Havel Responds

If you don't know about Vaclav Havel that is a pity. The last President of Czechoslovakia and the first president of the Czech Republic, Havel earned his reputation as a political writer and playwright under communism. He spent many years in prison because of his dissidence and for that, he certainly has my respect.

We don't always agree (he supported the Iraqi invasion) but he is consistent in his approach: he vehemently opposes oppression. So when he argues that acting to curb global warming does not jeopardize our civil liberties, I listen.

This recent article in the Herald-Tribune was clearly written in response to Klaus' assertion that the global warming hysteria is a danger to freedom (see post below). In the article he nails a point that I think is being missed in the argument....

Because so much uncertainty still reigns, a great deal of humility and circumspection is called for.

We can't go on endlessly fooling ourselves that nothing is wrong and that we can go on cheerfully pursuing our consumer lifestyles, ignoring the climate threats and postponing a solution. Maybe there is no danger of any major catastrophe in the coming years or decades. Who knows? But that doesn't relieve us of responsibility toward future generations.

I couldn't agree more.

But seriously, read the whole thing. It is short, sweet, and to the point.

And Vaclav Havel is worth your time. He's earned it.