Denial is no answer to global warming

IN his letter on global warming (July 5), Patrick L O’Brien argues that because the earth’s climate has changed naturally in the past, present climate change cannot be man-made.

This is a non-sequitur. The reasons for past changes, which have taken place over tens of thousands of years, are well understood by scientists (precession, sunspots, etc). The changes taking place now are occurring over a matter of decades and the only feasible scientific explanation is that they are man-made.

Climate change is set to accelerate. Far from ‘squandering resources’, as Mr O’Brien claims, nothing has been done. Governments are controlled by powerful forces like the oil industry and road lobby which bankroll the professional contrarians and spindoctors.

The media, in an attempt to stimulate controversy and present a ‘balanced’ view, have given as much credence to a few mavericks as to the great mass of scientists.

This feeds denial among ordinary people. It is arrogant for those who lack the scientific education and knowledge to understand global warming to dismiss it out of hand.

In allowing it to happen we are committing genocide on future generations of humans and other species. We can never be 100% sure, but this is no excuse for not acting — the penalty is too high, and no sacrifice should be too great.

Michael Job

Reenascreena

Glengarriff

Co Cork