Climate of Denial
The esteemed conservative columnist, George Will, gave climate change deniers a great big Valentine this week with his “Dark Green Doomsayers” column rejecting climate change science. He expends many words talking about a silly 1970s Newsweek cover story announcing a new ice age — which even at the time was a fringe idea, though good copy — and celebrating the unfortunate fact that the American public isn’t very concerned about global warming and the grave threat it poses.
Of course, like his fellow climate change deniers, Will gets the facts wrong and the science wrong. And it apparently never occurs to him that a main cause of Americans’ relative unconcern about global warming is the many influential and partisan voices such as his out there creating a chorus of misinformation, fostering a climate of denial.
The real story, however is that climate change is our generation’s “Sword of Damocles,” to quote the latest missive from one of America’s top climate scientists and a true Eco Baron, NASA’s James Hansen:
Our global climate is nearing tipping points. Changes are beginning to appear, and there is a potential for explosive changes with effects that would be irreversible – if we do not rapidly slow fossil fuel emissions over the next few decades.
One very healthy sign, however, are the comments from readers of Will’s columns; even his fans are taking him to task.
Here’s an article George Will might like read: How to Beat Denial: A 12-Step Plan, from Ecologist Magazine.
Tags: California climate change, Eco Barons, Edward Humes, Global Warming, global warming denial
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March 5, 2009 at 4:19 am
[...] Climate of Denial, dated (impossibly) 10 Feb 09, “Of course, like his fellow climate change deniers, Will gets [...]
March 5, 2009 at 4:48 pm
[...] Climate of Denial [...]