Noted anti-global-warming scientist reverses course

[teko]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_upshot/20100831/sc_yblog_upshot/noted-anti-global-warming-scientist-reverses-

Tue Aug 31, 2:17 pm ET
Noted anti-global-warming scientist reverses course
By Brett Michael Dykes
           Buzz up!338 votes ShareretweetEmailPrintBy Brett Michael Dykes brett Michael Dykes – Tue Aug 31, 2:17 pm ET
With scientific data piling up showing that the world has reached its hottest-ever point in recorded history, global-warming skeptics are facing a high-profile defection from their ranks. Bjorn Lomborg, author of the influential tract "The Skeptical Environmentalist," has reversed course on the urgency of global warming, and is now calling for action on "a challenge humanity must confront."

Lomborg, a Danish academic, had previously downplayed the risk of acute climate change. A former member of Greenpeace, he was a vocal critic of the Kyoto Protocol -- a global U.N. treaty to cut carbon emissions that the United States refused to ratify -- as well as numerous other environmental causes.

"The Skeptical Environmentalist," published in 2001, argued that many key preoccupations of the environmental movement, including pollution control and biodiversity, were either overblown as threats or amenable to relatively simple technological fixes. Lomborg argued that the governments spending billions to curb carbon emissions would be better off diverting those resources to initiatives such as AIDS research, anti-malaria programs and other kinds of humanitarian aid.

[Photos: The world's most polluted places]

Lomborg's essential argument was: Yes, global warming is real and human behavior is the main reason for it, but the world has far more important things to worry about.

Oh, how times have changed.

In a book to be published this year, Lomborg calls global warming "undoubtedly one of the chief concerns facing the world today" and calls for the world's governments to invest tens of billions of dollars annually to fight climate change.

Lomborg's former foes in the environmental movement are so far unimpressed by news of his conversion. Calling him a "shrewd self-promoter," Grist.org's Jonathan Hiskes marveled at Lomborg's ability to "play the media" in simply "adopting a position already held by millions of sensible people." And Friends of the Earth climate campaigner Mike Childs told the U.K. Guardian, "It appears that the self-styled skeptical environmentalist is beginning to become less skeptical as he enters middle age."

[teko]

I believe and always have believed that the majority of what is happening was predicted thousands of years ago, however, with that said, I also think common sense is in order as well. With all the technology that all the nations hve, would have to if you have any common sense at all, would have to be playing a part. I have nothing for Al Gore and feel like he has gone a long way in making this a real issue. I do think we should procede with caution, and at the very least it will create jobs and calm global fears on this issue by being on board with it.

[adgal]

It's unfortunate that this issue was "used" as a way to just make money.  I still think all the evidence points to the fact that there is something to this.  If nothing else, it's as iladvocate points out...we do need to focus energy and time on renewable resources..eventually that oil will be gone.  And we do have to stop polluting our planet.  Whether global warming is fact or fiction, I don't think anyone can argue against that.

[ILADVOCATE]

Al Gore has done enough to discredit himself with his inflated ego. The cost of researching renewable energy is far less than the research to prove or disprove global warming and far more beneficial.

[margypops]

wow... you took the words out of my mouth I think you are right ...they did ...nawww he thought it all up himself with Gore's help .they certainly made a bundle of money from it ...more than Palin has thats for sure .Gore bought a $9 Million mansion last year..and all the' green' companies fleecing the public are making a ton of money ..but hey I dont mind ....this country is based on Capitalism isnt it......

[teko]

If my memory serves me right, Fox news used this guys views to further promomte their view that we have more immediate concerns than global warming. I wonder what they think of him now and if they are still using him to promote their views or!



Wait for it! Wait for it!


Obama's goons got to him. That's the only logical explanation. ;)

[ILADVOCATE]

The problem appears to be if its proven that there is the concern of potential further regulations of the environment that might be costly but there should be an understanding the idea should be researched independently and any ideas if climate change is identified as being caused by people should be to find working ways to reduce carbon dioxide emissions such as promoting renewable fuels rather than increasing taxes or regulations which has had many positive results in general such as reducing known sources of pollution and dependency on foreign oil. Many newly constructed buildings use renewable sources of energy such as solar power which are quite cost effective and there should be more research into that.

[adgal]

Once again, I think it would be a mistake to completely dismiss the idea of global warming.  I still believe it is part of the earth's natural cycle, but I also believe we have added to the problem.  I think most scientists feel that way...at least based on what I have read.