The book should be re-titled from "An Inconvenient Truth" to "An Irresponsible Half-Truth" (and as we all know, a half-truth is also a half-lie). There are two problems with the argument over global warming: (1) A certain segment of people, who have a long-standing record of trying to instill panic into the American public, are saying "Anyone with half a brain can see that global warming is happening and anyone who doesn't believe it is an idiot." They're basically demanding that we accept their research, and their fundamentally flawed conclusions, as fact. And any time their research or conclusions are questioned or attacked, instead of intelligently articulating how they performed their research and how they came to their conclusions, they simply bash those who question them as "idiots." (2) Scientists may be able to tell us what's happening, but they can't always tell us WHY it's happening or what, if anything, can be done about it. Heck, they can't even tell us whether we really need to be concerned about it, but of course there's that segment that loves nothing more than instilling panic in the American people...BOTTOM LINE: We don't really know what's going on, we don't truly understand why it's happening, and it's very possible that any efforts on our part to correct this so-called "problem" may do more harm than good.
2006-08-08 06:21:36
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answer #1
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answered by sarge927 7
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Al Gore is not a scientist. He is a researcher (or, perhaps more accurately, director of research) and quasi-scholar and presenter, and since he's not running for public office and not seeking any money from you or the state, what he says deserves attention, if not belief.
I think you do not mean "point of no return" (he never said that, as far as I know from news reports) but "tipping point" at which the damage to the environment and to our way of life becomes not so much irreversible (although it may be that) as accelerated.
This does not mean, and he did not say (or I'm convinced I would know it) that the end of the human race is nigh. George W. Bush's Rapture-Ready friends are saying that -- and they truly believe it. Which is why they take literally (as they understand the English, not the Aramaic, Hebrew, Greek, etc.) the Biblical admonition to take charge of and use the earth.
It does seem that global warming is reality, and that climate has changed for the worse. Those scientists whose ambiguous (to laymen) statements have been used to deny it have written articles protesting the misunderstanding and misuse of their writing.
In the end, we are stuck with the Tragedy of the Commons: it is in the interest of each shepherd to put one more sheep out to graze on the commons. But it is in society's interest to limit overgrazing so the commons aren't ruined for everybody, and for everybody's sheep. But who's has the authority or the will? Kyoto, ratified or not, was just a statement and a start.
It isn't you, but your grandchildren who will pay the price.
2006-08-08 06:21:58
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answer #2
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answered by Anonymous
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Some of the predictions regarding global warming are very dire... and Al Gore is not a scientist.... but do yourself a favor and look to science journals for the real deal on global warming. Not a newspaper article, an editorial section on the news or even Al Gore, a real science journmal and see what they say.
2006-08-08 09:38:16
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answer #3
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answered by hyperhealer3 4
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Al Gore is not a scientist, but he is a far better presenter of material than the vast majority of scientists. For years, scientists have been warning about warming, but no one paid attention. At least now people, even the doubting Thomases, are paying attention.
Unless you have seen "An Inconvenient Truth," which Al narrates, hold your judgments about the threat of global warming. By the way, he does not predict "the end of the human race." He predicts life as we know it will be quite different however. Manhattan Island, the San Francisco Bay Area, and other low lying land will become part of the oceans for example. Rain patterns will shift; so that dry lands may become wet and vice versa. Etc., major shifts that will change our way of life...but not necessarily end it.
2006-08-08 06:28:46
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answer #4
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answered by oldprof 7
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Don't listen to Al Gore, he's a radical Environmentalist who is over
exaggerating about this whole Global Warming. He's saying in the next ten years, on his show, New York City will be under water. Yea right. Do not listen to him, he's a lier!
2006-08-08 10:38:02
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answer #5
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answered by Chase 4
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all of us recognize that 9/11 replaced into already contained in the works at the same time as Bush took place of work. So 9/11 could have handed off and Gore could were a lot less likely to do something because each revelation about Clinton's malfeasance could link to Gore. Gore could likely attempt to blockade Afghanistan, a landlocked usa. Iraq likely don't have handed off except you keep in mind that Clinton signed the governmentorder saying that the U. S. could oust Saddam from skill. Gore would have carried out it besides. except Gore could have likely went the Clinton way and merely bombed from the air. Iraqi could have died, Saddam could have hid, and Iran could have moved in. i don't believe of Gore could have had a 2d time period with the subsequent terrorist attacks because of no Patriot Act and Osama nonetheless secure in Afghanistan, and Iran occupying Iraq. also Gore needed to make stronger gas taxes so i could assume to be paying about $5 a gallon for gas truly of $3.06. Venetian, I guessed you neglected Nancy Pelosi 40 8 hours in the past. She stated that elections are gained in this usa with the help of the electoral vote and under no circumstances the known vote. for sure, she replaced into talking about Hillary Clinton vs Obama. She did properly say that whomever has the most electoral votes (Bush in 2000) wins the election. don't be a fool, stay in college and don't be a device both.
2016-11-23 16:08:12
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answer #6
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answered by ? 4
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All I have to say is "Is Al Gore a scientist?", There is no conclusive evidence linking greenhouse emissions from us to global warming. Global warming is real but this could be a natural change of the planet, not one caused by man.
2006-08-08 15:11:30
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answer #7
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answered by amish_renegade 4
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Hah! What a clown. Al Gore wouldn't recognize a thermometer if someone shoved one up his rectum dry. Gore speaks about global warming with as much authority as William Shatner does about astrophysics.
I think the SouthPark episode "Manbearpig" pretty much captures the esence of Al Gore.
2006-08-08 08:36:28
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answer #8
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answered by Ethan 3
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Al Gore has shown no concrete evidence that what is happening today is out of the ordinary.
Every attempt he makes to throw a 'scary' graph in your face is actually a lie. I bought his book and I've already identified 3 graphs that are outright manipulated to give the appearance that things are 'going up'. He cuts off data at arbitrary points in the past and scales his graphs to hopefully pass them off on people dumb enough to not notice things like that. I could make a graph of anything look scary if you don't set a scale for my axes.
If he has such "convincing evidence" as he so clearly states, where is it? And why are you manipulating graphs to further your point? Shouldn't this initial convincing evidence be enough? Just another reason not to trust him.
2006-08-08 09:32:21
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answer #9
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answered by Anonymous
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Al Gore is not a researcher himself, he's merely a presenter who reviews the research of other people. While I suspect that he looked at both sides of the issue, he's inclined to side with those he considers to be more respectable scientists.
I suggest that you look at the references cited in his book and go to those original sources. You may also want to search for the opposing research, but stick to respectable research institutions and scientists, and still watch out for their affiliations (for example, there's an earth sciences professor at MIT who has questioned assertions about global warming, but there is evidence that he serves as a consultant to oil conglomerates).
2006-08-08 06:19:01
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answer #10
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answered by A.R. 3
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