The Environment, folks

If any of you are familiar with E.O. Wilson, the father of sociobiology (and a true renaissance man), you'll know he speaks from a vast knowledge of biology, ecology, and science in general. Well, Prof. Wilson has written a new book, The Creation: An Appeal to Save Life on Earth, in which he points out just how serious the issue of biodiversity (therefore the environment) truly is. The book is written as a series of letters to a Southern Baptist Minister. Wilson was raised a Baptist though he is now a "provisional deist" ("I'm willing to accept the possibility that there is some kind of intelligent force beyond our current understanding"). However, he understands that many Americans are religious and he calls out for the religious and the secular to join forces to tackle the incisive problems our planet is facing. Climate change is of course a major issue as the plethora of evidence shows (for a great NOVA doc on the subject check out "Dimming the Sun"). Along with climate change, E.O. Wilson points out how thanks to humankind the Earth is currently experiencing its 6th Mass Extinction. Biodiversity, which is the source of our lush, rich, and healthy planet, is facing another low point as thousands of species are dying out as humankind expands. Wilson and other scientists like James Hansen (NASA's top Climate Scientist --- who was basically censored by the Bush Admin) have been raising the flag that the environment is in trouble and we must do something. We should be proud that we are getting greener, but a concerted effort needs to be undertaken. Anyway, I hope that our government (as well as the governments of other nations) quickly realizes just how important this matter is.

Okay, that's probably not going to happen with the craptastic Bush Admin. Maybe the next administration will do something, lol. Though I don't really see Congress doing much on this issue either. Guess the environment is going down the toilet.