Ever since I was a kid, I have been an advocate for plants, animals and nature. I have always been more impressed by nature's works than by anything mankind has done. As a Mormon, I was taught to respect life in all its forms and to esteem God's creations as his gifts to his children.

I have long thought that if the world is destined to be consumed by fire, as most Christians believe, then the concept of global warming, along with nuclear armaments, rivers that catch fire because of pollution, the depletion of the ozone layer that causes increased exposure to ultraviolet light, oil-field fires, forest fires, volcanic activity, meteor showers and all other incendiary acts of man and nature would be the perfect ways to bring about an apocalyptic conflagration capable of destroying the planet. Perhaps that is the plan.

But is it God's will that the Earth meets this fate?

I believe that Armageddon will come about as the result of our own greed and ignorance and our indifference to God's creations. There will be no apple and no serpent, just mankind's unwillingness to recognize his own weakness in the face of truth.

It concerns me when people believe so fervently in the literal interpretation of scripture that they are willing to hasten the process of destruction in order to fulfill prophecy, as though they themselves are avenging angels on a mission. I have heard Mormons claim that it doesn't matter what we do to the Earth because the Savior will come and fix it all anyway. This is the most abhorrent abdication of personal responsibility I have ever heard.

If I destroy my apartment because the landlord will come and fix it, does that make it OK? It's true, he will fix it, but before he does, he will evict me, sue me for damages and refuse to recommend me as a tenant when someone else inquires about me.

So I believe it is with God. We will all account for our actions against his creations. We may even pay for the damage we have done to the Earth by being denied the privilege to dwell in a world that has been renewed to its paradisiacal glory.

Some believe that the recent increase in natural disasters is the Earth's way of trying to shake us off like a dog shakes off fleas. It's a good theory, and according to doctrine, the Earth will eventually succeed.

Even a bird doesn't defecate in its own nest. But humans have no qualms about fouling their only planet. The climate ship has sailed, and the fat lady has sung. The debate about global climate change is over. If we consider the irreparable damage that humans have inflicted upon the planet, it stands to reason that man is largely responsible for altering the climate, primarily at the onset of the industrial revolution and as a result of unprecedented population growth and the subsequent depletion of natural resources, especially by wealthy, industrialized nations like ours.

A supermajority of reputable climate scientists and most of the world's developed nations agree that something needs to be done to prevent mankind's further destruction of this great garden called Earth. Mother Nature is not the enemy; we are. And we need to take responsibility and do something about it before it's too late.

Dave Jensen is a freelance writer who specializes in environmental issues and a regular contributor to the Readers' Forum.