Friday, April 20, 2007

A False Dilemma Between Water and Energy?

A False Dilemma?

This article in the Christian Science Monitor points out the growing concern in the US Southwest about water shortages. While droughts in the desert are nothing new, the concern is that water usage by electric utilities accounts for about 60 percent of all non-farm water usage. In a region that is growing by leaps and bounds this could be a problem. As more people move in, more electricity is demanded, thus more water to produce the electricity is required. But let's not forget that we drink water and bathe in it, wash our cars and water our lawns with it too.

So how do we produce enough electricity to maintain our lifestyles while keeping enough water available to drink, shower, bath and keep all the little animals who also need water happy? Well, if you read my previous post, you will know my opinion. Solar power! The sun provides us very close to free energy. All we have to do is catch it!

2 comments:

Another_viewpoint said...

Issues need to be looked at from as fundamental a position as possible, stepping away from our presuppositions and asking questions at a very fundamental, non-assumptive level. To assume that our foundational assumptions are correct without testing them is to invite disaster as we attempt to fix something that may not be fixable. Here I believe that you're trying to fix a problem by dealing with the results rather than with the basic cause.

The REAL issue here is WHY AREN'T WE GETTING ENOUGH RAIN?. No, insufficient rainfall (and the other end of that effect, severe drought) are not a result of the utterly phony and patently-absurd claims of "global warming" and its effects!! It's our national rebellion against God, and mainly that of those who profess to be followers of and believers in God.

"...the land which you are entering to possess it is a land of hills and valleys, drinking water from the rain of the heavens; a land which Jehovah your God cares for; the eyes of Jehovah your God are always on it from the beginning of the year to the end of the year. And it shall be, if listening you will listen to My commands which I command you today, to love Jehovah your God, and to serve Him with all your heart, and with all your soul, that I will give the rain of your land in its season, the early rain and the latter rain, that you may gather in your grain, and your wine, and your oil. And I will give grass in your fields for your livestock; and you shall eat and be satisfied. Take heed to yourselves, that your heart not be deceived, and you turn aside and serve other gods, and bow down to them; and the anger of Jehovah glow against you, and He shut up the heavens, and there be no rain, and the ground not give her increase, and you perish quickly from off the good land which Jehovah is giving to you. (Deuteronomy 11:11-17 LITV)

So the real issue here is "why is no one seeking God for His answer to WHY HE HAS TURNED OFF OUR RAIN? To attempt to find a solution in any other way is to but INCREASE the wrath of God against us: "...And if after these things you will not listen to Me, then I will chastise you seven times more for your sin; and I will break the pride of your strength, and will make your heavens as iron, and your earth as bronze; and your strength shall be consumed in vain, and your land shall not give her produce, and the tree of the land shall not give its fruit. And if you walk contrary to Me, and are not willing to listen to Me, then I will bring seven times more plagues on you according to your sins..." (Leviticus 26:18-21 LITV)

Since electricity and its usage show no sign whatsoever of wisdom or Godliness in their development, distribution or use, it shouldn't be surprising that the entire system of electrical generation and distribution is causing problems. Whenever we try to insure ourselves against God's attempts to expose our sins to our stubborn hearts, He will increase His wrath sevenfold in an attempt to get our attention and repentance.

Theo V. said...

Hmm....an intersting point indeed. Though I can't quite agree wholeheartedly with the idea that God is not giving us the rain directly because of our sin (as a sort of punishment), I do agree with your Theolgical premise that our sin and rebellion against God is surely destructive. It not only destroys our relationship with our Creator, but also our fellow men and our environment and ecosystem. But this is nothing new. (Genesis Chapter 2)

I do however believe that no matter what your personal assumptions regarding global warming are we are called to be wise stewards of the earth while we are its tenants. And this means that responsible and fair consumption of our resources is in order.

Last I find it interesting that the notion of universal Grace (Christ's death so that the whole world may be saved, John 3:17)is often glanced over. Not to base a whole Theology on one verse...but isn't it possible that while what you have quoted in the Old Testament is true, that the sacrifice of Christ was great enough to cover the redemption of the earth by the hands of those who have been saved by Him?

Just a thought.