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What Do The Climate Change Deniers Want?
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Do they want to take a punt on being right and tough luck for our grandkids?
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The very term “denier” is, in many cases, incorrect and is, in my view, an emotive and pejorative term first used – appropriately - in connection with the Holocaust.
I don’t doubt – or deny – that the climate is changing. I’m not convinced that mankind is entirely responsible for it, but that doesn’t really matter. What I do question is whether mankind can do anything about it. I also question the strategy that this country is embarking upon which will bankrupt individuals, businesses and the economy. It is based on unreliable or unproven sources of energy and developments that have not been tried and tested, where no proper plans for the supporting infrastructure is likely to be in place, or even on technology yet to be invented. So I’m not a “climate change denier”. I’m a climate change strategy cynic.
Then there is the point made by fender. The latest jamboree in Glasgow has been very successful – in demonstrating that there is not a hope in Hell’s chance of any meaningful measures being taken to combat the problem. The principle polluters have no intention whatsoever of reducing their harmful emissions. China burns more than half of all the coal consumed in the world. It burns more than six times per head of population than the UK (though not as much per head as our “environmentally friendly” neighbour, Germany). It burns more than a hundred times the UK’s modest consumption (which is rapidly falling) and shows no signs of slowing its growth in consumption. So I would have more respect for the climate activists if they glued themselves to Tiananmen Square instead of the M25.
The UK could cut its emissions to zero (proper zero, not the contrived “net zero” that is bandied about). We could all sit in the cold and dark and not travel anywhere. And it would make not the slightest difference to the climate.
The idea that we must “set an example” to the big polluters is ludicrous. They will simply laugh at us, damaging our economy and our population, whilst they hoover up all the business that we no longer undertake so as to improve our green credentials. The UK (along with all the other countries making an effort) are simply reducing their emissions because they care, only to see them exported to countries where they don’t.
Don’t even start me off on the pure hypocrisy demonstrated by those who say they care (or more accurately, say everybody else should). The recent beanfeast in Glasgow generated as much emissions in a fortnight as over 5,000 people produce in a year. I won’t mention Drax power station.
So my strategy is simple. I will continue with my lifestyle as it is until I am forcibly prevented from doing so. I don’t drive very much but will use my small petrol car as much as I like. I have absolutely no intention of buying an electric car as they are completely impractical for many of the journeys I undertake. I will continue to use the heritage London bus in which I have a part share (diesel, 8 or nine miles to the gallon) as much as I like, taking it to events as usual. I fly four or five times a year and will continue to do so until the government completely destroys the UK's aviation industry. I have an efficient gas boiler and will buy another to store before they are outlawed so long as domestic gas supply is guaranteed. I do not intend to trash my house (and my bank balance) in order to keep it warm. I’ll spend the money I save by not fundamentally changing my heating system on the increased cost of gas, caused principally by successive governments having no secure energy policies. I shall do all of this because it suits me best and doing anything else is absolutely peeing in the wind. I hear shouts of “what if we all thought like that?” If we all (in the UK) thought like that it would make absolutely no difference. If you think you’re setting a good example, see how much less coal China burns over the next few years as a result of your good deeds and let me know. Good luck with that.
I don’t doubt – or deny – that the climate is changing. I’m not convinced that mankind is entirely responsible for it, but that doesn’t really matter. What I do question is whether mankind can do anything about it. I also question the strategy that this country is embarking upon which will bankrupt individuals, businesses and the economy. It is based on unreliable or unproven sources of energy and developments that have not been tried and tested, where no proper plans for the supporting infrastructure is likely to be in place, or even on technology yet to be invented. So I’m not a “climate change denier”. I’m a climate change strategy cynic.
Then there is the point made by fender. The latest jamboree in Glasgow has been very successful – in demonstrating that there is not a hope in Hell’s chance of any meaningful measures being taken to combat the problem. The principle polluters have no intention whatsoever of reducing their harmful emissions. China burns more than half of all the coal consumed in the world. It burns more than six times per head of population than the UK (though not as much per head as our “environmentally friendly” neighbour, Germany). It burns more than a hundred times the UK’s modest consumption (which is rapidly falling) and shows no signs of slowing its growth in consumption. So I would have more respect for the climate activists if they glued themselves to Tiananmen Square instead of the M25.
