By Ian Johnston
James Lovelock, the maverick scientist who became a guru to the environmental movement with his “Gaia” theory of the Earth as a single organism, has admitted to being “alarmist” about climate change and says other environmental commentators, such as Al Gore, were too.
Lovelock, 92, is writing a new book in which he will say climate change is still happening, but not as quickly as he once feared.
He previously painted some of the direst visions of the effects of climate change. In 2006, in an article in the U.K.’s Independent newspaper, he wrote that “before this century is over billions of us will die and the few breeding pairs of people that survive will be in the Arctic where the climate remains tolerable.”
However, the professor admitted in a telephone interview with msnbc.com that he now thinks he had been “extrapolating too far.”
“Lovelock, is writing a new book in which he will say climate change is still happening, but not as quickly as he once feared.” He says it still happening and will still become a major issue for humans, but at a slower rate than he and many others thought ten or 20 years ago. So this posting is demonstrating, once again, the honesty and integrity of many of the maligned “conspiracy-connected” scientists.
I totally disagree with RNH. Lovelock, in typical liberal fashion, is saying Oh I’m not wrong, it’s just not happening as fast as we once feared. Which in reality he was, and is wrong. One of the quotes in this piece is:
“The world has not warmed up very much since the millennium. Twelve years is a reasonable time… it (the temperature) has stayed almost constant, whereas it should have been rising — carbon dioxide is rising, no question about that.”
Which is exactly what I have been saying for years. And for the longest time the alarmists were saying that it was going to warm as a result of the rising CO2, and now, at least this one, is changing his theory to fit the actual history, but it’s still wrong. Prof. Ian Clark pointed out long ago, while Eyeore’s sham of a movie was still in theaters, that the relationship between past warming and past CO2 levels was that the CO2 levels followed warming, not the other way around. But what do we get everytime there is another computer model created? We get more predictions of warming. But that is only because the models assume that CO2 causes warming, and they more than double the amount of CO2 by assuming a 1% increase every year when it has only been around 0.44% every year. Thus the alarmism.
So this posting is not “demostrating the honesty and integrity of many of the alarmist/warmist scientists. It is backpedalling on an original misconception that has been promoted to dogma status, and must be supported with faith because it is certainly not supported by any facts.
You know this is like some doomsday cult that has to change it’s theory everytime the “doomsday” comes and nothing happens. That’s global warming today!
So their first projections were off. Science works that way sometimes, if not often. Only time could have proven them right or wrong. It does appear disingenous, and for some the continued flow of grant money etc. certainly must have some effect, but none of it constitutes a conspriacy.
Wow, I agree with this statement 100%. But the fact that their projections were off was never the basis for thinking there is a conspiracy. The basis for a conspiracy is the UN’s IPCC, the Club of Rome, Al Gore, the media hype, and many other factors and actors. Iv’e been saying their projections were wrong for years. Are you going to give me any credit?
I believe I have given you some credit, rarely, but here and there. Whereas you argue all my points regardless of their soundness. Besides Neil, not to take away from your victorious moment, but even a stopped clock is correct twice daily. And I’m assuming you realize the difference between good ‘ol American opportunism and actual conspiracy…?
Besides, everyone knows doomsday is Dec. 21, 2012.
I just want to go on record to say that there will be no end of the world coming on Dec. 21st. It will be an unremarkable day, and life will still be going on Dec. 22nd. Although I do predict an apocalypse for Liberals on November 4th!
Sorry, election day is Nov 6th this year…… woops!
Today, 400 individuals have as much wealth as an entire HALF of America.
Yet it’s still argued by some conservatives that in real life the two extremes are split by a substantial group of average Americans in the middle. The income of the middle quintile, we are told, grew by over 35% percent between 1979 and 2007. But, as Jared Bernstein points out, 35% over 28 years is 1.1% per year, over a period when productivity grew at twice that rate. Census data shows that the inflation-adjusted salary of a full-time male worker in 2010 was almost exactly the same as in 1979. So whata you say? Well the cost of everything is MUCH more now than it was then.
