I agree that climate change and the decline in membership in Freemasonry are linked. Not by numbers on a graph, but by a common thinking mistake. Both ideas are based on the theory that change should not occur, and that if change does occur it needs to be fixed. Lets examine climate change. Our best scientists tell us that the Earth has been getting warmer for about 10,000 years. No one was complaining about Global Warming when the leading edge of the Arctic Glacier was in Indiana. The history of our planet is a story of continuous change. Suddenly, in the last two decades this has become a "problem" that we need to "fix". Suddenly I am supposed to panic because I realize that the Earth is still evolving? Please, give me a break!
Similarly, enrollment in Freemasonry has waxed and waned over the centuries. I am sure that if there had been a Grand Lodge of Rome in Julius Caesar's day they would have moaned and groaned that fewer and fewer men petitioned for the degrees as the great civilization of Rome fell into decline, never thinking that the decline in petitions might be linked to the changing political fortunes of their country. Things Evolve - Things Change!
Please forgive me for posting this light-hearted tirade. "Global Warming" and "The Decline in Masonry" are both pet peeves of mine. Personally, I think that the declining numbers in Freemasonry may be the best thing that has happened to Masonry in many decades. Masons are waking up. Masons are actually looking at the Craft instead of taking it for granted. Masons are actually saying "How can I help make the Craft better?". Masons are realizing that "Becoming Better" is an activity that they need to actively engage in! Wa-Hoo!
4:35 PM - edited for syntax