Climate Change Denial

One of the interesting things about our temporary digs is the fireplace. The building was built in 2000, and it's clear from bits and pieces that we've come across (papers written for a class and stuck in the bookcase, for example) that the Brazilian who owns the apartment passed the winter of 1997-98 in Montreal. That was the year of the Ice Storm, when most of Montreal was without power for two weeks, and aftewards there was a big jump in the number of people who put in wood stoves and...Read Full Story

In a previous blog, "Camping Out at the Carnival of Climate Denial," I discussed how we seem to have come to a strange place as a society on climate change, where scientists have been telling us for over a decade how serious the problem is, because the fact is, matt, they are not a cohesive loving group. that family was a carnival of dysfunctionality. most families in america are dysfunctional and have their problems. theirs was worse. all it took was a defense to show a little bit of howRead Full Story

The New York Times blogger and environmental writer Andrew Revkin had an interesting piece yesterday about the need to create a coherent narrative framework for discussion of climate change. What he suggests is that the matter should be viewed "a challenge of generations, with today’s efforts focused on what’s feasible now, on rebuilding a culture of innovation in which energy matters and setting the stage for grander de-carbonization efforts down the line."He'll get no argument from me there...Read Full Story

Christmas came early for me this year. While most Man-Children my age were hoping for a present like new video games, clothing, or a credit card bailout package from their parents, I got something unexpected: a 61mb zip file containing discourse from scientists at the University of East Anglia’s Climate Research Unit in the United Kingdom; discourse in the form of emails in which these scientists express their difficulty in gathering data to prove the hypothesis of Anthropogenic Climate...Read Full Story

Today it is hot, heading for the low 30s (the mid 80s F) with humidity that makes the temperatures much more uncomfortable. Last night it was cooler and about 2 a.m. I opened several windows, tryng to fill the place with a reserve of coolness. As I write, that reserve is exhausted and I fell like rag doll.This is the kind of weather which brings the reality of climate change to mind. Not that it is unusual for Montreal this time of year, but the prospect of lots more than "usual" has been...Read Full Story

There is no need to study climate science for years to be an expert on global warming and get quoted in the papers. No need to waste your time doing research or conducting experiments. You just have to know what you're talking about, like Donald Trump, for example. Trump demonstrated at a recent speech at a golf club in Westchester that recent severe snowstorms have disproved the theory of global warming! The Nobel Committee should take back Al Gore's prize, says Trump. So how does Trump know...Read Full Story

The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment and the Stern Report are the most sobering and distressing evaluations of the state of our environment. This essay probably will offend many but is a musing on the relationship of complacency to evil. I offer you no consolation but to consider the reality of our environment as being increasingly the consequence of human decisions.Imagine yourself as a German in 1945. Throughout the Nazi period you have tried to live the values you today hold precious. You...Read Full Story

It may be hard to believe that there are people who can stare straight at where a glacier used to be and swear that Earth's climate is not changing to any degree that will affect humanity. It may be hard to believe that some people who are not oil company executives still refuse to believe that human activities have any effect on the earth's climate. Such arguments do exist, however, and as silly as they sound they cannot be simply ignored.According to cognitive scientists, a statement that...Read Full Story

Wikizines are interactive magazines that anyone can create or edit - and this one is called "Climate Change Denial". Here you can find fresh voices and respond in real time. Some members write articles about recent news and trends related to the wikizine's topic, others recount relevant personal stories or share their favorite pictures and video clips. Got an interesting idea or story to share with other members of this wikizine? Well, then put on your journalist's cap and add your own article!Read Full Story