In real life just 2 percent of Americans own HALF of all wealth outside the home. The top quintile owns 93% of all wealth outside the home. The “poor” half of America owns nothing outside of their homes, because most of them owe more than they own. And their homes have lost much of their
value.
Unless it’s all because of global warming, I don’t care. And I don’t despise wealthy people like you and your Lib pals do. If I could figure out how to get rich I would. And then there is the time, energy, and effort they put into earning, managing, and growing their wealth, and don’t forget the risks they take to procure that wealth.They didn’t steal their money from poor people!
When you talk about the rich I get the feeling that you are jealous.
It isn’t the richness, necessarily that I/we are opposed to (but then again how much IS enough??). It’s the power and control of schulbs like you and me we oppose. Again, there have been forces/groups who have thoughout history have been needed to help guide and even push at times the enlightenment of the ignorant and scared masses. The creation of America is a huge example of this. But it’s a constant battle, not only with the inexplicable indifference of people like you but also plain old ignorance and fear of change, etc. And for God’s sake of course I’m jealous of the rich and would love to be one! Holy cow, what a ridiculous statement. But that doesn’t mean I would be an evil one, there are many who aren’t. You really simply don’t get what I’m talking about no matter how I present it. It is really amazing to me, and also depressing too. People like you go thru live learning virtually nothing of importance, and in self-imposed ignorance, all the while believing otherwise. But as I’ve estimated a solid third of the masses are like that unfortunately. It truly must be because of brain wiring or a mental block or both. You will take offense to this, and I guess I really don’t blame you for that. I know I sound very conceited, it is what it is. (“the risks they take” OMG. They do everything in their powers, of which they have a lot in most cases, NOT TO RISK anything, thus the control of politicians and government to insure success, for themselves) You really do not have a clue as to any of this. I might as well be typing Greek.
Money = power. It always has and unfortunately always will. The historical battles for liberty and freedom have ALWAYS gone up against that, and again always will, and are currently facing an ever increasing (as noted above) foe. And when liberty and freedom prevail, the ignorant 1/3 benefit also, as they should. By believing I and people are your foes, is truly sad and very frustrating. Because if we had you on our side, OMG, that is what mankind has wished for since being kicked out of the Garden of Eden. No biggie, Neil, nothing to get too worked up about, be indifferent…!?!?
Yes. Generally speaking, money = power. Who has all the money? Government. It’s government that has the power to take from some and give to others – generally the friends of those in power, especially with an administration like Obama’s. For liberty to prevail, it is government that must be checked, not private businesses conducting voluntary transactions. Coca Cola can’t force me to buy their product. Uncle Sam can force me to fork over 1/3 to 1/2 of my earnings for redistribution, however and Obama believes he has the power to force me to buy an insurance product I may or may not want. That’s power. Too much power.
Yes, sure Dan, but without government there would only be chaos. The main problem with government today is that it is joined at the hip with corporate companies. And They are also the ones with the Money, they help decide elections (based on candidates then beholden to Them, not us) because money is involved. The first thing we need to do is get money out of elections. Pure and simple. Why don’t/won’t you agree with that? You are blind to the other side of the coin that’s why. You are beholden in some warped way to money and power just as much as our government has become, that’s also why. We need you Dan. Wake up and seek true freedom and liberty, just as the Founding Fathers did. And I’m not suggesting communism, so don’t go there.
“Without government there would only be chaos.” That is true but the STATES have their own governmental bodies to govern the state. The Fed govt was never supposed to weild the power it does now over the states. It was never meant to be a centralised system. It’s too big now and needs to be reigned in.
Ok, great, let’s start where most of the waste is- the MIC. Easy.
