Gorazd's Edge

Gorazd Andrejc

IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change) Report and Eco Skeptics

Although I find it always desirable to hear two or more opinions on a matter, it is very strange to read or hear the global warming skeptics preach their doubt. Of course some estimations can be inaccurate or exaggerated in some cases, but to doubt the whole phenomenon is a willful ignorance for some other motives than search for truth.

Some skeptics would be quick to imply that what the doubt is about is actually a causal connection between human activity and global warming. Although this sounds like a less irrational type of skepticism, it is still extremely problematic for many reasons. As is widely known, the findings of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) on global warming state that the probability that changes in the climate system are a result of man made increases in atmospheric greenhouse gases (GHG) concentrations is "very likely larger than 90%". It is to this claim that the eco-skeptics object, many of them claiming this probability is less than 50%.

Now, of course any government or scientist can be wrong. But even without going into the scientific details of the debate, which convince a vast majority of experts in the world that the influence of human element in global warming is indeed beyond reasonable doubt, one can have very good reasons to disregard the claims of the skeptics. Let me state some of these from a "lay" perspective.

First is a very strong degree of agreement among scientists. The report was revised line-by-line, scrutinized by 600 authors, 620 expert reviewers and 113 governments and their teams, not to mention thousands of other scientists around the world who endorse the claims in it. Studied by some of the finest minds in the world, it was approved by vast number of countries, irrespective of their political ideology, economic development or cultural norms. The report is a definitive review of all the available evidence. So, in this case, the very scope of the consensus is a good argument from the perspective of non-experts.

Second: many governments act against their immediate interest when accepting this report and the actions which are recommended with it. It is a difficult task to change the policies and systems of functioning of society. Praxis on which the very economy of the country is based is the toughest one to tackle. Despite that, governments and their hired experts can not but accept the report of IPCC and many also sign their commitment to the duties it implies.

Third: Even if the report would be wrong on any point, it still definitely makes sense to actually go for the changes in lifestyle and economies in order to lessen enormous human CO2 impact. Even if the threat would not be as immediate as it is (many think it is even too late to do something about the global warming at all), the supposed changes of lifestyle are nothing but good in the long term anyway.

So, why this zeal for skepticism? I strongly suspect (if it is not outright obvious), that in most cases there is a selfish interest and determined unwillingness to change behind the "skepticism" about the claims of the IPCC report. Also, the attractiveness of the conspiracy theories, and a great feeling of being in opposition or a rebel to a mainstream culture or thinking will always be "in". So, even active eco-skepticism should not surprise us.

Slovenia Property - Where to Buy Real Estate in Slovenia?

Perhaps you know it, but here it is again: has been recently named one of the top ten destinations for property investment in the world. British Channel 4 has predicted more than 280% rise in property worth over the next ten years! It has never been better time to invest in Slovenian real estate than is now. 

Even before deciding to buy property in one needs to consider many things. First, one has to be clear why one wants to buy a property in . It of course makes a difference whether it is a matter of pure investment or a one has a plan to live there anytime in the future. When deciding where to buy these considerations are naturally the most important.

So after you are clear on that, you can start considering different regions or towns in and compare the situation with your needs. The capital is for most investors the most obvious place to buy property. This is because of the great investment potential which the city offers, although the prices are the highest there (be sure to compare the prices on the pages of real estate agents of course). Some investors are already taking advantage of growth rates of 30% and more per annum. real estate is in high demand which exceeds the limited supply. Moreover, rents in are also highest in the country.

After the capital, the coastal region of Primorska and the mountain district of Gorenjska are the next most expensive places to buy real estate in . Both include some of the most visited tourist destinations (e.g. Bled and Bohinj in Gorenjska and Portoroz and Piran on the seacoast) which offer an opportunity of a solid rental income. Another good thing is that both regions are within an hour drive from

But climatically, culturally and otherwise, these two are indeed quite different places. Gorenjska is snowy and usually very cold through the winter, full of favourite Slovenian ski destinations. The coast, on the other hand, is a typical Mediterranean area with almost no snow and of course a natural choice for summer holidays for many. People of Gorenjska are regarded to be a bit more closed to themselves, whereas people from the Coast are open (to make it oversimplified, but you get a feeling of this when you experience people there in an everyday life). 

