Carbon Footprint

Dear Thera,

Now that it's getting colder, my humans are refusing to turn up the heat. When they discuss the possibility of doing so amongst themselves, they start looking anxious and mention "Carbon footprint." I have looked diligently out the window for traces of this Carbon or its footprints, and I have not seen any. Nor do I understand why a warmer house would attract this fearsome Carbon. They also seem to think Carbon is in the air. The only creatures I can think of that are in the air but also leave footprints are birds. Surely my humans are not afraid of a bird? Don't they know that cats are very good at hunting birds? My housemate and I could surely protect them from a Carbon bird!

I'm starting to think that the Carbon is a myth. Humans are very attached to their myths, after all. What do you think?

Carbon Skeptic

Dear Skeptic,

I understand your doubts. As I understand it, the Carbon--or at least its footprint--is a metaphor. That's not quite the same thing as a myth--a metaphor is real, but humans talk about it in ways that aren't quite real. So we can't actually see this footprint. It is some sort of abstract force that is causing Global Warming, and that's what a lot of humans are very anxious about. Turning up the thermostat (and many other actions) strengthens this force.

I bet you're wondering what's wrong with a little bit of warming, right? We cats love to be warm. But there's something I've noticed about warm weather. When it's colder, my housemates and I resolve our differences and learn to occupy the same bed or chair. When it's warmer, we have less motivation to get along and arguments break out pretty easily. I think that's what humans are worried about: that warmer weather will lead to more conflict. Also, I'm not sure humans tolerate the heat as well as we do. And besides, there can be too much of a good thing.

So my advice is that you humor your humans' stingy behavior with the thermostat. You and your housemate should be able to keep each other--and them--warm for the winter.

Happy snuggling,
Thera