Note to Sarah Palin: The Cause of Global Warming Does Matter
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY 
on 10. 2.08
photo: Tom LeGro/News Hour
Is this really an improvement on saying that global warming is not man-made? In an interview with CBS’ Katie Couric on Tuesday night, Republican nominee for vice-president Sarah Palin clarified her position on global warming a little bit. When she was initially nominated a number of sources seized upon previous statements she made that global warming was not man-made. Since then she has back off on that position, telling Couric that “It kind of doesn’t matter.” Here’s more of what she said,
Palin told Couric that while global warming is “real”, but added that it “kind of doesn’t matter” whether humans are to blame for it. She acknowledged that human activity has “contributed to the issues that we’re dealing with now, with these impacts [on the earth’s climate]”, but went on to say,
I’m not going to solely blame all of man’s activities on changes in climate because the world’s weather patterns are cyclical, and over history we have seen changes there.But it kind of doesn’t matter at this point in the debate what caused it. The point is that it’s real, we need to do something about it. (Yahoo News/AFP)
Something Does Have to Be Done
At least she acknowledges that something has to be done about global warming. And this is why its 100 percent crucial to also acknowledge that very nearly a unanimity of climate change scientists say that increases in CO2 in the atmosphere seen since the industrial revolution are directly caused by human activity and are the cause of global warming. This has direct implications for how we address the issue.
That’s Why the Cause of Global Warming is a Fundamental Concern
If global warming is only part of a greater climatic fluctuation, perhaps partially influenced by human activity, then there is less need to address human-caused carbon emissions. Mitigation of the effects on people’s lives would be primarily important, but changes to development and fuel use patterns less important.
However, if (again, as nearly every single climate change scientist believes is the case) current and future increases in temperature are the result of human activity then the first course of action is to change these activities to minimize and/or eliminate releasing additional greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Mitigation of the effects of climate change are still important, but changes in industrial and social practices have to come first and fast.
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I don't know what kind of kool-aide you've been drinking but a "very nearly a unanimity of climate change scientists say that increases in CO2 in the atmosphere seen since the industrial revolution are directly caused by human activity and are the cause of global warming" is not true at all. There are plenty of scientist and climatologists that think this is all a load of crap. Al Gore has got you guys on your knees at the alter of liberalism; give him a few billion dollars to fix the problem or redecorate his huge mansion with new carpets, whatever. Have you read the book STATE OF FEAR by Michael Crichton, at least to see what the other side thinks? Does it not strike you guys as funny that all the other planets in our solar system are experiencing the same temperature fluctuations? I don't want to be held responsible for the global warming taking place on Mars and Venus as well. Tell those crazy Martians and Venutians to lighten up on the gas pedal in their intergalactic SUVs!! The nerve of those selfish space aliens. Gulp. Gulp. Ahh. This koolaide is GREAT!!!
I hope this is a civil enough comment and matches the intelligence of the article, which speaks for itself.
Wow, I still can't believe she said this... Thanks, Matthew, highlighting Palin's comment.
At least she acknowledged something needed to be done but drilling in ANWR won't help anyone. She's no different than the suburban moms who claim they want to do something about global warming but drive around in their huge SUVs and keep popping out kids.
With all this talk about carbon dioxide ... isn't CO2 a much smaller part of the greenhouse gas spectrum than other gases like methane?
I remember looking at a pie chart and carbon was a small fraction of the offending greenhouse gases.
I am a solar activity / natural phenomena subscriber to the reasons our temperature oscillates. I am absolutely into removing (good old fashoined) pollution and other people-made particulates and arresting the deforestation that is taking place everywhere (how do we get oxygen when the trees are all gone?). Also exploring every alt energy option we have available to us is crucial.
Some people will never be into the human-made warming idea. However the net actions that we all take should be the same.
Use less and use it wisely ... and then re-use it !!
vsk
She again said it didn't matter in the VP debates tonight. That's a rationale equivalent of saying:
"It doesn't matter what foods are causing obesity, as long as something is done about it."
Hybrid hummers or twinkie bars at the gym do not a fit planet make.
Anyone else notice this? Palin's response to the global warming question during the debates was almost word for word her response to Katie Couric. Word for word!
Sorry, Sarah Palin seems like a very pleasant person, but she's a dolt. She is a complete dolt. She is in no way ready and may never be ready to be in the highest office of the country.
I noticed she said the same thing, and it made me laugh. I don't know if she's a good choice for vice president, but she does have a bit of a problem with English grammar.
"I’m not going to solely blame all of man’s activities on changes in climate ..."
Surely she meant to say "she would not say that climate change was caused solely by man's activities", but that's not what she said. What she said seems to blame climate change for man's activities.
First time I heard her say this, I assumed her coaches would set her straight. Maybe their grammar isn't very good either.