Climate change sceptic accused of misrepresenting the facts
Pretty much everything he says is a massive misrepresentation of the facts.
He says there isn’t much disagreement among climatologists — just the 1% or so who have been handsomely funded by vested interests in the fossil fuel industry or those who are, frankly, stupid.
The evidence of the effects of unprecedented climate change is appearing in respected science journals, subject to open peer review and challenge, all over the world.
One aspect in particular Mr King seems to have difficulty understanding. Let me restate it for him: ‘tipping-point’ effects will be the rule, not the exception. If and when a tipping-point in climate change is visible to all, it will be far too late to avoid a catastrophe. Period.
There is a short period of time (years, not decades) before a tipping-point effect may be seen not just increasing steadily, but accelerating at an alarming rate. When that appears we should be very, very concerned.
We are beginning to see clear evidence of acceleration in some effects.
Sir Nicolas Stern’s recently-published 700 page report was the result of vast and careful research. Does Mr King really think it’s that easy to hoodwink a former chief economist of the World Bank?
How cheap of Mr King to try to smear the integrity of all who care for our environment’s future by labelling them ‘eco-fundamentalists’.
What is he trying to convey? Are we religious extremists believing, literally, in some arcane text written millennia ago telling us thou shalt not emit carbon dioxide. Maybe some of us are plotting to bring down a building or two?
No, I don’t think so. We just heed solid scientific evidence as supported by every single national academy of science in Europe, North America and beyond.
And by the way, after decades of global market economics, the poor are poorer and more numerous than ever while the environment is also in crisis in just about every place you care to look.
When exactly is global capitalism planning to alleviate these appalling phenomena?
Why don’t you ask Mr King to write a piece for, say, New Scientist and commission a contrary reply by a suitably qualified sceptic — if you can find one. Then you should publish all of it as prominently as Mr King’s column last Wednesday.
Mike Hall
Coolierher
Ballymakeera
Macroom
Co Cork
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