Are scientists turning into climate crusaders?

Question

Should they? If not, with whom should that responsibility lie?
The environmental debate was top of mind with Canadian politicians and news media. Read more: http://ca.blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-NwuWaPQoeKdM_fkq7QX_VJZjjCc-?cq=1&p=343

(And remember: come back in a few days to vote on your favourite answer)

Answer 1

When it comes to world issues...we need to turn to the experts for the truth. And in the case of Global Warming...scientists are the experts that we need to listen to...and respect.

We've been hearing and reading far too much about government influenced reports and spin - its time we all understood the reality of the situation so that we have the opportunity to do something about it.

Conspiracy theorists have their right to speak out, but not if it is getting in the way of the global public learning about the facts.

I suggest the politicians back way out of this one and let the scientists lead the charge.

Answer 2

I say that scientists should definitely turn into climate crusaders! It isn't right for scientists to leave this problem because they are a part of creating many inventions that create pollution, which they should take some blame for, and they're the ones that are capable of creating new and more efficient items.

FOR EXAMPLE:
If cars were not invented, then we wouldn't have so much POLLUTION from the gas of a car and we wouldn't have as much HEAT either. For this problem, scientists created hybrids, which are a type of car that runs on gas and electricity. Even though this does help, it still only reduces the amount of pollution and doesn't eliminate it. The world would really be a better place if everyone takes part in creating a healthier atmosphere.

Answer 3

I understand some of the opinions expressed here on climate change (it can be very confusing). However, I have a couple friendly suggestions to 4 views, listed below:

View #1. The Earth is only going through a climate shift (heating). This has been expressed and this statement is somewhat true, the problem that some people have understanding is that the pollution that we have and still are creating combined with the possible shift has propelled us to a whole new level of climate shift/change never experienced on the Earth (and we caused this new level of heating).
View #2. All countries need to reduce CO2 not just Canada (not the exact wording). I take it that this statement comes from the Kyoto accord, that many Albertans disagree with (and yes I am from Alberta, so I know). I agree that all countries need to participate, but what is so bad about Canada leading the way, becoming somewhat of a role model. We are one of the richest countries with some of the brightest people, why not be a leader and make the changes.
View #3. Look what the Europeans have done to our land. Unfortunately climate change would have affected Canada whether Europeans landed here or not; its a World Wide issue and Canada should come out on top as a World leader.
View #4. Scientists invented the pollution causing mechanisms.
True, but they don't ask you to use them everyday. Scientists present inventions and facts, how people choose to use them is the moral question. I choose to take public transit, not my car and I choose to buy lightbulbs that use less power becuse that is my responsibility.

Every Canadian should be a crusader and be willing to read the facts that Scientists present.

Even if you do not believe in climate change, you have to believe that reducing pollution and creating sustainable practices can only benefit this Country and make it better. I know a guy who's living in Beijing, China and when the pollution is bad he has to send his pregnant wife away and wipe black ash from his face every time he steps in from outside. I don't want that here.

Like many people have said it doesn't have to be life altering to help, it can be simple changes (lightbulbs, watersaving toilettes, walking, public tranit, insulating your house, fuel efficient cars, recycle, etc...) small changes can make a big difference when the entire Country makes that change.

It doesn't have to be economically devastating either, many of the changes can save you money.
Many oil companies have even started up sustainable energy ventures, including Shell who now produces its own line of Solar Power Panels.

Lets use the facts that Scientists have provided us and make informed decisions, stop relying on others.
WE ARE THE CRUSADERS, WE ARE RESPONSIBLE!!

Answer 4

I think it is time that scientists take their responsabilities. In the kind of over-specialised society we live today, it is their job to tell the rest of the population exactly what's going on. People that are not related to science don't always see the great picture behind the facts and the data that the scientific community collects through out all the experiments going on in the world. It is the responsability of each scientist to explain and warn the public about the issues that come up and the knowledge that they have of those.

Even though, it is sad to see that another phenomenon happens at the same time in modern society, industry has taken a good part of control over the scientific knowledge, all in the name of patents, royalties and profit. This is very dangerous, because some information that would be vital to the understanding of global phenomenons is ''classified'', which means that it is unaccessible to the other scientists in the world to use to make a more accurate and complete evaluation of their research.

All in all, I think that scientists should cruisade not only for the climate, but also for any cause that raises problematics that the general public should be aware of, and that only the scientific community is able to discern and explain.

Answer 5

Yes some are. There are just as many on the other side who believe that this is normal. We had global warming and ice ages before man walked this planet.
We are so vain, we the superior life form, we really want to believe that we can effect 100% of the Earths surface even though humans only occupy 20% of the Land Mass.
We never could control the weather before, ask your local Rainmaker or Tornado chaser, but now all of a sudden we're the one who are causing the Polar Ice Caps to melt.
The Under Sea Volcano eruption that caused the Tsunami a few years ago, actually caused the Earths shape to change, did you even know that???? Yet we believe that running an inefficient toasters has caused all this change. Lets just forget all about the Smoke, Dust, and Poison Gas that come out of Volcanos all over this planet even under the oceans, the burning of the rain forests, which you can see the smoke from space, all that goes into our atmosphere.
We need to try and do everything we can to prevent pollution, we live here, no need to deliberately hurt the planet, there is no place else to go, but lets stop being so full of ourselves and see the change for what this truly is, a natural change that we have no control of. Isn't that what really scares us, that we have no control, so we make up that Global Warming is our fault, this way it looks like we have some sort of control and can fix it, buy buying a Smart Toaster. Stop buying your bottled water and you designer running clothes and really look at both sides, look for the truth and not the politically correct feel good side!!!!!

