Re: A climate of denial

Focus Magazine, January 2010

Re: A climate of denial (Dec 2009)

All the credible evidence vetted in countless scientifically peer-reviewed papers shows the primary cause of climate disruption is anthropogenic. Further, the scientific community agrees that global warming poses severe risks to humanity and requires immediate action to limit carbon emissions.

Yet doubters continue their desperate efforts to defy reality and sway public policy. Current climate denying tactics are reminiscent of malicious efforts by the tobacco industry to obscure the undeniable proof associating smoking with lung cancer. The denier sect is relatively small, but has the advantage of being bankrolled by greenhouse gas producing industries.

NASA climate scientist James Hansen has stated that we have already passed what is considered the threshold for “maximum permissible concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.” A study by the Pentagon suggests the impacts of climate change could be disastrous. According to the Climate Institute, “the study raises the possibility that global warming could prove a greater risk to the world than terrorism. Among potential consequences, if climate change occurs abruptly or at the high end of scenario projections, might be catastrophic droughts, famines and riots.”

As the Focus article’s author Briony Penn insightfully concludes, “While the social scientists and lawyers are beginning to follow the path forged by the physical scientists, the political realm seems to be waiting for a sign from heaven.”

Chris Genovali, Executive Director
Raincoast Conservation

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