There are quite different and less busy parts of on the eastern and south-eastern side of , in the regions like Stajerska, Pomurje, Dolenjska and Notranjska. The prices of real estate in these regions are lower, sometimes considerably. On the other hand, apart from the cities like or Celje (2^nd and 3^rd largest after ), these regions do not have so high rent prices and also the demand (for renting at least) is not as great as in and near . Yet, buying a home in one of these areas has several other advantages than just a lower price. Tempo of living is not at such a stressful level as in , tourism is much lower (if present at all) and people are frequently described as more friendly in these regions (although Slovenians are highly friendly in general).

A Decision on where to buy property in Slovenia has to be governed by a clear picture of what you actually want. So, dependant on your preferences, you really have several options.

Christians and Environment – Can Christian Beliefs Inspire a Believer to Help Saving the Planet?

Among Christians one can find very different attitudes towards environment and global warming problem. There are of course Christians who simply do not care and do not see any real connection between their religion and the idea to save the planet. Religion is about saving humanity, spiritually speaking, not the planet, right? Before moving to the answer to this question, let's have a quick look at another, even less eco-friendly Christian attitude.

Many Christians (evangelicals) believe in the second coming of Christ, but some of them believe that Christ's second coming is imminent, that it will happen very soon. Majority of those in this second subgroup also point to global warming phenomenon as a sign before Christ's coming – a prime example of such a sign actually! Such interpretation of the prophecy also includes the claim that we really can't do anything in this matter to make things better. The belief, that Christ will come very soon and that global warming is an important sign of His coming, naturally leads to the belief that there is no point in "saving the planet". Not only will this planet burn in destruction in a very near future, but you are actually working against the prophecy (and so against God) if you are trying to save the planet. Not to mention the peril of wasting your time and energy you should use for other more important things to do. The comment of the late evangelical leader Jerry Falwell, that "the myth" of global warming is a "Satan's attempt to redirect the church's primary focus" is just one expression of such a position.

Even if these beliefs are not so explicit and widespread, and despite the change of mood in the environmental issues among the evangelical leaders in the in last couple of years, there is still a general feel of relative passivity in relation to the environmental issues among many evangelical and also other Christians. In the internet and in other media you will much more likely find new-age believers and atheist defending the green attitude. Why? Majority of new-age belief-systems include belief in (equal) sanctity of all life, a belief in Gaia Mother Earth, and similar. These beliefs inspire new-agers to action. Atheists on the other hand believe that this world, however bad and imperfect, is the only world we have. So whatever we feel, we better do something about it or we will simply cease to exist as a race! If there is no afterlife you naturally have a very strong motivation to preserve this life and this world. 

So, what about Christian beliefs and environmental concern? Are Christian beliefs actually a disadvantage for someone who wants to take eco-friendly attitude? Not necessarily. This of course mainly depends on one's choice of Christian theology. Which biblical messages are more, and which are less important and relevant today? Such hermeneutical decisions, for Christians who take Bible more seriously, guide their ethical priorities and lead to decisions. 

There is an important difference between focusing mainly on the texts where God threatens to destroy the earth because of the sins of humans (e.g. "I, the Lord, now promise to destroy everything on this earth"(Zep 1,2)) and on the other hand focusing on the threats that He will destroy the destroyers of the earth ("It is time to destroy everyone who has destroyed the earth." Rev 11,8). Also, the responsibility towards the whole of mankind, which is for majority the single most important reason why we should care about the environment at all, is present in the biblical idea of the first human couple and the human race as a big family (whether Adam and Eve are literal or a symbolic doesn't matter here, the very idea of the human family is what counts). Yet another positive route to environmental ethics in Christian theology is praising the inherent value and beauty of Creation, which definitely doesn't lack in the Bible (Gen 1:31, Ps 104, Rom 1:20, etc.). Most of these positive reasons for environmental concern are of course present also in Judaism and can be found in Islam too. 

So, there are many starting points for a Christian believer when deciding why to take environmental issues seriously. Christianity need not be eco-unfriendly at all.

To read more, discuss, comment or just browse on related issues, visit my blog " of Life - An Ordinary Person's Guide": http://eco-friendly-lifestyle.blogspot.com It is intended for people with other occupations and interests who are not necessarily experts in environmentalism, to discuss and find motivation for lifestyle changes connected to environmental issues.

• Previous Posts:

• IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change) Report and Eco Skeptics
• Slovenia Property - Where to Buy Real Estate in Slovenia?
• Christians and Environment – Can Christian Beliefs Inspire a Believer to Help Saving the Planet?
• Eco Friendly Lifestyle – How to Make Ethical Decisions in Environmental Issues

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