The UK could cut its emissions to zero (proper zero, not the contrived “net zero” that is bandied about). We could all sit in the cold and dark and not travel anywhere. And it would make not the slightest difference to the climate.
The idea that we must “set an example” to the big polluters is ludicrous. They will simply laugh at us, damaging our economy and our population, whilst they hoover up all the business that we no longer undertake so as to improve our green credentials. The UK (along with all the other countries making an effort) are simply reducing their emissions because they care, only to see them exported to countries where they don’t.
Don’t even start me off on the pure hypocrisy demonstrated by those who say they care (or more accurately, say everybody else should). The recent beanfeast in Glasgow generated as much emissions in a fortnight as over 5,000 people produce in a year. I won’t mention Drax power station.
So my strategy is simple. I will continue with my lifestyle as it is until I am forcibly prevented from doing so. I don’t drive very much but will use my small petrol car as much as I like. I have absolutely no intention of buying an electric car as they are completely impractical for many of the journeys I undertake. I will continue to use the heritage London bus in which I have a part share (diesel, 8 or nine miles to the gallon) as much as I like, taking it to events as usual. I fly four or five times a year and will continue to do so until the government completely destroys the UK's aviation industry. I have an efficient gas boiler and will buy another to store before they are outlawed so long as domestic gas supply is guaranteed. I do not intend to trash my house (and my bank balance) in order to keep it warm. I’ll spend the money I save by not fundamentally changing my heating system on the increased cost of gas, caused principally by successive governments having no secure energy policies. I shall do all of this because it suits me best and doing anything else is absolutely peeing in the wind. I hear shouts of “what if we all thought like that?” If we all (in the UK) thought like that it would make absolutely no difference. If you think you’re setting a good example, see how much less coal China burns over the next few years as a result of your good deeds and let me know. Good luck with that.
//...same with wind and tides.//
Harnessing the tide slows the rate of the Earth's rotation (which is already slowing anyway because of the effect the moon has upon it). No doubt when they realise that the climate zealots will glue themselves to something else. If it turns their attention to something other than the M25 it will be worthwhile.
Harnessing the tide slows the rate of the Earth's rotation (which is already slowing anyway because of the effect the moon has upon it). No doubt when they realise that the climate zealots will glue themselves to something else. If it turns their attention to something other than the M25 it will be worthwhile.
Just tell me how anything done in the UK will have the slightest impact on the climate. It can't be that difficult.
It's not analogous to casting a vote. Collectively, people casting their votes will produce a result. Tell me how anything done collectively by people in the UK will have an influence on the climate. I'm not closed to suggestions. I've been thinking about it for a long time (as I hope was evident from my earlier answer). I've done a lot of research. I'm not one to be carried away on a wave of illogical hysteria so you may struggle.
//The difference between us is that I don't moan about and criticise the people that do care.//
The thing is, tomus, these people who do allegedly care are holding sway and they are persuading the UK government to embark on an absolutely ridiculous strategy that will harm the country enormously and have absolutely no effect. Their argument (as far as the UK is concerned) is illogical but it is being accepted as unarguable.
It's not analogous to casting a vote. Collectively, people casting their votes will produce a result. Tell me how anything done collectively by people in the UK will have an influence on the climate. I'm not closed to suggestions. I've been thinking about it for a long time (as I hope was evident from my earlier answer). I've done a lot of research. I'm not one to be carried away on a wave of illogical hysteria so you may struggle.
//The difference between us is that I don't moan about and criticise the people that do care.//
The thing is, tomus, these people who do allegedly care are holding sway and they are persuading the UK government to embark on an absolutely ridiculous strategy that will harm the country enormously and have absolutely no effect. Their argument (as far as the UK is concerned) is illogical but it is being accepted as unarguable.
To help you understand my argument a littel:
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I always thought tides were due to the moon's influence etc.
I'm not a denier - more in NJ's camp.
Wish the current crop of activists in Glasgow would visit the airport and count the number of learjets which have landed and taken off.
I'd also like these Scientits to give an update every 24 hours )slides optional)
I'm not a denier - more in NJ's camp.
Wish the current crop of activists in Glasgow would visit the airport and count the number of learjets which have landed and taken off.
I'd also like these Scientits to give an update every 24 hours )slides optional)
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