Let’s have the debate. Let’s discuss the carbon cycle, and carbon dioxide’s role in photosynthesis and the processes of Life; let’s discuss changing sea levels; let’s discuss the frequency of extreme weather; let’s discuss the role of the Sun; let’s discuss all the other natural factors that might be influencing the climate in addition to CO2 such as ocean currents, atmospheric currents, cosmic rays, volcanism, cosmic dust, changing orbital geometries, the geomagnetic field etc. etc.; let’s discuss the cause, or causes, of cycling glacial-interglacial ages; let’s discuss the relationship of CO2 to climate change throughout Earth history; let’s discuss the role of changes in the circumpolar vortex; let’s discuss the Medieval Warm Period and the Little Ice Age; let’s discuss the Climatic Optimum; let’s discuss the accuracy of ice cores as a climate proxy; let’s discuss the numerous, well documented natural climate catastrophes that have happened in Earth’s history; let’s discuss the effects of warm vs cold periods on the stability of historical societies. Let’s discuss all these things, and more.
Oh, that’s right, I almost forgot, the debate is over; the science is settled; there is nothing more to discuss.
I’ll make a final comment. I totally believe that climate change is very real and I am totally in favor of studies being performed on the human influence on climate. I think they are important and necessary, and definitely part of the big picture of climate change. And I have no doubt that carbon dioxide does indeed play an important role, up to a point. What I object to is the monopolization of climate science by political, academic and corporate forces that stand to gain as a direct result of carbon remediation policies, who then employ the tremendous political resources at their disposal to marginalize, ostracize and denigrate dissenting voices, whatever their source. I think it will be an error of monumental proportions to put all of our eggs into the anthropogenic carbon dioxide basket while ignoring all of the other natural factors that have been operational for as long as this planet has existed. The policies derived from the science of climate change had better reflect the realities of climate change and not a politically contrived model or we could find ourselves in a world of hurt.
For make no mistake, most of the policies being proposed will have major effects on civilization and the consequences of draconian policies that force a reduction of energy consumption will absolutely impede economic growth and affect our standard of living in profound ways. This is why it is absolutely crucial that a vigorous debate take place with all voices heard. Finally, I am entirely in favor of developing alternative forms of energy and minimizing reliance on fossil fuels. But government mandates, forced upon society by an autocracy of imperfect individuals in pursuit of various agendas, are not the way to get there. In fact, the reality is the opposite: governments, politics, and bureaucracies are the greatest roadblock to effecting this transition, by consuming and wasting astronomical sums of the wealth and resources of this nation in particular, wealth which could, and would be used in the private sector by entrepreneurs, builders, architects, designers, engineers, scientists, inventors, farmers, artists, visionaries, healers and all creative individuals who understand the necessity of evolving a civilization in harmony with the Earth.
The question never seems to be asked, by those who favor political solutions to social problems, about the role of politics in creating those problems in the first place, and how, if there is not enough popular support in the private sector, a political solution could ever conceivably and realistically hope to succeed, and refusing to recognize that if there is sufficient support in the private sector then the political solution is superfluous, redundant, and counter-productive.
I will finish this diatribe with a superlative quote from the great 19 century philosopher and journalist Henry George. Based upon your deference to the authoritarian state, you will most likely not relate to the opinion expressed in these words, but for the sake of others, not so shackled by ideology, I will here include it, because it speaks eloquently of the remedy for what ails this nation and points us towards the only path to a prosperous, peaceful and sustainable future.
“We speak of Liberty as one thing, and of virtue, wealth, knowledge, invention, national strength and national independence as other things.
But, of all these, Liberty is the source, the mother, the necessary condition.
She is to virtue what light is to color;
to wealth what sunshine is to grain;
to knowledge what eyes are to sight.
She is the genius of invention, the brawn of national strength, the spirit of national independence.
Where Liberty rises, there virtue grows, wealth increases, knowledge expands, invention multiplies human powers, and in strength and spirit the freer nation rises among her neighbors.”
-Randall Carlson
October 16, 2015 at 2:01 pm
Ask Randall: Climate Change – Who Are The Real Deniers?
