Is the debate on global warming over now?

Question

Even George Bush said last night we have to do something about global warming, indicating that even he now recognizes it is a fact. Why didn't the news media make a bigger point of that? And since we already know a lot about what we have to do to slow down global warming, isn't the only issue now whether we have the political will to do what is necessary?

Answer 1

I read too that the oil companies have also completely given up their stance. I wonder how long the few idiots here on yahoo answers will still continue to ridiculously assert that there's still something worth debating?

By the way, for those of you that didn't get it, Bush and the oil companies finally agreed with scientists worldwide that it's time to start reducing CO2 emissions. This implies that there is no longer any feasible way that they can continue to assert that greenhouse gases are not responsible and that, yes, they must admit that it's because of human activity.

Well, anyway, my prediction is that the Bush supporters will fall into line and the libertarians, who were also feeding the debate, will not.

Answer 2

The debate over global warming and whether it was caused by humans or not was settled by scientists long ago. Anyone educated in climatology, science or simply reading and interested in science knew that is being caused by humans since the 1970's. But the oil industry has been running the country for along time too, in particular, growing in strength during the Reagan years. Bush is backed into a corner by the dems, and rightly so. It's a major concern by most Americans. Bush has yet to put money where his mouth is though. He mentioned it in his 2002 speech but has made no funding or movement toward alternative energy. He's just paying lip service to it. WHY? Because he is part of the oil industry.

Answer 3

The sad thing is that this was ever thought of as a political debate at all.

The science has been settled for years, and even Bush had admitted this as early as 2002 (though this admission wasn't talked about much).

Now, finally, I hope we can move on and address the real issue - the one that IS a politcal debate: how do we fix it?

Personally, I favor a plan that was used by the Bush administration to great effect in fighting other pollutants: namely the cap & trade idea. This is supported by business (including U.S. energy companies), most environmentalists, Democrats, and since it was used by a Republican administration in the past, we can assume it will have the support of the right as well.

Answer 4

One side huddle together and decided to declare victory. Doesn't mean the debate is any more over than it ever was. The case for man-made global warming remains "CO2 traps heat, we put more up in the atmosphere than was the case before, and there's a very rough temporal correlation, give or take 80 years, between that and this most recent of several multi-century climate shifts, including several periods when it was warmer than today even though CO2 levels were lower."

Sorry but that's not the debate being over.

Answer 5

Bush did not admitt that POLLUTION was the big factor in global Warming. Little will happen during his term in office - Dems don't want him to get credit for anything.

Answer 6

That was one thing that stuck out in my mind, too. I thought of all the people on the right who use this forum and vehemently deny global warming...What now? The president sees it as a threat.

Answer 7

most everyone recognizes the fact of global warming . The debate is if we make that big of an impact or is it natural

Answer 8

I certainly hope so. I feel that anyone who thinks global warming isn't happening loses ALL credibility.

Answer 9

The debate still remains, is global warming man made? No!

Can we do anything to stop it? No!

Answer 10

It came as a shock to me that he said that, but it does make me hopefull, maybe his backers will listen. If he said that the sky is falling, they would believe him.