Global Warmin, oh my!
Notice that I put this post in both the science and politics categories, because this issue, Global Warming, IS a political issue.
Now, just because I’m a libertarian doesn’t mean that I lay aside my critical faculties in favor of “freedom at any cost”. I still want to think through every issue in detail (although being a libertarian does make many issues much easier to opine on).
I’m going to write another post on Global Warming later this week, but I wanted to introduce some thoughts before I do so.
Some facts:
- The effects of Global Warming would be catastrophic. When our earth’s climate system is thrown off, the results can be devastating.
- Humans pour a whole lot of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere
- The climate is changing. The average temperatures are rising, however slightly they may be.
Some fairy tales:
- Science has proven that the link between climate change and human action.
- There is no debate in the scientific community over Global Warming
- The CO2 from your SUV, smoke-stacks, and coal consumption are definitely going to cause the world to end.
Let’s be clear, humans causing climate change is hardly concrete.
However, I’ve seen too many conservatives’ knee-jerk reaction to the idea. For my part, I’m perfectly willing to accept the science and its predictions, and adjust accordingly.
I love wildlife. I know there are a lot of you out there who think that humans run this planet, and all the animals can either adjust or die, but I do not share that opinion with you. I think we have a responsibility to be good stewards of the planet’s resources, including those darn polar bears 
I would hate nothing more than to know that as a result of our behavior, despite the warnings, an entire species of mammal went extinct.
I’m all for an alternative to fossil fuels. Not just because of the climate implications, but because I want to reduce our dependence on the middle east for our energy, and I’d like lower prices too. I’ve replaced most of my incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent. Not because I’m under any delusion that I’m saving the world by doing so, but because it saves me a little money every month on power. If these things help save the planet if/when science proves the link between human activity and climate change, great! If not, I still save some money.
I drive an SUV. I’d love to save money on gas. Therefore, I would buy a more fuel effecient car if it were cost effective. Heck, even if I didn’t save money, I’d like to be able to visit the gas station less often (I hate filling up).
But, that doesn’t mean that the mom driving 4 kids to school in her Chevy Tahoe needs to feel guilty for doing so.
To the Global Warming, knee-jerk deniers, don’t be so hasty. Don’t be one of those meat-head conservatives who deny even the thought of changing our behavior because of “the environment”. Not everyone who believes in conservation and environmentalism is a nut-job.
To the Global Warming alarmists, don’t be so condescending. Wait ’til science gives us some results before you start trying to make everyone feel guilty for their daily activities.
Like I said, this is sort of just a preliminary. I’ll write more about it this week. I want to share some thoughts on Al Gore’s “carbon offsets”, and hopefully I can get a link to an interview with a highly respected climatologist who does not buy into the human involvement in climate change argument.
[tags]global warming, al gore, climate change, carbon, co2[/tags]
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Glad you’re dealing with this topic. I’ve been frustrated with how hard it is to get non-politicized info on this subject. I’m getting tired of celebrities and politicians spouting off about it when they really don’t understand the issues themselves. In the end, the real science gets so buried in the knee-high crap that it becomes a race to see who will jump on what bandwagon.
Looking forward to more.
Nathan,
Dude. Seriously. You scare me. If someone accidentally attributed an article like this to my name, I would have to edit, uh, very, very little. Why do you have to write such excellent blogs, huh? Full of level-headed, meaningful content?
He he… Good post.
I am of the opinion that Global Warming is incontrivertible – the question is whether global cooling is coming (God forbid!). It may even be the case that humans are causing it – in which Darwinists have a lot of explaining to do!
What is just disturbing is when the media/politicians/big whigs are pushing a “scientific proof” harder than the scientists doing the “proving.” Just as something was DIRELY wrong when the Preachers and Rabbis in the early 20th century were preaching eugenics more vehemently than the scientific community, it may serve as a sign that the theory lacks actual empirical support.
-Me
I basically agree with all three viewpoints above. I do think it is fairly evident that humans are having at least some effect, but the media is certainly blowing things out of proportion- on both sides. The media is showing the extremes without the middle ground, as it is wont to do, and isn’t really bringing across what the scientific consensus actually is. There IS a consensus, and that consensus IS that global warming is occurring and humans are playing a role in it. It is telling that most of the scientists who disagree are on the payroll of energy corporations; very reminiscent of the controversy over the effects of cigarettes. But the media exaggerates both sides of the issue. Actually, the movie “The Day After Tomorrow” was on FX last night; it’s a very good example of said exaggeration. Then again, they’ve gotta sell tickets, right? Exaggeration sells.
The earth has heated up and cooled down multiple times. There have been ice ages, and warm periods that have come and gone before man was ever even here. Considering that all the CO2 that man produces only accounts for 4% total and the United States only accounts for 25% of that is it completely reasonable to believe that nothing we do will matter.
It is easy to see that the earth is warming up. However I find it very difficult to believe that we are the cause given the history of the planet. Conservation is the right thing to do period but it is funny that the very people promoting this do not conserve themselves.
For example if CO2 is so bad then there can be no excuse for purchasing carbon offsets? I view this as the new age form of indulgences.
We need to deal with the fact that the Earth is going to heat up again and spend money dealing with the impacts of that rather than trying to stop it. We also need to conserve because it is the right thing to do, and we need to hold the false profits of global warming accountable for there part.
My idea for a highly fuel savings car. We already know about the prius. I like the idea of revamping a small old car. Or using a frame of your choice. But here is the idea. Use an effecient electric genterator and run electric power straight to an electric motor connected to the transmission of your vehicle of choice. My theory simple and possibly never realized by any. I beleive due to the small efficient motor transferred to raw electric would be far more efficient of a car on miles than any car in possible existence. I pray that people read this and run with the idea just for the sake of good will to this society.