David, nor did I intend to make more of the Paris Climate Accord than it warrants. It is merely the "topic du jour" which is making the rounds of the media and internet at the moment.
As far as actual changes in the climate are concerned... I am more inclined to call it for what it is: weather. It changes, sometimes more than other times, but I simply don't buy the hyperbole about a catastrophic change happening right now.
I agree with you, that people do cause some changes in climate. Exactly how much is "man made" and, moreover, how much control we might have in that change, is not clear. Nor is it being addressed in a calm and studied manner. Lots of noise, very little content.
The above comments do relate to your concern about social changes. It is one example of those changes and of the people who are trying to sway people to their point of view (I'm doing that too...).
You and I are of similar ages (We're Old Dude
) and have some life experience to use in viewing where society is going. A few decades ago, I would have been hyperventilating and more anxious about what is happening.
Frankly, I won't let the current social situation (however you want to define that) cause me to lose sight of my core beliefs. Yes, things are changing, even in a bad way, but I'll plan on surviving first, and then acting to restore things to a more stable and enjoyable situation.
No, I'm not deluding myself that I will have a major impact, but within my sphere of influence. I will do what is needed to stay sane and keep others around me from acting badly...
With respect to the three charts in your last post, I've seen these on other fora. While there is some disagreement on the accuracy, I do accept that there have been climate cycles in our planets history. This is, after all, one of the changes for which we prep.
With respect to the changes you note in the "heart and mind" of this country, do you remember the 60's? I was an impressionable college student then and my recollection was that we were going to "hell in a hand basket" as the saying goes. I can stand back now and see how we (our country) has changed since then. It goes in cycles...
Right now, in this country, there are several political and social movements, some I approve, some I don't and some I frankly don't believe are real (but the media would like me to believe it). As I said above, I'm not getting overly concerned about these changes because I see them as self-correcting. The "correction" phase might not be pleasant and history shows us how unpleasant it can become, but I plan on making it through, ready for the next tide of change.
David, if I could say one thing to put things in perspective, it would be "don't sweat the small stuff". We've been here before, it will happen again. The key (for me) is to survive with all or most of my friends.