I write today in reaction to yet another round of hyperbole that included the same tiresome references to Al Gore and even went so far as to accuse anyone concerned about climate change and that has the temerity to buy into this vast conspiracy as participating genocide.
Of course, this sort of talk comes from a “respected scientist” who claims that there is absolutely no scientific consensus regarding global warming. He claims people are “trying to predict the weather 100 years in the future” (a phrase incidentally, that I am surprised any self-respecting scientist would use; since, of course, every competent scientist knows that climate is not weather – semantics I suppose; much like using the word “genocide”.
He talks of how there is has been no verifiable experiment that proves anthropomorphic climate change from burning fossil fuels. And in his next breath he talks of the “gift” the industrial revolution has given the world because that very same release of carbon has “enriched plant and animal life”. Well, I guess the climate experiment is ongoing then isn’t it? You’ll pardon me if I don’t wish to place all my trust in your grand experiment for which you place such high praise.
If scientists urging caution and attempting to “predict the weather 100 years in the future” have no grasp on what the future holds in terms of Earth’s climate, then neither do you, sir.
He talks of how some would “turn off half the world’s energy supply”. Really? He doesn’t state how he came to that conclusion, or how the emerging energy economy we inevitably face can, in fact, be the next economic boon for the wise capitalist – something he apparently is not. He then ties this “shutting down” to his use of the word genocide, as if it is the poor people on the earth that today are using too much energy.
In any case, since Mr. Robinson claims to have The Truth, The Way, and all others are to be damned (much as he views those that disagree with him), I am going to save his post and submit it to other scientists to get a reaction. Perhaps there is some merit in what he says, perhaps not.
My principal complaint here is his tone and certainty. He is guilty of that which he accuses others; he panders to fear and partisanship, he presents only one side of a story and uses language designed with the sole purpose to inflame emotions.
Though I suspect he is much too smug for it, he should be ashamed of himself.
Just one more thing Mr. Robinson, it is very convenient to compress the entire community of people concerned with the environment, energy policy, and climate change into one person – Al Gore. You may find this hard to believe, but Al Gore – whether I like him or not – does not represent me.
Your tone, language, accusations, and smug certainty help no one.
global warming al gore climate change energy carbon scientific debate