I want the all scientists to come to one answer, not a bunch of we thinks and maybes!!!!
We don't control the Earth.........it controls us!!!!

Answer 6

Crusaders...no.

Scientists report they don't reform.

They are not (yet) part of a movement to bring about climate correctives. (They will one day, when we all own up to having been too slow in acting and we turn to them for help.)

Oh! and for those not yet convinced that global warming is man-made. Wake up! And read a little.

If scientists are this week reporting that it is a 90% possibility (that humans are responsible for global-warming), let's not forget that they're under pressures not to say that it's 99% sure by billions of "up-and-comers" in fossil fuel usage. i.e. China (not a small population) And what is 90% in scientific terms... It means they're sure!(most-likely...whatever)

Where does the responsibility lie?

With each individual on Earth aware that the problem exists. If you think it's the world leaders who should deal with this, you're right if your government is a dictatorship. In a democracy, the people are the government and the people have the duty to act. How? Be pro-active, tell someone, change your life-style, use less energy and call up your local government representatives and let them know what you think. It's their job to listen. If they don't, be insistent. He or she represents you! Be well represented.

Let's not have people look back on our generation and say, "Why didn't they do anything?"

If not, Noah, start building.

Answer 7

If they haven't already then what are they waiting for? Scientists are also inhabitants of this planet and are effected by the climate changes just like everyone else. As a group they are usually the first to see a problem and usually the first to supply a solution.

Politician's as a group rarely pander to anything that won't get them votes, or worse may cost them votes. They also promote the agenda of those who supply the money for there elections. (George W Bush is a perfect example).

Yes, some scientists have questionable associates like some scientists who take money from Oil companies and large polluting industries then claim that global warming isn't real. But the majority of scientists have one important job requirement that politicians lack. Credibility.

Answer 8

Definitely yes! Somebody needs to get the ball rolling but we are beyond that already and now politicians and legislatures must take DRASTIC action.

We don't have time to wait and hum and haw about any of this. The time to take action is now. We must find alternative fuels to oil and coal (sorry Bush) and countries everywhere must operate by ONE standard.

This is not the case and what's expected of everyone in the Kyoto accord, and that's not right. All countries must meet these standards and these standards must become STRICTER for countries who have the capability and money to change.

We can't bankrupt ourselves in the process but certainly our governments have to take the initiatives and focus thier money on THIS situation right now.

The only things that should matter to every government if they want to see this planet survive is to care for the ENVIRONMENT and then to care for it's PEOPLE, healthcare first, and then financially to find alternate means of transportation and finally say goodbye to the ways of this past century when it comes to what we've used to fuel our transportation.

Plain and simple there is no other choice.

Polluters must be seriously fined if they do not comply.

It's a joke how much businesses get away with and the filth they spew into our air and water. It's time to put an end to that and NOW.

Within this year we need to see action, and the auto manufacturers must be the first to do so. All these junk-mobiles must be retired from the roads.

Every gas guzzling lawnmower should be taken off the market and retired as they are worse than an automobile can be. I'm sure there is much more out there than can be swiftly banned that could make a huge difference to our planet without crippling anyone but we need our government and manufacturers and businesses on board--immediately!

Answer 9

Actually what scientists can do is very limited, they have done lots of research and relative work on this subject but they have no power to take any action. What they can only do is keep on teaching people the importance of environmental protection, let more individual acknowledge this most important matter of the century and then do their own part to save the globe. Unfortunately not so many people in the world aware the urgency of this matter.
The Government is the most important party to exercise environmental protection BUT the Govt is ruled by the politicians, too bad there are so many politicians out there who knows almost nothing other than playing political games for 50 weeks a years. We really can't rely on them.
If climate change is driven by human beings, then it's the responsibility for every single person around the world to take their best action to protect the environment.

Answer 10

Scientists should most definitely become climate crusaders, this would be established through each countries Political format and a meeting of minds without Scientists monitoring Global warming to what end will the damage be. Like with war, Sanctions should be placed on those Countries failing to adhere to big change whatever the change, pollution of any sort can be controlled money should be of no conciquence this is our planet our home.

Answer 11

The responsibility should lie with everyone who gives a damn about the future not just the scientists. I do think however that if people are stupid enough not to listen to the people who have been doing the research and have actually looked for answers to the questions we are faced with today, then they at least deserve what they get. Day after day I hear people say things like "global warming is going to happen anyway, there's no way we can stop it" Well how the hell do you know? If it is true that global warming is inevitable that does'nt mean that we should ignore its effects and try to do something about it. Greenhouse gas emmissions are real, melting of the ice caps is a reality, floods, tornadoes, tsunami's, natural disasters...the list goes on and it is all real. Put all the ******** aside and take responsibility for your own environment. If you don't it will be the death of you and yours in one way or another. We should all be crusaders. The effects of our ignorance are abvious to anyone who has eyes and a nose. I don't need a scientist to tell me about global warming.