the arguments climate change series eric jackson...
TRANSCRIPT
Tactics
Misinformation disputed by all major scientific bodies
Quotes out of context
Misuse of statistics
Assertions that environmentalism = socialism
Assertions that environmentalism = plot to overthrow US government
Assertions that environmentalism = plot by United Nations to take control of the world
Skeptics' disputes of action on climate change are commonly along one or more of the following lines:
1. There is no conclusive evidence that climate change is happening;
Skeptics' disputes of action on climate change are commonly along one or more of the following lines:
2. The changes in measured temperatures are part of the natural cycle;
Skeptics' disputes of action on climate change are commonly along one or more of the following lines:
3. Even if the changes are human induced, the scale is not sufficiently large to make changes beyond sensible "least cost" measures; and
Skeptics' disputes of action on climate change are commonly along one or more of the following lines:
4. The economic impact of making substantial cuts in greenhouse gas emissions on the scale suggested by the IPCC or other groups is too large.
There are several reasons why denial is appealing.
Doubt is an easy product to sell. Climate denial tells us what we all secretly want to hear
The implications of the science are frightening
Science is portrayed as political orthodoxy rather than objective knowledge
In November 2004, leading climate change skeptic Richard Lindzen was quoted saying he'd be willing to bet that the earth's climate will be
cooler in 20 years than it is today.
When British climate researcher James Annan contacted him, however, Lindzen would only
agree to take the bet if Annan offered a 50-to-1 payout
So who are the climate change skeptics?
Approximately 30 individuals have been the most quoted leaders of the climate change
denial movement.
In the USA, there are two organizations that have taken a leadership role in climate change
denial.
Competitive Enterprise Institute
George C. Marshall Institute
So who are the climate change skeptics?
Competitive Enterprise Institute
“CEI is a research and advocacy institute dedicated to the principles of free enterprise
and limited government. We believe that individuals are best helped not by government
intervention, but by making their own choices in a free marketplace."
The Competitive Enterprise Institute produced two 60-second television spots focusing on the “alleged global warming crisis” and the calls by some environmental groups and politicians for reduced energy use. The ads were aired in 14
U.S. cities from May 18 to May 28, 2006.
The ads say that polar ice is actually thickening and that CO2 is a good thing.
ExxonMobil’s funding of CEI was $2,005,000 for the period 1998-2005.
CEI’s other major efforts include support for the tobacco industry, the pesticide industry, and the
pharmaceutical industry
George C. Marshall Institute
GMI’s mission is to “encourage the use of sound science in making public policy about important
issues for which science and technology are major considerations."
The earth is now on the brink of entering another Ice Age, according to a large and
compelling body of evidence from within the field of climate science.
George C. Marshall Institute
ExxonMobil’s funding of GMI was $715,000 for the period 1998-2006.
George C. Marshall Institute
Is Climate Change Human Caused?
Wrong Question?
Human Caused?
Creation Stewardship?
Climate Change Caused by Humans?
True or False?
Wrong Question!
ACTIONYes No
True
False
$$$$$$$$$$
$$$$$$$$$$ CATASTROPHE>20-50’ sea rise
NO BENEFITS
>1 B displaced
>economic, societal, & health systems collapse
RISK MANAGEMENT 101
Monthly Measurements at Manau Loa
Antarctic Vostok ice core; 2.2 miles deep, 420,000 years of temperature and greenhouse
gas data
Atmospheric CO2 Projections
Text
Least Reliable
Most ReliableExpertise
BiasIndividual layperson
Individual professional
Think tanksAdvocacy groups
Support for my beliefs
Truth
PetitionsUniversities
Peer-reviewed science“Science”“Nature”Proceedings
from Nat Acad Science
Statements that contradict normal
bias
Professional organizations
“Global warming is a manageable risk, not an existential crisis, and we should get on with the job of managing it. Conservatives should propose policies that are appropriately optimistic, science-based, and low-cost. This should be an attractive political program: It is.....a reality that Americans usually respond well to the conversion of political issues into technical problems. After all, we’re very good at solving the latter. New Atlantis, Summer 2008
Next in the Climate Change Series....
The Solutions
February 1 at 9 and 10:30 AMFebruary 5 at 7 PM
Eric Jackson [email protected]