Mention the words Climate Change in most gatherings and everyone has an opinion. Furthermore they want to express their various opinions with enthusiasm, often frustration, or dare I say, even aggression. It is a topic that stirs up the passion, and sometimes ire, in most people.
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Look at any environmentally focussed post on social media and the passion of extreme and opposing opinions are even stronger. There is little doubt that Climate Change is a hot topic. It's a topic that can be polarising.
Surely, regardless of the science, political preference or personal opinion - the concept of valuing your environment and its protection for future generations is at the heart of everyone's concern?
Do we not all like to breath clean air? Don't we all love a beautiful natural scene? Who doesn't enjoy a walk along a clean beach, river bank or bush track? Doesn't the thought of a swim in fresh, clean water on a warm summer day sound inviting? Isn't the idea of planting trees and creating or even soaking up the appeal of beautiful gardens a source of joy and inspiration?
On the flip side, who isn't saddened, even devastated, to see those images of rubbish floating on the ocean or rubbish left behind on the beach, in parks and reserves or on the side of the highway? Don't those images of animals being choked by nets, drink carton rings and the casing of six packs, break your heart? Are you not left feeling breathless or unwell by the smell of fumes - often from the wrong products being burnt in a fireplace or bonfire - or toxic chemicals used for cleaning?
Quite frankly those who have decided they don't believe in climate change are entitled to their opinion. But isn't the choice to live in an environment that is clean, green and safe for all living creatures a tangible and acceptable concept to be embraced by all?
We all like to live in clean, fresh, safe houses; surely we want the same in our broader environment? And for the Climate Change naysayers - what have you lost by getting on board with these basic, positive approaches?