It seems as though many people have financial interests in one side or the other on the global warming issue. One more reason to be slow to make a decision on the matter

Vince

Vince,

your logic may not make complete sense.

people's interests on one side or the other is irrelevant to the basic science:

We are drastically altering the chemical heat affecting (trapping) composition of the atmosphere. Heat plays a fundamental role in driving climate, so we would expect some climate alteration. Perhaps significant alteration. Coincidental or not, that is what we are observing, and scientists estimate that the probabilities of it being coincidental are between 1 and 10%. But even if it is coincidental, the first two facts remain. Heat drives climate, and we are increasing the heat trapping chemical components of the atmosphere, so it is going to have some type of long term effect. This is all basic science, and basic common sense.

Yet politics has somehow gotten in the way. And some misguided belief that environmental progress is not an economic good, or that the expenditures, substitute production methodologies, and technologies to address this problem are somehow a lesser component of GNP than anything else (this piece addresses these ideas, as well as the Bush Administration approach and environmental record, further).

Additionally, relevant or not, most people do not have financial interests in one side or another on the global climate change issues.

Minor point, but it seems like this might be yet another example of trying to twist interpretation to fit pre formulated belief. Basic science is what is is, most scientists know it, and here comes some "scientist" speaking out of his scientific ass, so to speak, and it turns out he is biased, os it is easy, if one does not want o change a belief that for whatever "political" or misguided economic reasons one has, to just dismiss it all by appplying the financial interests argument across the board.

people's interests on one side or the other is irrelevant to the basic science

It may be illrelevant to the science, but it is not illrelevant to the scientific interpretation. Since the interpretation is the most relevant part, I think I'll stick to my statement.

We are drastically altering the chemical heat affecting (trapping) composition of the atmosphere

While we may (key word) be affecting the climate, drastically is a great overstatement (IMO). I'm not a professional scientist (nor will I accept any self-serving statement that you are) and I don't play one on TV. Nonetheless, I'm willing to opinine on the issue. Humanity simply isn't that impressive a force against nature.

but it seems like this might be yet another example of trying to twist interpretation to fit pre formulated belief

Yes, a lot of that is seen on the Internet.

If you see the movie you will understand there is no debate about this in the scientific community. No article appearing in a peer-reviewed scientific publication has disputed the reality of global warming, the only debate is the rate of warming and the consequences.

It is a brialliant movie and I recommend it.

No article appearing in a peer-reviewed scientific publication has disputed the reality of global warming

In other words, no debate on the issue is allowed?

Vince

No debate on the existence of gravity either.

I think there's some confusion about what the controversy is... I don't think anyone disputes that global warming is occurring, at least I don't -- what I personally question is whether CO2 emissions from human activity is the primary cause.

Also, I'm not a physicist but I'm not sure anyone knows why gravity works. Wikipedia says: "While a great deal is now known about the properties of gravity, the ultimate cause of the gravitational force remains an open question and gravity remains an important topic of scientific research." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravity)

No debate on the existence of gravity either

Perhaps you never heard of Einstein? I heard he really changed the rules in that area of thought.

Vince

It's playing at the Westhampton 2, so maybe you will have a chance to see it and tell us what you think.

I live in Missouri

Vince