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Hokkaido and other parts of Japan are experiencing their highest temperatures for May on record. What's your view on climate change?

26 Comments

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26 Comments
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I think it's shameful how our descendants are being condemned to an uncertain future in which millions will die.

Water shortages and rising sea levels. Resource wars, international conflicts, millions of refugees, crop failures, food shortages.

We sure are a dumb species. I hope the future inheritors of the planet can treat it better than we did.

13 ( +15 / -2 )

The theory of human-caused global warming is a pseudoscience.

Hoax created by the Chinese?

Entertain us.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

It's been proven by the whole "hockey stick" graph to be a scam.

Proving that someone doesn't understand the hockey stick graph.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

It's happening right now, and it will get much much worse, no matter the wishful thinking of the deniers.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

My view is the same as the 10s of thousands of scientists: it's man made and we are in big trouble.

8 ( +12 / -4 )

Regardless of what you want to call it or what spin is put on it I believe humans are impacting the earth's climate. The fact that there is a colder than normal month or season somewhere does not disprove climate change. The fact that there is a warmer than normal month or season does not prove climate change. These are transient events which are part of a more long term trend.

Humans impact the climate: This I believe can be proven scientifically and is common sense. The use of energy does not have a "net zero" impact on the climate. The debate is to what extent are humans impacting climate. Unfortunately the loudest people engaging in this debate are not the scientists but are politicians, actors, and the media (on both sides). I have 2 good friends that are true client scientists at a major university in California in the U.S. They are appalled at media sensationalization of this issue, actors speaking as if they are experts, and politicians stating we have 12 years until the end if we do not take certain actions. Their feeling (which I agree with) is such claims detract people who are balanced or undecided from taking on this problem.

In industry there have been very dramatic steps taken to significantly reduce CO2 emissions over the last 10 years. The semiconductor manufacturing industry has taken great steps to require suppliers to build in energy saving features and optimize the use of energy in production equipment. Much of these efforts are never publicized in the news, are unknown by many, and are generally ignored (not necessarily purposely).

My opinion is scientists and engineers are now engaged with this issue and will eventually solve this problem.

A hot week or month in Hokkaido does not change my feelings about climate change nor does a very cold winter in the north central United States.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Ban dirty industries and meat industries. Today's individual freedom is costing the future's generation their freedom.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Remember, weather is not climate

Weather provides dots on the graph (dots can go up and down) - climate is the trend of the dots

That said, humankind have already illustrated it can affect climate - remember that big hole in the ozone layer? That's due to man-made ozone-killing CFC gas molecules. Ever since CFCs are banned, the ozone hole has closed

3 ( +3 / -0 )

If someone wants to show how the science showing ancient temperatures is flawed - I welcome that argument.

But anyone who says it can't be believed simply because it's beyond their intelligence grade proves themselves to be too stupid to participate in the argument.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

I think it's shameful how our descendants are being condemned to an uncertain future in which millions will die.

Has it ever been otherwise?

The main problem is still overpopulation - the elephant in the room that governments are afraid to discuss. In fact, like Japan, many are actually encouraging more babies. Reduce the population, and work on technology, education and systems in the meantime. Eventually, the problem will be under control, with some luck.

The fact that governments are pushing for more population is a pretty good example of why governments will not solve this problem. Like people, governments only care about short-term interests.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

The main problem is still overpopulation

No, overpopulation is not the problem. The earth can easily support the number of people on it. It can't however support the number of people using the planet the way we currently are. We are abusing it.

Think of it like this - one guy with a really busy job only has time for one job. You could say that he doesn't have the capacity for a second job.

But someone who has a couple of easy jobs can handle them with no problem.

People are like 'jobs' for the earth. If we weren't all so demanding on it, it could handle us all. But instead the majority of the world is demanding more of the world than it can provide.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

overpopulation is not the problem. The earth can easily support the number of people on it. It can't however support the number of people using the planet the way we currently are. 

That's like saying that there aren't too many people on the elevator, they are just too fat and could all fit on if they were smaller. Except they aren't. If you insist on overloading the elevator, you are risking your lives.

Likewise, we aren't using the earth in some utopian and enlightened fashion. Nor will we anytime soon, from what I have seen (and I have seen some of the best and worst places recently). We can certainly work toward that, and maybe even get to the point where the planet can sustainably support current numbers (though I think that is even farther off than everyone being enlightened).

