I Believe in a Thing Called...
Today, I want to talk about standing up for what you believe.
I have sat back and watched friends post about fracking for months now, and I think it's great that they believe in something. So I just wanted to talk about how they can really support what they believe in. How anyone can fight for their cause, regardless of what it is. I'm only using fracking as an example, because it has been splattered allover facebook and I have done research regarding fracking for about a year.
1. KNOW THE PROS AND CONS. You will never be able to have an intelligent conversation about your cause unless you know both sides. You will find that there is always gray area (something I learned from my sister recently). Seeing things as black and white is great...until you refuse to listen to the white side, because you only believe in the black. This causes contention, and absolutely no one benefits from contention.
Below is a very simple (I broke down the science... a lot) Pros and Cons Chart that I put together for fracking:
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Pros
of Fracking
|
Cons
of Fracking (general)
|
Creates induced fractures (basically
decreasing time of naturally occurring geologic cycle)
|
Use chemicals to sweep natural gas and
petroleum
|
We can drive our cars and heat our
homes
|
Chemicals may contaminate ground water
|
The chances of being able to run the
world or nation solely on alternative energy forms is very slim
|
Bad chemicals: Pb, Ur, HCl, Rh, Hg
|
In most cases, the groundwater is not
contaminated
|
Increasing global warming
|
Research is looking for ways to sequester
the bad chemicals or not use bad chemicals as a sweeping agent
|
We should spend money on alternative
energy instead of focusing on a declining resource
|
And one of the big things regarding gray areas: natural gas, petroleum, solar, and hydrogen power are all renewable energy sources. The geologic cycle just takes longer and people are decreasing the chances for renewable petroleum sources (for example, dredging the sand on our beaches).
2. LISTEN. This goes along with number one, but you can't just shut someone out of your life for believing in something else. You're going to find that you will stand alone in the world, and being alone is no fun. If you listen to people, then they will be more willing to listen to you. And what's even cooler...Both people will probably learn something and become stronger in their cause.
3. DON'T GET DEFENSIVE. Most of these relate to each other, but when you get defensive of your cause, contention arises. And let's be honest, you come across as sounding stupid. Don't get offended by someone (even if they are being defensive). Be the strong one. Be the kind one. This is how hearts are changed. You may never see eye to eye, but I can almost guarantee that the person who got defensive will reflect back on their day trying to imagine of ways to make their case stronger. And the conclusion they will come to, is to refrain from being so defensive that the conversation was stunted.
4. DO WHAT YOU BELIEVE OR APPRECIATE WHAT YOU HAVE. I think it's great that people take a stand and go to protests. Many of our rights as citizens wouldn't exist if we didn't take a stand. A few examples, would women be voting if we didn't protest and truly believe in it? Would a vegetarian be a vegetarian if they ate meat? Same with a vegans...if they ate animal bi-products, what would that say about their cause? What about using reusable shopping bags, so that we don't waste plastic?
If you choose a cause, the best way to support is to refrain from using its products or to use products that show your support. This is probably what has annoyed me the most about fracking. If you really hate it, then stop using its products. Stop heating your home with natural gas. Stop using gas powered vehicles. Stop eating at restaurants that use natural gas heating. Yeah, yeah...easier said than done right? Well, I feel like you're being a hypocrite by showing up to these protests saying "NO FRACKING!" and then getting into your car to drive home. If it's that horrible that you voice your opinion regarding it, why do you still use its products? Almost all of the things we do relate to fracking or drilling in some way. If there is no way for you to stop using it, then can you at least be thankful for what you have so far?
Maybe this will create some gray area and decrease contention. You could start your conversations with "I know that we don't have the means right now, and I'm thankful I can do these things, but someday I hope we can stop using these mechanisms because..." Contention gone. Conversation started. Hearts opened.
In conclusion, I hope that this means something to you, and that we can all take a breather and not step blindly into something we know very little about. I have seen so much contention over these issues. I just wanted to get the issue off my chest and hopefully clear my mind for a better environment to talk about people's beliefs. I do not mean any offense by this, and I hope that I have not caused any, because I really do love when people stand up for what they believe. I just am more likely to believe them when they treat their cause with respect.
P.S. My opinion of fracking: I think it is wonderful and we can get more petroleum and natural gas than we have before (especially using horizontal fracking). However, there are chances of groundwater contamination, which is very serious. But I don't think that is a problem with fracking. I think it is a problem with the company. I think it would be great to create protection laws on how the company approaches fracking as opposed to getting rid of it all together. Groundwater contamination is easily avoidable and there is research being done right now on how to sequester CO2 (a common sweeping agent) so that it does not impact the environment and "increase" global warming. However, from a scientific perspective, I recommend that people learn about Milankovitch cycles. And I won't go into any more detail, because I could talk for hours on this topic.
