In the last couple of years, the attempt to define and stop global warming has covered the attention of the media and many notable figures that seem to be leading the charge on what is sometimes called "the most serious problem of our times". And although global warming may be affected by mankind and may even pose a serious threat, I doubt that it holds credence as "the most serious of our problems". Even so, in the minds of many it is the most serious of problems and much is being done by some to sound the alarm, but even then, I feel that the attention given by celebrities like Crow, Gore, and others is disingenuous and insincere. The point of this article is not to persuade the reader about the realities of global warming or anything dealing with warming in general; this article merely aims to recognize that even with the thousands of dollars that many celebrities try to put on the face of this issue, their efforts are aimed at more egotistical roots than the actual issue at hand.
Lately I, a citizen and consumer, have been told that my role in the warming debacle is to use incandescent light bulbs, drive an eco-car or a bicycle, and use less toilet paper on my already government regulated low-flush toilet. Cheryl Crow and Al Gore attempt to lure my compliance while traveling around the country making a name for themselves, trying to convince me that somehow my focus on better fuel efficiency should be environmentally driven rather than economically driven. And I, as a good citizen, attempt to do my part until it interferes with necessity or economics – two principles that are difficult for me to concede. However, for me the decision isn’t difficult...see, I don’t think that global warming is the most serious problem of our times. What strikes me as insincere though, is that these celebrities dictate how I, as a good citizen should live my life and forgo convenience when they are unwilling to forgo theirs, even though they are the ones that believe in the seriousness of the problem. I truly believe that you can see into a person’s heart by looking at their checkbook and their calendar. If the measure of a person’s dedication to an issue is measured by the amount of money that one spends on solutions to the issue, I see a large disparity between the actual and perceived care for warming issues by celebrities who would attempt to convince you otherwise. I could be swayed by Crow and Gore of their concern by an effort to give a substantial amount of money or convenience that would be measured by percentages instead of dollars – but right now the eco-busses, light bulbs, offsets, and other pittances given to the issue leads me to the conclusion that I stated above, that it is a disingenuous front, aimed more at the attention it receives than the concern for the problem.
I will continue to do my part, however big of effect that it makes - but I will know that in doing a little, I have given more of myself than other who are perceived to do a lot.