By Marvin H. Berenson, M.D.

October 21, 2011

Does it matter how much man has contributed to the global warming crisis or how much comes from the cycles of nature? No doubt remains among the vast majority of the world’s scientists that man has been a major factor in causing our climate change. But what matters now is how to stop the rising temperature. Very little time remains before that point of no return has passed. Some believe it may have already passed. What matters is directing all our energy to that part of global warming that we, man, has made and that we can still influence.

No longer can there be doubt that climate warming is upon us and the temperatures are accelerating at a rate beyond anything ever known. The rise has coincided step by step with the beginning of the Industrial Revolution as more and more fossil fuels were burned.  Can there be any doubt? Not only have scientists seen and feared what they knew was happening but we only need to look out and it is there for all to see. The proofs of climate change are everywhere.

Scientists have checked and rechecked  and found evidence and produced  replication. Those who doubt have become blinded by some unknown force that can’t be comprehended. But the world’s peoples must see and not be swayed by the deniers. The world’s people must support what must be done. Global warming is no myth. Widespread changes in weather conditions are not happenstance. The warming atmosphere and ocean, the acidification of the oceans, the pollutions of our waters, floods, more intense hurricanes, worldwide smog and the damage to our lands from the byproducts of carbon use are real.

The scientific evidence is there and it must be heeded. To close our eyes in this final hour left before the acceleration intensifies and pollution beyond our control overwhelms our land can no longer be countenanced.  No country stands alone here. Every country will suffer and suffer beyond belief.  Not only will weather change but society will change.  As water becomes scarce countries will fight to gain water rights. Decreasing food supplies will cause starvation and wreak havoc on the world. New viruses will sweep over us and bring decimation to the population.. Forests will succumb to the wildfires that will spread throughout the world.

It will be hot, hotter than we ever remembered. What were occasional heat waves will become the norm. Floods will appear sporadically over much of the world. Ceaseless rain will make normal commerce impossible. And in other areas an endless drought will bring irreparable damage to much of society. And what of the worlds’ oceans? Acidification will strike down the beauty of all our corals and the remaining fish will dwindle and the fish that live will be come more and more contaminated.

And our social state, the peace that we know, will disappear and violence will grip the world in a frenzy of anger, starvation and thirst. The conscience of the world will vanish as people will go for the throat to preserve their lives. The irrationality of the world will rise and a time may appear when it will have no bounds at all. For by then what seems to be irrational would have become the way of life and people will suffer and turn against their neighbors and many will die.

Can this really happen? Is such a scenario possible?  How frightening it is to contemplate, but unless global warming is stopped our future will be like none ever experienced. Everyone’s child, rich and poor, black and white, red and yellow, will taste the impact. No wall will stop the rising waters. No amount of money will prevent the ravages of an untamed society from casting spears at those picked for blame.

Can we stop global warming in time to prevent such a future?

For those deeply concerned for the future of our planet, read "Rescue," a novel that focuses on the increasing dangers to earth as global warming and worldwide pollution sweep the world. It offers solutions to the immense crisis that faces us.

Visit http://www.DrMarvinBerenson.com. to review “Rescue” and sign-up to receive Dr. Berenson’s highly informative biweekly newsletter and two FREE gifts.

Marvin H. Berenson, M.D. is Clinical Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry, USC Keck School of Medicine, psychiatrist, lecturer, author and artist.