Tales of a Solitary Soul

Often times when I meet skeptics of global warming, I am reminded of some of the most frightening stories common to the Bible and the Qur'an: 'It's not too late,' someone assures the people, right as the shadow of disaster begins obscuring his face. When it comes to skeptics of global warming, what is most galling is their indifference to the fate of humanity as a whole.

In the challenge of global warming, we find not only a cause that concerns people regardless of location -- and, increasingly, even wealth, as the comment below suggests -- but a cause that can be the means for the establishment of a true international community, mechanisms of trust, cooperation and transparency that need to be put in place. Unless, of course, a shift away from the weather pattern that largely enabled human civilization is simply something we can shrug off. (We'll send more troops to the Arctic.)

Today's MSNBC reports that ExxonMobil, the world's largest petroleum company, has ceased funding groups skeptical of global warming:

Oil major Exxon Mobil Corp. is engaging in industry talks on possible U.S. greenhouse gas emissions regulations and has stopped funding groups skeptical of global warming claims — a move experts said could indicate a change in stance from the long-time foe of limits on heat-trapping gases.

Exxon, along with representatives from about 20 other companies, is participating in talks sponsored by Washington, D.C., nonprofit Resources for the Future. The think tank said it expected the talks would generate a report in the fall with recommendations to legislators on how to regulate greenhouse emissions.

Boudreux said Exxon in 2006 stopped funding the Competitive Enterprise Institute, a nonprofit advocating limited government regulation, and other groups that have downplayed the risks of greenhouse emissions. Last year, CEI ran advertisements, featuring a little girl playing with a dandelion, that downplayed the risks of carbon dioxide emissions.

Since Democrats won control of Congress in November, heavy industries have been nervously watching which route the United States may take on future regulations of carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases scientists link to global warming. Several lawmakers on Friday were introducing a bill to curb emissions.

Written by Haroon