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Trying to make sense of things by looking at causes and understanding their effects. Using science to discern what's real and relationships to determine what's of value. Curious about everything.

Climate change skeptics - blind disbelief or critical thinkers?

Sam was back on the radio today with Todd Feinburg on WRKO 680AM as he was filling in for Tom Finneran who was on vacation.  

We went hammer and tongs on global warming - why do conservatives have a blind spot when it comes to the science of global warming?  Well, that is what I wanted to know…  Some points that were made:

  • since we aren’t scientists, we have to defer to the scientific community to get to the bottom of things using the scientific process,
  • as new evidence comes in, such as data from Greenland ice shield reported in the Boston Globe today, the scientific consensus will adjust accordingly, in contrast to dogmatically maintaining one’s position on something regardless of the facts,
  • most people, including many who are persuaded that global warming is occurring, are in denial about the problem,

Whether or not you are irritated by Al Gore and other wealthy liberals living in large homes and driving SUV’s, this certainly should not determine whether you think there is a problem.  And, why should conservatives favor policies promoted by the oil and coal industries rather than policies promoted by other industries that are actually at risk from climate change, such as the insurance industry?

Many conservatives and corporations, including ExxonMobil, The Boeing Company, Margaret Thatcher, John McCain, and William F. Buckley, have acknowledged that climate change is real, that it is caused by human activity, and that we need to take steps to address it.  It is time for everyone to stop, take a deep breath, use science to determine what we know, and put our best brains on the problem to come up with solutions.

So what can we do?  Well, interestingly enough, eating less meat has a greater impact than switching to a hybrid car.  Hmmm.  And, I’m sad to report that the methane released by bovine flatulence suggests yet another reason that bacon is bad for us.  Sigh.  Now, that’s inconvenient. 

To listen (right click to download):

Global warming Part 1
Global warming Part 2
 


Posted by Sam on Jul 06 2007 under Climate change, Radio topics, Science, Conservatism




One Response to “Climate change skeptics - blind disbelief or critical thinkers?”

  1. Cause and Effect World » The Samantha Clemens Show - July 8, 2007 Says:
    July 9th, 2007 at 3:02 pm

    […] Last Friday, I had the opportunity to ‘discuss‘ global warming with Todd Feinburg on WRKO 680 AM here in Boston.  Todd is skeptical about global warming, which is not an uncommon position for a conservative.  I am interested in the following: […]

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