Clive Bibby: The Aspirational Element

It would seem like stating the obvious when identifying one human characteristic that sets individuals apart from their contemporaries.

We can talk about “courage, natural sports talent, above average IQ or abnormal leadership qualities” - to name but a few.

However, most of those natural abilities are either inherited from parents or are as a result of above average nurturing during the juvenile years when we began to focus on future careers - some would call it obsessive, parental control.

Fortunately, the best scientific breakthroughs occur when individuals with above average intellect stumble upon discoveries in the natural world that enable us to take another giant step on the pathway to a utopian existence.

Sometimes, these breakthroughs only build on what is already known but any new scientific discovery is, in itself, usually good news for mankind as a whole.

But discoveries themselves - no matter how much of a “game changer” they appear to be for the way we live our lives - can only contribute so much to human progress.

The missing ingredient is too often the ability and aspirational desire to make things happen that will benefit us all. It is the most selfless act rated just below the ultimate sacrifice during times of war.

Mind you, it is not a given that any scientific examination of natural events that can be catastrophic will ultimately provide the answers to our questions about its origin.

And even aspirational scientists can add little to the sum of human knowledge when advocating false doctrines as the basis for their investigations.

The current debate about the origins of global warming (Climate Change) has done a massive disservice to humanity and yet we still see some world scientific leaders (IPCC and Others) peddling their false narrative in spite of their predictions of doom being proved wrong after being overtaken by time.

These discredited former “truths” might be something we could just ignore as the new evidence suggest the earlier studies were based on none recurring data.

It seemed an accurate description of where things were heading at the time but no longer so.

Unfortunately, the best type of scientific endeavour are the investigations where the principal researchers remain sceptical until their findings are proven beyond reasonable doubt.

While there is no question that Climate Change is happening and the frequency, intensity of adverse climate events are becoming more common place, that in itself doesn’t prove that global warming is a result of increased man-made carbon emissions in the atmosphere.

I say that because history proves we have been here before.

In fact it is the scientists who deny that current global warming is part of a cycle where the planet either heats up or cools down due to some natural re-occurring phenomenon. It doesn’t mean each new cycle will be an exact repeat of the last.

For example, approx 600 yrs ago, the Thames froze over and yet parts of the Arctic Tundra had little snow at all. Global warming, such as it was then, was occurring in isolated parts of the planet

Of course, today the opposite appears to be true. It is happening all over the planet.

Another naturally occurring phenomenon is the Earth’s distance from the Sun.

For my money, it just seems logical that the closer the Earth gets to the Sun, the more likely our planet will experience higher average temperatures and the occupants of our world ( humans, animals, fish and birds will have to adapt - which they do.

And why should this matter at all if we are simply backing the wrong horse?

Surely , sooner or later, the world authorities will be forced to abandon these false doctrines as the research based on a more likely premise proves them wrong.

In the meantime, the most likely outcome is that greater numbers of sovereign states abandon the UN led IPCC membership, not so much because they have lost faith in the research but more because membership is longer affordable.

There is a lesson here for all of us.

Scientific research and those who undertake it are the most important contributors to a world in harmony with itself.

But the research itself will be worthless if it is not undertaken by men and women who aspire to promote the truth - no matter the consequences to their own personal standing in society.

Unfortunately, human nature being what it is, that type of person is very hard to find. Maybe we should be looking in areas where freedom of expression is a valued commodity- not one controlled by other less competent mortals.

Science should provide the lifeblood for development of the human race but petty jealousies are too often the handbrake on discoveries that are there for the taking The survival of the human race will depend on our ability to make the right choices by promoting people with genuine ability and integrity to positions of authority ensuring the truth will out.

Clive Bibby is a commentator, consultant, farmer and community leader, who lives in Tolaga Bay.