Passage 1
The debate about global warming is about the outcome of a gamble. We are betting that the benefits of our industrial and agricultural activities--increasing standards of living for the rich and poor alike --will outweigh possible adverse consequences of an unfortunate by product of our activities, an increase in the atmospheric concentration of green house gases that could lead to global warming and global climate changes. Some experts are warning that we are making poor bets, that global warming has started and that disasters are imminent.
Others assure that the chances of global warming are so remote that outcome of our wager will dedinely be in our favor. The impasse is disquieting because the issue is of vial importance to us; it concerns the habitability of our planet. How long will it be before it is imperative that we take action?