A question for the anti-global warming crowd…?

Question

Obviously the issue of global warming is very politically charged and there’s scientific disagreement on its causes and potential impact. Nonetheless, what’s the harm in trying to be more environmentally conscience? From my perspective, it seems like the environmentalists have nothing to gain by lying about global warming (other than a clean environment); big business, however, has a tremendous amount to gain by pretending there’s no such thing as global warming. In either case, wouldn’t it be a good thing to lower our dependence on foreign oil, lower fossil fuel emission, and care about the planet a little more? If any of you have ever been to Heidelberg, Germany and compared their local environment to that of say Mexico City, the benefits of being pro-environment are obvious. Any thoughts?

Answer 1

Because it hurts business and could destroy our economy.

It also gives the government power over almost every single business in the USA. What business doesn't produce some sort of carbon emissions?

It also allows the wealthy to do whatever they want while the poor people have to live by certain rules. In one month, Gore uses more fossil fuels in just one of his mansions than the average home uses in a year. However, he buys "carbon offsets," so he doesn't have to live by the laws he wants to create.

The environmentalists have everything to gain by lying. They get power. They get to dictate how we live our lives. They get to steal money from businesses through taxes in order to create jobs for them and their friends.

We'd love to reduce our dependency on foreign oil, but the environmentalists won't let us drill for our own oil.

Sorry, but there is a lot riding on this issue. When has it ever happened that we gave the government some power and they relinquished it? The turnpikes were only supposed to be a toll road until the building costs were paid for. Social Security taxes were never supposed to be more than 3% of your income - NEVER.

When the government gets power, they abuse it - always. If you give them power over every business in this country, it will bring us down to nothing.

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Answer 2

There's nothing wrong with trying to live a little greener.

I don't drive a hybrid but I got a 2 door ford escort (smaller cars burn less gas and saves money)

I don't like to leave lights or radios on when not needed (saves energy and money)

I'm even thinking about those weird 7-year light bulbs that are supposed to use less energy. (Again, environment and money saved)

What I do see a problem with is that America is being pushed by the rest of the world to cut it's energy use by almost half while also being pressured to invest in foreign countries to help them be more energy efficient.

China, America's biggest competitor for energy use, is perfectly ok with the amount it's using, and according to the Kyoto treaty, is aloud to produce more than it already is!

If these bills were passed to help the world, then there would be no double-standard; everyone should work together to reduce emissions. This is apparently not the case.

Another thing that makes me upset is the double-standard of Global warming's biggest supporter, Al Gore. He has made millions by advocating reduced energy consumption, which is ok. If you believe in something there is nothing wrong with profiting from it.

But Al Gore supposedly uses 20 times the energy in just one of his houses (he has 2). When he went to Congress to talk about global warming, he was asked if, since he believes global warming to be such a threat, would he bring his own emissions down to the average level in one year. He said no. He insists that his investment in green energy offsets his incredible use.

What this translates into is this; if you have enough money, you can burn all the oil you want, just invest in green projects. And the worst part is that he owns the company he's investing into for green points. So basically the money comes right back to him.


So if the world wants to get serious about global warming, then it should get serious about global warming.

Answer 3

LordEdwards... I don't disagree with you at all (that we could be a little nicer to the planet), however my issues with the "global warming" issue are extensive.

Here's one example... Al Gore and his buddies gain political power (aka $$$) with an alarmist agenda. He does not and can not understand the problem at the level of detail required because he is not a climatologist or a meteorologist (or a historic archeologist, etc, etc.) His expertise is selling people on ideas... or, what do they call that.... POLITICS. Making a film about the destruction of the planet does no good without suggesting solutions. Liberals are very good at this. (I know Conservatives are in bed with big oil, but who isn't... REALLY?) Check out this article on which is "greener" a Toyota Prius, the choice of environmentalists everywhere, or the H2 Hummer, the evil gas-guzzling beast all Republicans drive. (Link below)

I'm not saying dump your toxic waste in the river or spray your hairspray in the face of baby seals, but come on. The majority of scientists believe the earth is in a natural cycle of heating and cooling and historically carbon dioxide levels have been 100 times higher than they are today (before humans I might add). But as always in this country, the squeaky wheel gets the grease (or in Al Gore's case something a bit more environmentally friendly). I say bring on global warming that way my house (in Ohio) could be 80 degrees everyday, and I will be on the beach (sorry New York).

