Do you people really believe that co2 causes global warming? (recycle, gas)

[UpperPeninsulaRon]

Originally Posted by riveree

We should look twice, three times even, but in the meantime, we don't want to get too caught up in the "thinking" when we could be "doing".

As individuals, we can only control what happens in our own lives for the most part, so question away, but don't let it prevent you from making positive changes, right?

First point - Fire, Ready, Aim is a very dangerous thing. Or, if firearms is not your thing, how about the carpenters rule - Measure twice, cut once. I do not see the twice or three times thinking.

Second point - I agree that individuals should should always strive to make positive changes.

[cohdane]

The thing that disturbs me the most about the "wait and see" or "wait until they PROVE it" argument is that it's almost an exact echo of the tactics the tobacco companies used beginning in the late 1950's when scientists developed a "theory" or "hypothesis" that smoking cigarettes was causing cancer.

In response, the tobacco companies, said the scientists hadn't PROVED the link.

Guess what, they still haven't proven the causal relationship between smoking cigarettes and cancer.

The tobacco companies invented the idea of "junk science." They repeatedly told the public that the science showing a link between cigarettes and cancer was speculative, faulty or exaggerated. All they had to do was plant enough doubt in the public's mind to make it appear to be controversial, when in fact, no controversy existed amongst reputable scientists.

Then they did the same thing in denying addiction. And denying the effects of second hand smoke.

Here's a metaphor to apply to today's global warming "controversy": It's 1954. You're smoking a pack a day and just heard that scientists believe it causes cancer (among other nasty things). Do you make the hard choice and give up cigarettes immediately or do you wait until the debate between the tobacco companies and the scientists is settled?

The planet's life is on the line.

[tallrick]

Exactly. I think the whole CO2 scare is just another way to prmote an agenda. More Government control is their goal.

[Wicked Felina]

Originally Posted by tallrick

Exactly. I think the whole CO2 scare is just another way to prmote an agenda. More Government control is their goal.

Would you kindly tell us who "they" might be? And, most importantly, what is this secret agenda? Would you please be specific, rather than throwing out wild generalizations? I'd really like to know what this "agenda" is, and why you think CO2 is a "scare."

Have to tell you tallrick, that one about the potato famine is a whopper. .

"Exacty", you say. Did you even read codhane's post. Are you deliberately trying to be silly?

[Niners fan]

Originally Posted by tallrick

Exactly. I think the whole CO2 scare is just another way to prmote an agenda. More Government control is their goal.

tallrick - I agree!

[Mathguy]

Sadly, you have the "Day After Tomorrow" crowd on the far left preaching complete planetary destruction and then you have the "I oppose them because they are democrats" crowd on the far right with many that won't admit the earth is even warming citing such gems as "they had record snowfall in march in boise" as proof. <sigh>

So for the rational people that haven't drank political cool-aid...
First off, no reasonable person wants more CO2 in the air as in general it's linked with pollution, air quality etc. So, for this reason alone we have an incentive to reduce CO2 emissions.

The sticking point is HOW, HOW FAST and HOW MUCH COST.

Remember, the european signers of Kyoto have had emission increases GREATER than that of the US...so remember the rest of the world will cheat or just not follow along some silly unenforceable document. So, our best chance is to reduce CO2 emissions for reasons we KNOW are true...saving money by consuming less fuel, improving air quality etc. You can argue global warming or not all you like a case can be made without even referencing it.

[krakenten]

Second hand smoke is an iffy proposition-the numbers are not that solid.

But smoking cigarettes will kill you-they were called coffin nails as far back as the 1920's

As to the debate on warming-there are hot and cold cycles in the planet's life, and some evidence that the warm periods actually bring on the ice ages.

Still, resources are finite, so cutting back might not be so bad, after all, the Unibomber said so.

Loudly.

Living things have made great changes in the planet-our oxygen atmosphere is a result of green plants, whole geological eras are marked by the impact of living things.

This gets so complicated!

[Wicked Felina]

Originally Posted by Niners fan

tallrick - I agree!

With what?

[Niners fan]

Originally Posted by SeeBee

With what?

See tallrick's original statement below.

Originally Posted by tallrick

Exactly. I think the whole CO2 scare is just another way to prmote an agenda. More Government control is their goal.

I suspected that you don't read things you disagree with!

[PNW-type-gal]

I don't know many geologists, oceanographers, glaciologists or paleoclimatolgists who are out for world control. None, in fact.