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Hot Topic: Save the planet
Editor:
In his letter regarding global warming, Lawrence Paddock stated “Recently, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, with “hundreds of scientists” from 113 countries, determined conclusively that man-made greenhouse gases are responsible for global warming."
First, I believe these “hundreds” were political appointees, not scientists, who, using various scientific data, arrived at a consensus, and cranked out their report. What percentage, or degree, of global warming is caused by man-made greenhouse gases? 100 percent? That’s what it sounds like.
Just about everyone agrees the Earth is warming. But you still have thousands of scientists both here in the U.S. and abroad who think the doomsday scenario is nonsense.
Yes, we should take measures to reduce these emissions (Kyoto is being violated by most of the signatories, with India and China exempt, so forget that one). But when climatologists are fired for not toeing the party line, the debate has reached absurdity.
Both sides are using computer models; projections of either moderate, natural warming, or catastrophic floods and droughts, are all theories.
The problem is that the shrill doomsayers, like Al Gore, have made rational debate all but impossible. Accept this position, or else!! Why was the earth warmer in the 19th century? And does anyone really think we’ll be using fossil fuels in 50 or 100 years?
Since the beginning of the industrial revolution, the earth’s temperature has risen about half a degree Celsius. Let’s drop the panic, and— together— figure out sensible solutions.
Scott Anderson, Green Valley
In his letter regarding global warming, Lawrence Paddock stated “Recently, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, with “hundreds of scientists” from 113 countries, determined conclusively that man-made greenhouse gases are responsible for global warming."
First, I believe these “hundreds” were political appointees, not scientists, who, using various scientific data, arrived at a consensus, and cranked out their report. What percentage, or degree, of global warming is caused by man-made greenhouse gases? 100 percent? That’s what it sounds like.
Just about everyone agrees the Earth is warming. But you still have thousands of scientists both here in the U.S. and abroad who think the doomsday scenario is nonsense.
Yes, we should take measures to reduce these emissions (Kyoto is being violated by most of the signatories, with India and China exempt, so forget that one). But when climatologists are fired for not toeing the party line, the debate has reached absurdity.
Both sides are using computer models; projections of either moderate, natural warming, or catastrophic floods and droughts, are all theories.
The problem is that the shrill doomsayers, like Al Gore, have made rational debate all but impossible. Accept this position, or else!! Why was the earth warmer in the 19th century? And does anyone really think we’ll be using fossil fuels in 50 or 100 years?
Since the beginning of the industrial revolution, the earth’s temperature has risen about half a degree Celsius. Let’s drop the panic, and— together— figure out sensible solutions.
Scott Anderson, Green Valley
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