A number of 1950s science fiction films featured a threat to our planet from Outer Space. We would see flying saucers attacking Paris, London, Moscow, and Washington. Nations that were at odds suddenly would work together to try to repel the attack. The Will Smith movie Independence Day (1996) was a more recent example, and in this year’s The Martian, Chinese technology was essential to bring the American Matt Damon back to earth.
I thought about those movies when I saw today’s headline in the New York Times: “NATIONS APPROVE LANDMARK CLIMATE DEAL.” One hundred and ninety-five countries signed on to an agreement to cut carbon emissions. I understand that some may cheat. I get it that some won’t meet the terms of the agreement.
Nonetheless, 195 nations recognize that here is a problem that calls for a global response. In the year 2050, ISIS will be a small paragraph in history books, if not a footnote. Global warming, on the other hand, will have reached crisis proportions. People will wonder why more wasn’t done, but they will also appreciate that 2015 marked the beginning of a worldwide effort. Hopefully by 2050, the agreement will have had positive results, and the planet will be on a path to healing.
Our grandson will be 44 in 2050.
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