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When TV Was Actually Informative about Reality: Now "Reality TV" has little to do with "reality." Science was big news in the 50s and 60s, attracting film giants like Frank Capra (yes, that Academy Award winning Frank Capra) to produce four films for Bell Science Films featuring educator and science host Frank Baxter ("Dr. Research"). Not only were these films informative but also prescient to today's climate crisis.
“Man may be unwittingly changing the world's climate through the waste products of his civilization,” warned Dr. Research. “Due to our release through factories and automobiles every year of more than 6 billion tons of carbon dioxide, which helps air absorb heat from the sun, our atmosphere seems to be getting warmer." Every year there have been sterner warnings as the science became ever more clear. Pope Francis explored Climate affects on The World's Poor: In 2015, U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon brought all of his U.N. program leaders to the Vatican to meet Pope Francis. These two global institutions are showing their muscle on a topic that they both believe threaten their greatest interest, the welfare of life on planet Earth; and, a sustainable and prosperous future. Pope Francis expressed Papal concern that degradation was already impacting the poor. On June 18th, 2015, Pope Francis delivered a Papal encyclical teaching the impacts of climate change upon the world's poor. This is thought to be a major milestone, placing the Vatican at the forefront of a new coalition between the church and science. Pope Francis holds a Master's degree in Chemistry, and is the first Jesuit Pope. The Jesuits emphasize missionary work and education.
The Blue Marble Report goes To Mt. Si High School:
The Editor of the BMR has been the keynote presenter on Earth Day at Mt. Si High School for eight years. The entire Junior and Senior student body take their regular science period to participate in a discussion of climate change and sustainability. This year the focus was on "Planetary Boundaries." Climate Change is already happening. Global warming and subsequent changes in the climate are taught in science classes around the nation. Students often know more about the science than their parents. The inaction by parents and leaders scares them, and it should. Students wanted to know how they could get involved in getting the message out. Students want older generations to pay attention. Their children will pay the price of adult inaction to prevent permanent and irreparable damage to the planet. The window of opportunity is nearly shut. The photo (left) shows the first of 6 classes held throughout the annual Earth Day event. Photo credit: Doug Smith |
SOCIAL
The social, environmental and economic components of civilization form the three pillars of sustainable development. At present the economy ignores the necessity of the other two. That must change. You cannot consume your way out of growing scarcity.
