Newt Gingrich: The Sun, Not Humans Control Climate Change -Do You Agree?

Comments

[Magnus]

I agree, except that I think we shall not take any action as if human emissions of GHG is totally controls and may destroy our world. There is not even close to any evidence that it does, and the climate models of today is proven to not explain ongoing changes in the atmosphere.

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I think we can have energy and resource saving taxes -- in China and India as well as in the West (now we only have it in the West, and IPCC, James Hansen and Al Gore defend that China and India shall have no energy or carbon regulation) -- but shall avoid any draconic politics (such as the cap-and-trade 5-years plan economy).

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There is too much hot air about hybrid cars and other stuff explained as the technologíes and market solutions to a climate crises. The electricity is most often 80-90 percent fossile, and I agree with 31000+ scientists and at least 1/3 of all the climate scientists (Bray, Storch; 1996, 2003) that there is no climate crises.

I think that the climate alarmism as mass hysteria has the potential to destroy our sociaties in many ways.

[borealis]

I stopped listening to the rest of his talk after he said that the Gulf Stream stopped 11,000 years ago. That is not true, it slowed down but never stopped at that time period. This period is referred to as the Younger Dryas, you can look it up, and there was a period that is still in debate about 16 to 17,000 years ago when the Gulf Stream is indeed have been suggested to stop, known as the Heinrich event. And, I also rather disagree with what he has to say about climate change, it is occurring now and models do predict that the increased levels of greenhouse gases indeed have had an effect and are validating many of the changes. Natural climate variability is also an important component. Just read the IPCC report. SO, if he can't get details right about past climate, I myself can't believe the rest of what he is saying. In any case, I don't think it even matters whether dumped carbon and methane will disturb climate, humans shouldn't be excreting these substances in the atmosphere anyway.

[nepharous]

Why would anyone take this hack seriously. He is not a scientist. He supported Sara Palin as the new face of the GOP. While HOuse Speaker he was impeaching Clinton for for a BJ and claiming to be the moral torchbearer while at the same time cheating on his wife. This sick hypocrtical bastard belongs in the garbage can of history along with the entire GOP. Dead ideas. Failed governing. Fascistic tendencies and inability to deal in the fact based world of reality. F#$%@ Gingrich and all he stands for (which is nothing at all.)

[Realist]

We must do something to curtail our increasing carbon and other outputs not because humans are the cause of climate change, but because humans live in this unique environment that has a climate that is changing. Whether we are part of the cause or not is not nearly as significant as what will most likely result if we continue to consume our environment rather than conserve and manage it.

Knee-jerk reactions like those expressed by both borealis and nepharous are the main reason this scientific discussion became politicized the way it has. Both sides have valid input when the BS is filtered out. I don't agree with everything Gingrich or the GOP says, just as I don't agree with everything Obama and the Dems say. Outright dismissal of opinions or proposals from either side is extremist, not helpful and, unfortunately, ignorant.

[Raven Daegmorgan]

Listening to Newt Gingrich talk about climate change is like listening to a boiled lobster talk about muon particles, or Sara Palin talk about the role of the Vice President.

Instead I'll listen to the scientific community, since they're the people who actually know and understand the material they're talking about, and they agree the climate is changing and that human activities are having an impact.

[martianox]

never trust a lizard. . .someone! please! neuter the gingrich to match its castrated intellect. . .

[nepharous]

With all do respect to Realist, the current GOP has been the biggest enemy to scientific thinking in policy in US history. Knee jerk? Hardly. The attack on reason in this country has been a hallmark of conservative thinking since the mid ninites. The eveidence is overwhelming. Now I agree that politics in science is the anithesis of reasoned analysis but call a spade a spade. The GOP and it's conservative base are a clear and present danger to us all. Just for laughs you should check out how many scientists tied to the government voted for Obama. They overwhelmingly supported him. Is that knee jerk as well?

[Rick]

Newt is right on. The sun and other factors such as ocean currents is the cause for climate change. All those that believe otherwise are just plain wrong. They need to do the research and forget about listening to all the preaching.

[EvilCosmicMokey From Knoxville]

C'MON !!

Does Gingrich or any other of the lobotomized supporters of George W. Bush seriously seem like an authority on ANYTHING anymore ???

Bad enough that John McCain shot himself in the FOOT -metaphorically speaking - by choosing Sarah ( Tundra Barbie " I can see Russia from my yard so I'm a foreign policy expert " ) Palin as his running mate. The Republican's credibility has gone into the sub - sewer, what with cutting funding for Stem Cell research, lack of active support into researching alternative energy sources, ANYTHING that doesn't fit into their own self - serving model of the world.

Names like Buchanan, Gingrich, McCain / Palin, etc., have almost 0 gravitas now.

[EvilCosmicMokey From Knoxville]

Note Bene :

The GOP has been conspicuous in its lack of support for any advances in science, medicine, education. The exception has been the Moon / Mars Initiative, & that will use retro - fitted / adapted Apollo - era technology ( & no guarantee that it's more dependable than the STS which it will replace ).

Looking to the neo - Cons, the party supporting faith - based health care, etc., is really stretching things, IMO. For the record, I'm neither 100 % conservative nor liberal.

[brittan]

We have put over a trillion tons of CO2 into the atmosphere since 1920. Anyone who thinks that there are not consequences to this should drink some motor oil.

Seriously, I understand that the possibility exists that the sun is the cause of global warming; however, does this not give even more credence to the idea that we need to decrease the greenhouse effect by cutting back on GHG emissions?!?!?

Very simple, NEWT! You divisive, self-serving, neoconservative hack.

[Des]

Old Sol has had a predictable sunspot cycle for many, many years. But Global Warming can be traced back to the beginning of our Industrial Age. No connection between the two processes. Climate Change is a different thing entirely, and depends on many variables. It is something that has occured over the millenia from time to time, and relates to plate techtonics, ocean currents, and other slowly-happening similar events.

[Ubiquity]

The fact the Sarah palin might have the same IQ as our Anthropogenic Global Warming army, does not mean she has anything to do with Newt Gingrich opinion.

It is hard to get any rational debate on the topic of climate change without the hysterical, response of Al Gore and his mates.

Its rational to look after our world, It is rational to be skeptical about Sarah Palin talent and Barrack Obama "Sapre Aude", Al Gore and Bushes motives. However having a rational conversation with an environmentalist with anti-meliorist world view is like banging your head against a brick wall.

Climate science and its theories must be treated with skepticsim, rather than like a religion. I am not willing to believe the data presented to me on face value. I am Climate Skeptic Plus Plus. Take your hysteria to the asylum.

Mother earth can look after herself if only we new how to look after our own

[tonemcd]

Thank you Ubiquity for some sensible words. However, I would say it is virtually impossible to get rational debate on climate change without being labelled as a 'denier' (and therefore ignored), insulted as an unthinking idiot or viewed as a shill for Big Oil.

The basis of all Science is skepticism. Skepticism of the source data, skepticism of all theories and skepticism of the motives of those who benefit from the status quo.

It is a truism that all politicians are not to be trusted, after all they actually _seek_ power over other people. Don't look for answers there.