Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : Politics for Pros- moderated -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Ilaine who wrote (100397)	2/15/2005 8:51:45 AM
From: Mary Cluney	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 793681

If you knew for a fact that global warming was caused by natural cycles of the sun, would you still panic? Of course there are natural cycles. Temperatures fluctuate. There are mathematical equations and graphics to show that. Most scientists understand that. Most scientists understand a lot about global warming that most of us do not. Most scientists (by a substantial margin) believe that human activity has had and is having a negative effect on global warming trends. Of course most scientists could be wrong. Most scientists at one time thought the earth was flat. Dissenting scientists for the most part hedge their words. They caution us not to panic, not to disrupt our economy, and to continue to look for proof. But, these I think are in the vast minority. I don't think there are any scientists who will say that all the CO2 that we are producing from the coal and oil that we are burning have no impact. They will argue that the rate of change is insignificant. But I think they are also in the vast minority. Politically, we can expect to have the extremes. You will have those that want us to give up our way of life and go back to live in an all naural environment. On the other side, you have those that want the "freedom" to strip mine, dig anywhere anyone wants, cut down all the trees, and drive the most wasteful SUVs that can be produced. If someone advocates a public policy to conserve natural resources, use oil more efficiently, and to be prudent with respect to the use of our natural resources, all the arguments about people wanting to hug trees come forth. In a practical sense, you and I are not going to differ a whole lot. But, on a political level, you will use all your advocacy skills to put a big wedge into this conversation.