Now even climate-change believers count as ‘deniers’

NY Post ^ | October 12, 2017 | Bjorn Lomborg

[Oshkalaboomboom]

Al Gore recently had a telling altercation with a journalist. The Spectator’s Ross Clark wanted to ask him about Miami sea-level rises suggested in the new film, “An Inconvenient Sequel.” The reporter started to explain that he had consulted Florida International University sea-level-rise expert Shimon Wdowinski. Gore’s response: “Never heard of him — is he a denier?” Then he asked the journalist, “Are you a denier?”

When Clark responded that he was sure climate change is a problem but didn’t know how big, Gore declared, “You are a denier.”

I was recently on the receiving end of a similar rebuff from Chile’s environment minister. I’d written an op-ed for a Chilean newspaper that, among other things, quoted UN findings on how little the Paris climate treaty would achieve and argued that vast investment in green energy research and development is a better policy. Marcelo Mena proclaimed, “There is no room for your climate-denying rhetoric in Chile.”

Something odd — and dangerous — is happening when even people who accept the reality of man-made climate change are labeled “deniers.” The unwillingness to discuss which policies work best means we end up with worse choices. Consider the case of Roger Pielke, Jr, a political scientist who worked extensively on climate change. He believes that climate change is real, human emissions of greenhouse gases justify action and there should be a carbon tax.

But he drew the ire of climate campaigners because his research has shown that the increasing costs from hurricane damage is not caused by storms made more intense by climate-change but by more and pricier property built in vulnerable areas. He took issue with the UN’s influential International Panel for Climate Change over a chart in its 2007 report that seemed to imply causation when there was only circumstantial evidence.

[jonrick46]

Did we have massive weather holocausts in the Earth's past?

The average temperature averages of 22 degrees Celsius (71.6 Farenheit) and high CO2 levels promoted a huge increase in plant life. Fossilized flora evidence suggests the presence of paleoforests up to latitudes of 85° in both Northern and Southern hemispheres. These forests would not have survived radical weather events that turned forests into burning infernos from lightning strikes and high winds to mow them down. It was these massive forests that created the oxygen levels to support animal life and, ultimately, human life.

[jonrick46]

The North Pole view of Earth showing 80 degrees latitude:

There were forests up to 80 degrees Latitude in the Earth's past.

[Trillian]

They must not be giving enough money and chakra massages.

[PapaBear3625]

You are messing with a cult so don't be surprised when you are labeled as a heretic if you don't toe the line.

Worse. You are messing with a scam which they hope to be very lucrative.

[FrankR]

I’ve never fully understood how the name, “deniers”, evolved to the same level as “racists”.

So...I’m a “denier”...so what? I freely admit it. I “deny” a lot of things. That’s my freedom, that’s my privilege.

The left tends to think if they say the word, in a certain way, or, inflection, that it takes on an evil meaning. Why, because some liberal jerk raised an eyebrow when s/he said it?

We all need to stop allowing the left to decide what is insulting, and what is not. They don’t have the education, the common sense, or, the authority on such decisions.

After living in the South for 72 years, I can attest that, if anything, the summers are cooler. Now, that may be due to the proliferation of air conditioning, but I remember it being a lot hotter than this back in the 50’s and 60’s.

So far, nothing...and I mean NOTHING, that algore has predicted has come true. Nothing is even trending in that direction. The only thing that’s been apparent is his predictions that the chumps out there will buy “carbon credits”, and contribute zillions of dollars to his cause...mostly, to him.

I think algore is mentally ill. He’s always been weird,

[Steve Van Doorn]

is that animation correct? the last 4000 years shows no noticeable change?

That is interesting. Our interglacial optimum should be ending soon.

[Steve Van Doorn]

never-trumpers are those that would rather have Hillary over Trump. It's a two way race. Winner take all.
That is the way the system is set up.

I would rather have (blank) isn't an option. That time has passed. Now that the election is over it's long past.

[Sam Gamgee]

I meet true believers every day, but I don’t think Gore is one. I think it is all a scam for him to make more money.

[seawolf101]

Yes, the real climate change er global warming happened a long time ago.