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According to this webpage, today's topic looks like a fine, albeit not terribly important, subject to discuss. And Kezel Levine is certainly an enjoyable person to hear on the radio.

However, I have been deeply disturbed by the way today's program has been promoted on the radio -- w/ references to the possible "benefits of global warming/climate change to the region", as if we are not losing anything, but simply gaining the ability to grow more and to do more here.

But even in the realm of gardening and plant life alone, the Portland area might be losing the very qualities that have most characterized our area. Our lush, green growth, including our wild ferns, might just be replaced by the sort of scruffy plant life and dry terrain we have previously associated with places like Bend, or even Ashland.

But more importantly, I believe that the "hidden benefits of climate change" angle is profoundly irresponsible. I cannot imagine that OPB would produce shows or promote shows around themes like "how racism and a culture of white supremacy actually provide hidden benefits for all Oregonians" or "how 'man-boy' love actually helps youngsters" or "how species extinctions actually improves our lives" or "how AIDS helps the world by reducing population and spurring medical progress." Well, you probably get my point.

And if you do not get my point, then, at least when it comes to global warming (or climate change), you simply do not know what you're talking about. Because any responsible and informed discussion on this topic must confront the fact that the status quo is leading us toward a global catastrophe that could threaten the existence of human civilization itself.

If we do not cut our greenhouse gas emissions by about 80% in the next 40-50 years, then the current climate change might spiral out of control, becoming unstoppable, and continuing to accelerate.

This is not the time for us to be sticking our heads in the dirt.

Sincerely,
Steve

posted 5 years, 1 month ago
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