A Different Thanksgiving Perspective
This Thanksgiving, perhaps we should reflect a bit on global warming and the role of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. It’s a somewhat controversial thought, I know. Many global leaders and their media allies insist these aspects herald catastrophe. Yet, maybe a healthier perspective leads us in the opposite direction.
It’s interesting to note that 50 years ago, the narrative was quite different. Back in the 1970s, mainstream news outlets were warning of an impending ice age. Some experts even pushed for immediate measures to stop the Earth from descending into widespread freeze.
Abundance, as we see it today, wasn’t simply a stroke of luck. It reflects a climate far more favorable than what earlier generations endured, alongside a modern economy reliant on the energies that support global agriculture.
Historically, worries about cold weather were somewhat justified. Unlike the speculative models of today, past civilizations indeed faced tangible crises due to cold. The Little Ice Age, lasting roughly from 1300 to 1850, inflicted centuries of persistent chill. Accounts from that time describe failing agricultural systems that led to withered crops and a drastic reduction in the growing season, resulting in widespread starvation. Ice blocked the River Thames, and frost fairs emerged as a peculiar tradition amid the harshness, throwing entire regions into poverty and disorder.
Those who lived during those cold centuries would likely have welcomed the warmth we now take for granted.
Modern-day Americans seldom think about this history while preparing Thanksgiving meals that draw on ingredients from every corner of the globe. Our culinary bounty depends largely on intricate supply chains grounded in a simple truth: plants thrive in warmth, not in cold.
The Role of Warmth in Civilization
Warm climates have consistently paralleled human success. During both the Roman Warm Period and the Medieval Warm Period, farmers cultivated crops in regions we now consider too chilly. So, rising temperatures didn’t spell disaster; they fostered agricultural growth and societal prosperity.
Interestingly, this trend continues today. Since the late 20th century, the Earth has been subtly experiencing a green upsurge. Satellite observations reveal an expansion of vegetation, particularly in dry areas, driven by two main factors: increased carbon dioxide and a slight rise in global temperatures.
Contrary to popular belief, CO2 isn’t a harmful substance. Instead, it serves as nourishment for plants and acts as a key player in photosynthesis. Elevated levels enable crops to utilize water more effectively and grow sturdier. It’s an improvement in environmental conditions that’s perhaps one of the great stories of our time—though you won’t find much emphasis on that in the media.
Moreover, modern fertilizers, primarily derived from natural gas, play a crucial role in this. High-yield crops require nitrogen, which synthetic fertilizers provide.
In fact, energy-rich fuels—coal, oil, and natural gas—power virtually every aspect of contemporary agriculture. They drive irrigation systems, fertilizer production, harvest machinery, transportation, and refrigeration. Eliminate these energy sources, and the global food system faces severe breakdowns. A return to famine is not just a possibility; it’s a likelihood.
A Simple Truth
Concerns about climate change often center on the idea that warming will undermine food security. Yet, the reality doesn’t support that fear. Over the past forty years, the output of staple foods like wheat, corn, and rice has surged. Most food scarcity issues we face today are tied to conflict and poor governance, not climate-related factors.
Climate, by its nature, is always evolving. Great droughts, floods, and temperature extremes have occurred countless times throughout history. To view any unusual weather phenomenon as a sign of imminent disaster overlooks a vast history of natural fluctuation.
As families gather around the Thanksgiving table, remember this simple reality: our festive spread is heavily reliant on warmth, carbon dioxide, and affordable energy that transports food from farm to table.
This abundance isn’t a mere coincidence. It signifies a climate more forgiving than that of our ancestors and an economy fueled by the very sources that enable global agriculture.
