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Many theologians,
including Pope Francis, have taken the position that the
planet is in danger because of carbon dioxide input to the
atmosphere caused by burning fossil fuel, urge us to stop,
and consider it a moral imperative. This article takes the
position that this use of fossil fuel has helped
civilization advance worldwide, has alleviated abject
poverty for billions, and that there is no substitute for it
at this time. Thus there is a strong moral component on this
side of the argument as well. This paper reviews a great
deal of worldwide data, some of which confirms, some of
which disputes the global warming hypothesis. While
increasing CO2 in the atmosphere is a concern, it is hardly
a planetary emergency. This essay argues that it is treated
as such by some because of a new set of at modern day
‘prophets’ who demand instant action, claiming they have
access to knowledge that ordinary people cannot have. But
unlike their biblical predecessors, these ‘prophets’ have no
direct pipeline to God. This essay compares these global
warming arguments to two other important events in American
history, the Salem witchcraft trials, and the prosecution of
preschool teachers for child sexual abuse. It argues that in
all three cases, a belief in human sin, this sin only
discerned by modern day ‘prophets’, motivates all three
arguments. This can lead to panicked action, which can be
extraordinarily harmful.
Keywords: climate-energy-theology connection, climate-energy
dilemma, energy for civilization, global warming skeptics,
global warming believers
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