By the rich/wealthy (again as noted above) I am NOT talking about the average guy/gal out there making it happen for themselves by energy and ingenuity etc. You Rightys constantly refer to that type of individual, when we are talking about a whole other type. THE TYPE THAT RUNS THIS COUNTRY AND THE WORLD, at the expense of liberty, freedom and even justice for the masses. That they continue to do unless and until stopped, by us, you and me. But actually Neil, while you have given me some slim rays of hope for substantial discussions with you about these things, I give up on you. You probably will be pleased by this. But I will probably keep posting, I just will not respond to you directly, as I have done with the truly mindless here like our friend Joe, and before him Paul. So you win, I guess.
After cutting the MIC down to something less than insane and self-destructive economically (not to mention in other ways) here’s another great idea who’s time has come (by Cliff Schecter):
Harvard economist, Jeffrey Miron, released a study showing the “Drug War” started by Reagan and thru the current Prez is costing us $13.7 billion a year. Ernest A. Canning points to some statistics reported on Democracy Now! showing that “over the last 40 years, more than 45 million drug-related arrests have cost an estimated $1 trillion.”
Hmm, I can’t think of any better way we could have spent this money, can you?
But I do know some neo-conservative types who seemingly kneel down in prayer a few times a day to make supple offerings to the graven idol of The Balanced Budget. You’d think they might notice a statistic like this and do something to save money being wasted on imprisoning people who take their mind altering substances through the beer bong, as opposed to a funnel, filter or medically approved prescription pill bottle. Although, as Paul Ryan has found out when weighing raising taxes on ascots vs slashing social program, it’s just so much easier and more fun to cut basic healthcare programs from kids than to honestly tackle real problems.
I’ve no comment regarding tracing money sources. But as far as annoucing Lovelock’s book, my feeling is that this was one of those important green planet issue that truly needed a forum such as this to get a little spot light thrown on it. And, I’d be very happy to see many more green topics such as this one posted again along with the opinionated threads. Thank you. Mark
Um… The planet is green? I thought it was blue!
Yeah Mark, sheesh! And people like Neil are making it black and blue. (see? I can match your inanity with an inanity!)
Black and blue is better than green and red!
Rob you are a joke! You will continue to post because the man is still paying you to do so. You are a progressive and will always follow the rules as such. Your concern for the common Joe is laughable. You have been preaching the gospel of Gore for so long you can’t handle true science. Gore actually gave up….will you? No! Just move your topic to blame some rich people and use the same tactic. I see right through you.
Dan, Great job!!! Voter ID will go thru! Thanks to you!
Hal, apparently you don’t see thru me, cuz you always get your rants wrong. Par for the course, every hole is a dog-leg to the Right.
Our Reagan initiated War on Drugs was the beginning of police state America, and the precursor to our War on Terror. Combined, we have millions of Americans employed monitoring, oppressing and imprisoning millions of other Americans (minor drug offenses) while the owner-ruler classes live in luxury and enjoy the profits from this corrupt system.
Without the drug wars, and keeping pot illegal, the present profit systems would suffer greatly, including even Big Pharma.
Human meaning, value and justice is not considered much anymore by anyone, including our leadership. It’s not profitable. We Americans are sleep-walking our way into a Police State. Wait, I just woke up- we’re already there…
It was Nixon who coined the term “war on drugs”. It is obvious you don’t know of what you speak. And you can’t blame it all on Republicans either. Here, I did a search for the history of the war on drugs, and even I was surprised to find out how long the the war on drugs has been evolving. Well, you can read it yourself:
http://civilliberty.about.com/od/drugpolicy/tp/War-on-Drugs-History-Timeline.htm
Neil- you know what ODD is? I suggest you look THAT up and seek professional help. I didn’t state who coined the phrase above, because I was making a Different point- about when it started for real. AND (omg) I didn’t blame it on just Republicans- and not only that but everyone with a working brain and a halfway decent memory knows it hasn’t stopped under ANY President or administration, mainly for the deadly fear that that person/s would look soft on Drug/Crime whatever… And so cutef you to try to teach me about it. It takes more than a quick search and look up to really know about such things. I takes YEARS of paying attention
Hood guy, for a guy that posts as much left wing liberal propaganda as you and quite often may I ask how you get your work done at your alleged job as well as other duties? Simply curious.
