Was Gore's movie on climate change a mistake?

Question

I'm convinced a good 75% of people on the right would be willing to accept the factual science/data on climate change if not for the fact that it's seen as a "Liberal" cause.

They feel that they must be contrary to the international scientific community (lousy foreigner commies), and Al Gore (lousy American pinko lefty) no matter what evidence is put before them.

If Newt had made the movie, there would be no debate on the issue.

clk4cb - A "nuclear winter" would be caused by global nuclear warfare fallout blocking the sun. That was no hype. You obviously don't even know what the term means.

And climatologists are not weather men. They research long-term trends and histories to develop and analyze patterns.

You seriously do not have a clue about anything related to the subject.

Answer 1

I think this board gives the mistaken impression that conservatives don't accept the human influence on climate change.

In reality, essentially all Republican politicians (with only one or two notable exceptions) accept that humans are significantly contributing to global warming. Bush has mentioned this many times, as early as 2002 (he even pledged in his 2000 campaign to regulate carbon emissions). McCain has proposed a carbon cap & trade bill, and both Giuliani and Brownback have stated that it's undeniable that humans are a major influence in GW.

The problem is that many of the most vocal conservatives here are the extreme fringe, and they take their marching orders only from Rush, who must be controversial to get listeners.

As a liberal, it bothers me that the quality of science education is so poor that people buy what this fool is selling, but I'm comforted that the mainstream of America, and even the mainstream of the Republican party, agrees with Gore and the overwhelming majority of climate scientists. And in the end, we are a nation run by the mainstream, not the fringe.

Answer 2

I'll give some thought to climate change when the people who are pushing the idea start living the way they tell us we should live. People like Al Gore must get a laugh out of the people who buy into the whole idea.

Answer 3

Just because Al Gore "invented the Internet," hugs trees. and kisses Gray spotted owls, does make him an expert on anything except being a politician.
I don't deny climate change, but this world has existed for so long that clime change is a natural occurring factor of it's very existence.
This ridiculous belief that people are destroying the planet has been screamed for far too long. If you really want to worry about something, worry about the things we can control, not those we cannot. Most of all quit preaching to me about how to live me life -- especially when the preaching comes from a guy with a private jet, and a $1600 a month electric bill.

Answer 4

No. Those folks are against truth, fact, evidence, reality, and science no matter what.

They said much the same things before Gore's movie, now they just add Gore-bashing to the old drivel.

Gore's movie has opened the eyes of many who were on the fence, or only sort of understood what's going on, and energized them and people who already pretty-much got it.

On the whole, I'd say it has had much positive effect, and hardly hurt the cause at all.

Answer 5

As long as we keep the debate within the political realm, conservatives vs liberals, we'll never ever begin to face the issue. As a result of Al Gore's movie my 10 year old insisted that we trade-in our SUV and buy a smaller fuel efficient car. Which we did. At his insistence, we are building a new efficient home. It is a real challenge and my son meets with our architects to learn what they are doing to attack the problem of an inefficient house. I am glad that my son is so interested. As a conservative spending/investing in lifestyle changes is a real personal challenge.

Answer 6

Another conservative here--who heard all the hype of a nuclear winter coming in the 70s......at least there was not this much hysteria. Climatologist can't predict the weather 7 days in advance with any certainty--and there is no evidence this is man-made.....or how do you explain the polar caps on Mars shrinking? So no--not even if Newt embraced global warming would I freak out--especially if he was profiting like Gore by selling 'carbon credits'.

Answer 7

The fallacy in your assertion is blaming the right when you should be blaming Gore.

Al Gore is the man that took global warming and made it a political issue instead of a human issue. He has draped himself in the religion of Global Warming for self-engrandizement solely. I assert that Al Gore is one of the biggest villians in the global warming debate because he made it a partisan issue. You call his movie a mistake, I say that the man made a calculated move by taking this human issue and making it a political platform. Beyond his outrageous energy wasting home and his Hollywood cronies huge energy wasting lifestyles, Gore is the true villlian here.

You are also incorrect when you say "if Newt made this movie...". You would have just as much partisan bickering from the left and you know it. If George Bush said the sky is blue you would have plenty of your leftist brethren claiming it is yellow.

That being said you are right. Because Gore has used this issue as a political cudgel to beat the Rights head with, you have many people who appear to be anti-environment who are truly just anti-Gore.

Answer 8

Al Gore is all about controlling others freedoms.
Global Warming is a tool to undermine individual freedoms.

Mother Earth is much more resilient than Mr. Gore supposes and those who wish to surrender their freedoms to the liberal elites of our world.

Global Warming is a political TOOL only.

Our planet will correct itself in cyclical patterns. Humans are NOT as powerful as the liberal freedom robber pretend.

Answer 9

I find such questions about who is addressing a particular important subject such as what's happening to the environment useless.

The messenger isn't the subject. The subject is what needs to be addressed. Someday shortly a lot more folks are going to kick themselves for their short sighted mindsets.

Oh, and I'm no fan of the job the former Vice President did with his movie and book. There is far more damning evidence on the table, far older than his research sources.

And worse of all, he refused to address the most damning source for the problem: global overpopulation. Failing to see the most important issue contributing to the downfall of this planet will damn any hope of resolving the problem.

Answer 10

I am a conservative and I do not dispute the earth atmosphere is warming slightly...what I do not accept is the theory that man is the sole cause for this rise. The earth is millions of years old and goes through normal warming and cooling periods. The main reason for this less than 1 degree temperature rise is primarily due to the suns increased activity. Keep in mind it was this same crowd in the 70's that were hysterical about....yes....global cooling.