Population is not only among the biggest factors in environmental destruction, it's one that we can actually have some control over. Trying to have a new enlightened world where everyone behaves in the interest of the commons is like herding cats. It will take a very long time. In the meantime, we can really make big changes just by having fewer kids.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

I must admit that I selfishly enjoy the hotter weather I've experienced. But I know it isn't sustainable and we're headed for trouble.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

It's been proven by the whole "hockey stick" graph to be a scam.

It would have been better if you'd explained how it is a "scam". I take it you're referring to Steve McIntyre's criticism of the methodology used to create the hockey stick graph. I think his criticism was valid, but he was given the "denier" label by some.

Steve McIntyre does not describe global warming as a scam. (He has described some climate scientists in unflattering terms.) Here is one thing he had to say about the whole topic (from about 10 years ago):

"Serious people believe that it is an issue. There’s a lot of promotion and hype, but that doesn’t mean that, underneath it all, there isn’t a problem. No one’s shown that it’s not an issue."

And this:

"The hardest part for someone trying to understand the issue from first principles is locating a clear A-to-B exposition of how doubled CO2 produces a problem and I’m afraid that no one’s been able to give such a reference to me "

0 ( +0 / -0 )

1) Another planet? Not gonna happen. Not in our lifetime or our children's lifetime. If we want to survive long enough into the future to successfully colonize other planets, we need to settle the problems that are here right now. Escaping the planet is just wishful thinking for the foreseeable future.

2) Technology. Yes, everyone agrees that can help.

3) Reduced resource usage would be one of the benefits of technology. In fact, technology is the best way to achieve this. There will be no massive change in lifestyle. Even if the whole planet became vegan, it would hardly put a dent in it, for example.

4) Reduce population. There are simply too many people to be sustainable as we currently live. The good news is that this is not incompatible with #3, but complementary. As India, Indonesia, Bangladesh, etc. catch up with the developed world, those populations will strain resources to the breaking point. They already are.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

If someone wants to show how the science showing ancient temperatures is flawed - I welcome that argument.

But anyone who says it can't be believed simply because it's beyond their intelligence grade proves themselves to be too stupid to participate in the argument.

Climate science is beyond most people's intelligence grade, even if they have the time to put in serious study on the subject - which most of us don't. It's very complicated, and even scientists don't agree. Reading a couple articles and maybe even a paper or two is not going to make one an expert.

If people understood even a little about science or statistics, the sales of lottery tickets would dry up overnight.

So, yeah, I think 99% of the people discussing the science have little clue what they are talking about. And fair enough.

So we have to rely on scientists to tell us what they have learned and what conclusion they have arrived at. Normally, when enough scientists find common ground, we tend to accept that as fact until it is proven otherwise - and such things are proven otherwise all the time. Look at the complete about-faces in nutritional science for example. On top of that, climate science is tainted by the involvement of political interests. So it's not moronic or unreasonable to have doubts about conclusions that are used to coerce the public into massive top-down government programs.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

--- Them: But I don't understand those, so I don't believe them

--- Us: Like you understand airplanes, or computers, millions of other things you use in this life that are the result of science.

All examples of working applications of science. Whereas climate forecasts are simply forecasts that may or may not be correct. No working applications. One does not have to be a moron to question forecasts and speculations that are so heavily influenced by politics and special interests.

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

Weather and climate are different. Science 101.

New York City experienced record cold temperatures in May. Is this a sign of the new Ice Age coming?

-11 ( +3 / -14 )

A natural cycle in the earths lifetime.

-11 ( +4 / -15 )

1970s "Global Cooling"

1990s "Global Warming"

2000s "Climate Change"

-11 ( +0 / -11 )

It's been proven by the whole "hockey stick" graph to be a scam.

-12 ( +0 / -12 )

Proving that someone doesn't understand the hockey stick graph.

Thanks for proving your own point.

-12 ( +0 / -12 )

Climate change is fake.

-12 ( +1 / -13 )

Human lifetimes are insignificant compared with trees, rocks, and stars. Same with climate-cycles. The Sahara Desert used to be a jungle 12,000 years ago. What worrying and nashing of teeth could have stopped the desertification of North Africa? Relax and just adjust your wardrobe according to the weather you're personally experiencing. The sky isn't falling, people. (drink plenty of water the next few months)

-13 ( +4 / -17 )

The theory of human-caused global warming is a pseudoscience.

-14 ( +2 / -16 )

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