John R. Christy, a vocal non-believer of human-linked global warming, published “My Nobel Moment” in the Wall Street Journal on November 1. He was one of “thousands of members” on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) which shared the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize with Al Gore. (Christy 2007, A19)
There is logic to his argument that the globe has warmed before and that parts of the world are actually getting colder.
“The recent CNN report "Planet in Peril," for instance, spent considerable time discussing shrinking Arctic sea ice cover. CNN did not note that winter sea ice around
It is plausible that human provoked global warming is an easy answer for a more complex problem. We know about the Ice Age and sea levels rising during ancient history. Humans have a history of jumping to quick conclusions. McCarthyism was an example of this. (Oddly, the people I know who don’t believe that humans are responsible for global warming believe that Joseph McCarthy was right!)
Christy does admit that carbon dioxide is a byproduct of our current energy consumption.
“Without a doubt, atmospheric carbon dioxide is increasing due primarily to carbon-based energy production (with its undisputed benefits to humanity) and many people ardently believe we must "do something" about its alleged consequence, global warming.” (Christy 2007, A19)
But he believes that it is pointless to even try to reduce emissions.
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This is where his logic ceases to make any sense whatsoever unless he has something to gain by promoting the oil industry. Even if his case were valid, why not limit emissions? Do we also benefit from air pollution and particulate matter in our lungs? Perhaps, then, we should all drive Hummers grinning from lack of responsibility.
And, Christy has actually spoken favorably about carbon dioxide.
"It is our great fortune - because we produce so much of it - that carbon dioxide is not a pollutant. In simple terms, carbon dioxide is plant food. The green world we see around us would disappear if not for atmospheric carbon dioxide.”
(Transcript, John Christy's testimony before Senate Commerce Committee 5/17/00, http://www.exxonsecrets.org/html/personfactsheet.php?id=903)
In January, Exxon Mobil Corp. “stopped funding groups skeptical of global warming claims.” (MSNBC, “Exxon cuts ties to global warming skeptics,” Jan. 12, 2007 http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16593606/)
Oil companies have been funding this brand of phony science much like the tobacco industry funded “research” disclaiming smoking-related illnesses. Exxon Secrets.org, a Greenpeace project, lists Christy as one of Exxon’s cronies. Other oil companies continue to fund these skeptical “scientists.” (http://www.exxonsecrets.org/html/personfactsheet.php?id=903)
Ironically, Christy promotes healthy scientific skepticism in his commentary.
“Mother Nature simply operates at a level of complexity that is, at this point, beyond the mastery of mere mortals (such as scientists) and the tools available to us. As my high-school physics teacher admonished us in those we-shall-conquer-the-world-with-a-slide-rule days, ‘Begin all of your scientific pronouncements with 'At our present level of ignorance, we think we know . . .’”
Even if human activity minimally contributed to global warming, there is no reason to continue to pollute this planet for the health all life forms. But instead of facing facts and finding remedies, John R. Christy perhaps has chosen to sell his soul to an oil company for a price that is justified if he closes his eyes and holds his breath.
Watch this news video for more on this story and a clip of another carbon dioxide lover.
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