Soros/DNC ring a bell? Let us know.
Didn’t you know Joe? This is one of his jobs.
Is it your job/s? Rather than challenge me to details and/or logic and reasoning you post such drivel? Far from impressive boys.
Hoodnik… The problem with your way of thinking is SIMPLE…. What I BELIEVE is FACT and nobody should argue that !!! It’s you LIEberals that claim to be so OPEN-MINDED but with the stipulation that we must agrre with your thinking. You sir, are not open-minded because you have CONVICTION, FLAWED as it may be, in my open-minded OPINION !!! People with conviction aren’t open-minded because you belive one way and I believe the other. I do believe you may be an INTELLIGENT person, but not TOO SMART, if you get my drift??? BOTTOM LINE, when you condemn other indivduals way of thinking, you’re not __________
There were 160 tornados reported on March 2nd of this year. Remember that, in April of 2011, 900 tornadoes were ripping up interior United States, and this April was similarly volatile. Remember the unprecedented wildfires, the catastrophic floods, the heat waves, the bizarrely hot North American January and other oddities? That’s science fiction of the scariest sort, and we’re in it. Or on it, on the crazy new planet we’ve made ourselves. Here in the USA sector of Eaarth in the year 2012, 15,000 high-temperature records were broken in March alone, and summer is yet to come. A town in north-central Texas hit 111 degrees — in April! Is it just nature? Possibly. But if we are having an effect shouldn’t we try to mitigate it? What are we afraid of? Change? (Please don’t go to the tired old answer of “it will cost more.” EVERYTHING costs more, and if things get worse, well, that will cost more too).
This Just In:
The Heartland Institute has launched one of the most offensive billboard campaigns in U.S. history. The Chicago-based anti-science think tank is comparing all those who accept climate science — and the journalists who report on it accurately — to Charles Manson, the Unabomber, and Osama Bin Laden.
This may become the worst idea for a billboard campaign EVER. Not cheap either.
Old Hood guy. Your heart is into this continued anti-business, or is it? Liked your post that you were actually jealous. I hear this from friends that have never worked or had a goal but want the same as me. I simply tell tell them to get off their arse and get a job, set goals and go for your dreams yet most sit at home awaiting the postman. bring their monthly check to make them feel good. Unfortunately they seem to be hard of hearing after receiving a new hearing aid for free compliments of you and me. It will never change until they are forced to change called working for a living. Life is choices. I, as well as the general public are not a bank or government with (our) unlimited resources?
Now you’re lecturing for being honest? Being occasionally jealous of anything doesn’t mean I proceed thru life based on that, in fact I chose a field destined for middle class or less based upon wanting to better the world vs. accumulation of money and things. Only those who are monks or dishonest are not occasinally jealous of the rich. Before you go around lecturing self-righously you need to be more honest about yourself. But I don’t think you can, so nevermind. You belong to a CULTURE and a SOCIETY and you are OBLIGATED to play by it’s rules and pay your fair share like anyone else. You, and many Righty, are so twisted that you are jelaous of the poor and disadvantaged, at least my jealousy makes SENSE.
I came from nothing and earned (worked) for every dime I possess and probably tithe more than the average person. Do you? It is not a “lecture” just a simple factual statement of my life. Something I see lacking today. Dedicated to never live off the teat of government. Pay exorbinate taxes for “working.” No handouts, no SS, et al. If you disagree, you have a major problem. I laugh when you say “jealous of the poor and disadvantaged.” I was when I was young but learned long ago that there is “no free lunch” in life. Life is choices. Something I sense you have never learned or were ever taught by your elders.