Who cares we will all be long dead before climate change real or not would do any real damage. It's pointless to worry about in our lifetime.
yes, i agree we will be long dead before the earth ends. But, it is not pointless to worry about climate changing in our lifetime or any life span at that matter. Do you condemn a healthy and stabilized planet for the future generations ? While weβre still alive why not do the best we can to take care of the surrounding environment we live in for the younger people, wouldnβt that be a great commitment to give back to the world and our time worth spent
I feel there is more to caring about the environment than claiming that nature has intrinsic value. Defending the well-being of the environment can no longer rely on emotional grounds in today's societal standards - many environmental ads used to focus on "the untouchable beauty" of nature, and respecting the Earth simply for being the Earth, that it somehow had its own will or desire.
While I think many environmentalists feel an emotional connection with respecting the planet we rely on (it's much like a parental bond - the world in all of its natural "splendor" takes pretty good care of us humans), they must also understand that it is not a good motivator for those who simply cannot feel that connection with nature. There is nothing wrong with lacking strong emotional bonds when it comes to our environment (we don't all like camping, some people don't like the smell of fresh pine, a warm summer's breeze does nothing to stir their heart), but of course there are other ways than the sentimental in which one can "care" for it.
I say this because I respect the environment on a logical level, rather than a sentimental. I feel that, if we truly care about the safety of our successors, we will do our best to protect what will one day become their home. When I do something within my life that is environmentally damaging, I am foolish to believe that it will never have an effect on any other living, sentient creature. This is, in a sense, more like caring for humans via the welfare of our home.
So, I'd say I care about the environment as a means for sentient beings to thrive. A tree cannot feel emotions, so I'd be silly to think that I care about the environment in order to make it happy. I do care for it on a sentimental basis, but perhaps not my personal sentiment, as I understand that a healthy and abundant environment gives many others joy and satisfaction.
TL;DR - if you don't care about the environment in and of itself, than you can certainly care for it for the benefit of other human beings, present and future.