Answer 4

Because if there is no problem you are expending valuable resources to address something false when there are real issues that need to be addressed. This has very little to do with being environmentally conscience. The proposed solutions are designed to destroy our economy and the economies of the free world.

Don't you get it? No matter how much you clean up your operations no matter how much money and effort as spent it is never enough. The people driving this are not serious environmentalists. They are socialists.

Look, you are a fine example. Al Gore claims to believe in Global Warming. Yet he still flies around in private jets burning thousands of gallons of jet fuel unnecessarily. He has several huge estates that use enormous amounts of electricity and gas even though few people live in them. Now here is my question for you. You believe in all this global warming, would you do those things I have listed? If you thought that we are in dire straits and need to cut CO2 emissions now. Would you do what he is doing? Of course you wouldn't. So why is he? There is only one answer. HE KNOWS IT IS NOT TRUE!!!

You are being duped.

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Answer 5

Good point here. But where is the big businesses interest in claiming that global waring is not human caused? There is a limited supply of oil and they know it. However, by reducing the demand for oil by making more fuel efficient cars they can not only quell the demand for the design of cars that run on alternative fuel (there by ensuring not getting anything money at all), but also it would give them more time to get into the whole alternative energy game. (BP and Chevron are both trying to now).

I think big companies are catching on to this (mostly cause they know that when production peaks coupled with the ever growing rise in demand prices will reach a critical point far before supplies are exhausted) and it is in there own interest to quell demand in a few years.

OR maybe they would make more by letting the demand reach that critical point w/o alternatives and that would really be scary!

Someone should really crunch those numbers.

OK OK OK !! Big Oil is evil you got me!

P.S. wearewarm is my new hero, that answer is some astounding stuff there!

Answer 6

What is this,Pascals Wager for environmentalism?However your point is very flawed when you argue that environmentalists have nothing to gain by lying. The huge cash cow that is the billions in private and government grants are enough to keep them saying whatever it takes to keep the money coming in. Add to that all the billions others have invested in "alternative energy" in things that at the moment can not turn a profit without government subsidies or government mandate forcing everyone to use them. The incentives to lie are huge,just as huge on the environmentalist side as on the corporate side.

AD

Answer 7

Environmentalist have nothing to gain? Seriously? First off, an Oscar, second, money, third, a place to speak their ideas. Plus, the Polar Ice Caps are melting, says our good man Al Gore. So what? Ice being less dense than water, that would actualluy mean once the ice melted, the space displaced by said ice would be less! Physics, what a wonderful thing. Do not get me wrong, let us all treat this earth with the stewardship it deserves. But, don't tell me these crack pot Chicken Little scientist have nothing to gain. Let the thumbs down begin!

Answer 8

What's the harm? The cost... You come up with the alternatives at a reasonable price and I'll be happy to shift to those alternatives.

You sit and preach about how you want Universal Health Care, bums off the streets, and silver spoons in every working class mouth, but you don't tell us where and how to do this. So when your fanatics come up with ways for people to afford everything without printing money at the mint that is worth no more than Monopoly cash.... Fill the rest of us in.

one dollar = .74 Euro

Answer 9

Whelp you are right that it is politically charged. However I must point out that it is the same democratic crowd pushing Global Warming that hasn't allowed any domestic drilling for oil (to lessen foreign oil dependance) or allowed any new nuclear reactors to be built (lessening emmissions from coal burning). As far as I'm concerned it's been an awfully snow and cold filled April in the Great Lakes region. Where's the warmth?

Answer 10

Actually, environmentalists have much to gain by lying about global warming. Many of the scientists can get more grants to do more studies. Those who wish to restrict certain business practices now have what is seen as a valid reason. There are many benefits.