a bill which would require "climate change" to be among the science topics all California public school students are taught. The measure, by state Senator Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, also would mandate that future science textbooks approved for California public schools include climate change.

"You can't have a science curriculum that’s relevant and current if it doesn't deal with the science behind climate change," Simitian said. "This is a phenomenon of global importance and our kids ought to understand the science behind that phenomenon."

Nevermind the fact that current understanding, or lack thereof, regarding the science around what some allege is man-made climate change is not clear. What a wonderful way for “progressive” teachers, professors and textbook authors to inject environmental propaganda into the classroom. According to some in the California state legislature, it’s entirely appropriate to teach this unproven scientific theory unaccompanied by science-based discussions and critical analysis of all sides of the debate.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m the first to admit we, being the dominant species on this planet, have an obligation to do everything we can to leave it as we found it—the consequences of not doing so being similar to throwing a huge party at your rental beach house at the Jersey Shore. After the cops leave and the sun comes up, you’re most likely not getting back your rental deposit. Only this ill-advised beach party has more severe consequences for the next tenants, our offspring.

Looking for ways to “green” our energy consumption is all fine and good, but before we ingrain what could be flawed theories into our children, let’s make sure the science is sound and not politically motivated. What is proven is the Earth over its history has been heated and cooled through a myriad of influences such as solar cycles and atmospheric pollution from volcanic ash. Are there direct causes of man-made influences right now? It’s entirely possible. But the level of mankind’s impact still remains to be determined. We can definitely do a better job of cleaning up the planet so we don’t leave a house full of empty beer bottles and puke-stained carpets for our children and grandchildren. Let’s just make sure what we teach them is correct.

I’m still scarred because I was taught there are nine planets in our solar system.   If being told Pluto isn’t really a planet can have such a devastating effect on me now, imagine what learning that Al Gore’s arguments aren’t entirely based on proven science could do to someone’s mental state later in life.

Marc “Wiggy” Kovacs—Presumptuous Plutonian Propagandist