scott inVabocadad wrote:
It is funny how an agenda is usually defined as the views of someone whose opinion one does not like. It is really big of Dr. Gray to acknowledge global warming. I am really impressed that he even allows that a tiny fraction of that may be caused by us. And of course, the quote by Sen. Inhofe calling global warming a hoax and prominently displayed by Dr. Gray was not in any way meant to reflect his personal affinity to that remark. Or perhaps he speaks out of both sides of his mouth.
There is nothing wrong with claiming climatology is responsible for global warming. It would be nice if you have the data to support it. What is not nice are the constant personal attacks on people who happen to believe in global warming, like referring to Al Gore as part of the lunatic fringe of environmentalists. Conservatives don't like global warming. They didn't like it before we had any understanding of it and they are not about to change their minds now. And they are perfectly willing and used to throwing paranoid charges of left wing conspiracy and whatever else furthers their own agenda. I say let the scientists alone to do their work and if we have any sense we will hope for the best and prepare for the worst. And isn't that the kind of advice you would give to anyone preparing for a hurricane season? Why should this be any different?[/quote]
A reasoned response for which I thank you. There is a body of science illustrating the Earth has undergone warmings that occurred over several decades.
Al Gore's comments, web site and speaking tour represent the lunatic fringe; it is near folly to find reasoned climatologists who agree with his Doomsday scenarios. He, the Natural Resources Defense Council and Greenpeace crowd are on the outer edges and actually impair scientists from doing their work.
"...humanity is sitting on a time bomb. If the vast majority of the world's scientists are right, we have just ten years to avert a major catastrophe that could send our entire planet's climate system into a tail-spin of epic destruction involving extreme weather, floods, droughts, epidemics and killer heat waves beyond anything we have ever experienced - a catastrophe of our own making."
If this hyperbole represents "the vast majority of the world's scientists" we are in a sorrowful position. Fortunately, most scientists do not agree, so one is left to ponder the motive behind the dour predictions.
And yes, the science should continue...on all fronts. Volcanoes, varying output from the Sun, explosive energy consumption in other larger countries, deforestation...even bovine flatulence and more. How presumptuous to believe two generations (of mostly SUV driving Americans) are culpable for whatever warming cycle we are experiencing!
You're right, I devote extensive time on my site and elsewhere urging people to prepare for hurricanes. But, I do not know how we prepare for Global Warming. Kyoto is not an option. Stopping China and India's 2 billion plus from developing energy needs will not work. But let's also not shut out those with a contrasting opinion.
Please don't cast me as a Dittohead Conservative. Proudly, I am a card carrying member of the Libertarian Party
Scott
But my original point still stands - there was no consensus, "panic" or whatever about an imminent ice age. There was some speculation, not backed up by any serious amount of research. That's all.
