Response to Bill McKibben’s “A Call to Arms”

I think that Bill McKibben has expressed exactly what needs to be expressed regarding climate change and the necessity of public action. All too often people consider rallies and protests to be futile in their ability to cause real change, but Bill McKibben emphasizes the responsibility this generation has to a passionate, almost militant rally to combat what is potentially the most threatening crisis to befall humanity. When future generations experience the consequences of climate change they’re going to examine what preemptive actions this generation took and whether or nor we prioritized the life of the planet. This compels us to see it as our obligation to confront the problem and create a sustainable future for our grandchildren. While I do think his point about the lax with which world leaders have gone about addressing climate change is certainly true, we have to remember that to most people and leaders the economy surmounts the environment in importance. Immediate economic problems have to be dealt with as the world is still recovering from a global financial crisis, so of course leaders are preoccupied. Also I am not sure whether the government can take effective action to combat climate change (Solyndra, the government sponsored solar power company failed miserably). The energy industry, that is the fossil fuel industry, is a huge job provider and gives the country the fuel for transportation and the transportation of goods. The alternative energy industry has yet to be proven to the same capacity.  Considering these truths, I do agree with Bill McKibben on the responsibility falling on the public’s shoulders to center the climate change sentiment and take real action. The march in September is a good example of the opportunity to put a foot forward into this issue which may be the hardest step to make, but is also the most important.