Being Good Stewards

As a liberal arts graduate, I have little hope of wrapping my brain around the science of global warming. I am not equipped to really evaluate complex and conflicting reports of how much, how quickly and why global warming is occurring.

I do, however, know one thing for sure: Human beings, including and especially Americans, are not very good stewards of the earth.

Regardless of whether we have any control over global warming, we've got to make changes. Governments, businesses, organizations, and individuals all need to pay more attention to long-term priorities (preserving our natural resources) instead of routinely succumbing to short-term priorities (ease, bottom line, re-election, etc.).

I just came across what I believe is one of the most important ideas Thomas Friedman puts forth in his book The World Is Flat. On page 368 (in the 2006 updated and expanded edition) he talks about how Kennedy's push to put an American on the moon was not just about a space race, but more importantly about a science race and ultimately an education race. Having the vision of a moon landing enabled our country to buckle down and achieve a large-scale push in science and engineering, which is something we need to do again if we hope to achieve continued economic success in a flattening world.

Friedman continues (and stick with me, this is worth it!), "If President Bush is looking for a similar legacy project, there is one just crying out--a national science initiative that would be our generation's moon shot: a crash program for alternative energy and conservation to make America energy-independent in ten years. If President Bush made energy independence his moon shot, in one fell swoop he would dry up revenue for terrorism, force Iran, Russia, Venezuela, and Saudi Arabia onto the path of reform--which they will never do with a $60-a-barrel oil--strengthen the dollar, and improve his standing in Europe by doing something huge to reduce global warming. He would also create a real magnet to inspire young people to contribute to both the war on terrorism and America's future by again becoming scientists, engineers and mathematicians. 'This is not just a win-win,' said Michael Mandelbaum [a John Hopkins foreign policy expert], 'This is a win-win-win-win-win.'"

And not only all that, Mr. Friedman, it's simply the right thing to do.