The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says there is greater than 90 per cent certainty that human activity is causing climate change. The American Academy of Science, the American Geophysical Union, the Royal Society, the Royal Society of Canada, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the American Meteorological Society, and NASA all agree. And no study has been published in a reputable peer-reviewed scientific journal challenging that consensus. Yet, a growing number of people think the debate is still far from settled. Furthermore, many believe that doing anything to combat the human causes of climate change will destroy the economy. What’s going on?
A comprehensive feature in the Vancouver Courier newspaper sheds some light on the subject. In the article, Vancouver PR expert James Hoggan, who is also chair of the David Suzuki Foundation board, says industry is conducting a deliberate PR campaign to muddy the debate on global warming.
"Climate spin is far more destructive than your run-of-the-mill political misdirection," says Mr. Hoggan in the Courier article. "First, many scientists believe [climate change] is the biggest issue we face today. Second, climate spin – the strategic sowing of climate change confusion – has led to a personal and political paralysis. Governments don't want to act alone, and people are afraid that individual actions are irrelevant. Any time you are trying to spin an issue, rather than facing the underlying problem, you're at risk."
A recent study showing that ExxonMobil contributed large amounts of money to an organization that denies the science behind human-caused global warming appears to back up Mr. Hoggan’s argument.
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lora bruncke
Man makes millions from:
oil, gas and plastic
tin cans
diamonds
cigarettes
alcohol
turf
toys
cars
boats
paper
drugs
junk food
junk drinks
chemicals
taking all the fish
cutting down forests
baby powder formula
resorts built after disasters
What kills?
All of the above.
Conclusion:
Our economy is killing us.
Just like Dr. Suzuki warned.
Too bad we didn't listen.
What do we do now?
Francien Verhoeven
What do we do now?
Let's see:
"I (Mr.Suzuki)spoke to a Canadian just the other day, a guy who felt like many of us that this issue needs to be addressed but isnt being given the attention it deserves from world leaders. And he had a great way of looking at it. He said, Its kind of like a dance where everyone waits along the walls for the first person to break the ice. And then someone does, and suddenly everyone is dancing. Thats whats happening now in Canada and in the world on global warming. Were waiting for someone to step forward and break the ice.
I think we could start by turning thing around. We could take the above quote and set it right-side up:
'All over the Western world (including Canada) people are constantly dancing on the dancefloor, having a jolly good time, untill someone says,'Hey, maybe life isn't all about dancing, maybe we should sit the odd dance out!"
But the music is so loud, and the dancing so addictive that no one seems to hear the call, and so no one does anything else but dance.'
Or, wait, what about this one:
Mr.Suzuki could answer this one personally if he could find the time in between busy scheduling:
How much energy is burned for 15,000 humans to attend the Bali conference on Climate Change? (flights, taxies, rooms and airconditioning anyone?) Ah, yes, tourism. We must never forget about tourism, the side effects.
How many flights does Mr.Suzuki take for spreading his message? Perhaps 40 flights a year? I would say that such flights are worth it if he would answer questions on the spot. Questions such as why it is environmentally responsible to waste energy when attending Climate Change conferences but not responsible when used for other endeavours. I find it overwhelmingly rich in irony when people try and justify spending massive amounts of energy for attending conferences on Climate Change. Just consider it and wait for it too click. If it takes a very long time for it to click, you know you have a problem.
These are a few of the things that mi
lora bruncke
Unfortunately, we live in an oil driven world and the only way to get together on a global scale is by using one of man's worst inventions, the internal combustion engine in the sky.
Dr. Suzuki is currently trying to fly less and tele conference instead but, alas, the people want to see him up close!
For the good of humanity, if anyone deserves to fly, it is Dr. David Suzuki and his team.
You are right about the tourists though. There are too many of them flying around to all inclusives built in the wake of disasters. How do you stop them?
The Bali Conference energy output was minimal in comparison.
Also, in my opinion, the energy was put to good use - people getting together to save a planet for our kids. There are too many wanna be millionaires racing to destroy it before they die.