102 -- Global View - Global Warming

a

And therefore, global warming is the greatest de- ception of the early 21st century. Questions?

b

Uh… yeah. In the lecture you said there’s more evidence in the scientific record supporting global cooling?

a

Well, yes, essentially, the historical record sup- ports a theory of climate cycles. Warming and cooling are cooperating processes in the plane- tary eco-system.

b

If that’s true and the planet is getting cooler, what explains the rapid melting of the polar ice caps and the dramatic rise in the global average temperatures?

a

But are global temperatures rising? If you look at the data from nineteen seventy-five you’ll…

b

You’ll be misled. If you were serious, you would look at the record starting in the 1880’s. Then you would see how dramatically the earth’s tem- perature has changed.

a

Young lady, I beg to differ. Look, the point of the lecture was to emphasize that there is evi- dence for both sides, and I’m putting forth the ar- gument that there’s greater evidence in support of the global cooling hypothesis. Look, it’s an indis- putable fact that the public is being manipulated and scared into believing there’s some kind of climate crisis; this scaremongering is done, quite simply, for political reasons.

b

But even without the uncomfortable reality that greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide contribute to global warming, isn’t the topic appropriate for politicians to discuss?

a

Not if they want to use your tax dollars and mine to fund completely unnecessary initiatives.

b

Yeah, like conservation, protecting endangered species and investing in renewable energy. At the very least, you have to concede that this debate has the potential to end our dependence on for- eign oil. Buying oil supports autocratic countries that use these revenues to devastating ends.

a

Why, I’ve never been so disrespected in all of my days. I’m a professor, a scientist and researcher of high regard.

b

Yeah, and a duplicitous one at that. Everyone knows you’re in the pocket of the oil lobby. Why should we trust your so-called findings more than tobacco institute studies which say smoking doesn’t harm health? You’re full of it.

a

Some people just cannot handle civil debate!