A Message From A Republican Meteorologist On Climate Change

Admirable admission and position to take. Congratulations!

Now, you have to start reading and accepting the science which will mean the difference long term to our survival, and survival of our childrens childrens children. For exampe, we certainly can't pray an asteroid off course!

" I laugh at the stupid shit I used to believe."

I understand that. I feel the same way about what I used to believe about politics in general.

"Next he tells us that man is supposed to be stewards of the Earth. That's liberal. Man has domain over the Earth. That's conservative."

No, that's the problem. And people who perpetuate that are part of the problem. Seems there are just as many liberals as there are conservatives who when challenged to push their biases aside to work with others for the betterment of this Earth simply can't do it.

What are you talking about. Man is one of the few creatures who can affect the environment the way we do. If conservatives wanted to give the E.P.A. more power, I'm sure liberals would be more than willing to work with them. If conservatives wanted to put more safeguards on the way large corporations go about treating the environment I am willing to bet liberals would be right there with them. We as liberals don't have to do a thing to change our attitudes toward the Earth and the environment. It's not up to us to try to work with conservatives. It's up to us to stop them. Man being stewards of the Earth is liberal. Man having domain over the Earth is conservative. I heard a conservative say it's their right to rape the earth if they want to. You can't work with that.

If that were true Obama wouldn't have stood in Cushing Oklahoma touting a destructive oil policy to suit the very Republicans in Congress working to destroy the environment. You are doing just what many of them do. Generalizing to suit your own political biases. That's what I am talking about. Not every Republican is a conservative who hates the environment. I know people who are Republicans who care about this planet as I do. I also know Democrats who care very much for this planet as well and don't base that love and care on a political label... and that is what we need to do now... draw out all Americans regardless of political label to raise their voices to demand that this government address this crisis NOW.

That is what Paul Douglas called for, so why aren't you agreeing with that? Because he is a republican and you can't get beyond your own politcal biases to even agree with him? All you did was rip the article apart. We won't get to any real solutions of substance by continuing that petty bs. This man wrote truth about the state of our climate and stated to his fellow Republicans that this is real and they need to hear that and understand it. I don't agree with all he said either regarding Bill O'Reilly, etc., but he's right on this and maybe, just maybe if enough republicans like him start speaking out about this the tide can turn.

I am not talking about RW oilogues in this Congress who are bought and sold. I am tallking about Americans out here who need to understand this and start speaking out like this man did to hold them accountable. But it won't happen if people on both sides continue to put up these political roadblocks all for their precious partisan politics which has actually been the chief reason why this crisis has now gotten to the point it has. If we can get 1 million Americans of all political persuasions to sign a petition to the FDA to label GMOs, there is also hope that we could get a million Americans of all political persuasions to understand they need to speak out about climate change now. We can't do it otherwise. However, if you prefer to stay in the world where your political label is more important than reaching out to try to do something about this on a human level, that's your prerogative. Any republicans who step forward like this to let it be known that we must do something about climate change are doing something that needs to be done now, and I for one we hope we see more of it.

I agree with everything you are saying. The trouble is you will never get conservatives or the conservative minded American to go along with any of that. I like the fact that this rare conservative said the things he said about climate change. I was pointing out his contradictions. He actually said he admires Bill O'Reilly and then said he knew full well the man was involved in an effort to lie to the American people. How can you admire a man that you know is lying to the public. You say not every conservative is a Republican that hates the environment. Then show me one, other than this man, who is calling out the Republicans for their stand on global climate change. I didn't say they hate the environment, I said they think the environment was there to use as they see fit come what may. You talk about the Democrats under Obama having an oil policy that seems to suit the Republicans. Sure he does. 30 years of trying to work with conservatives in Washington has turned the Democratic party into Republican light. Trying to work with conservatives in Washington over the last 30 years has accomplished nothing but to dismantle almost every liberal institution in the country. What has working with Republicans on the healthcare issue done for Obama? The very thing they are beating him over the head with is a mandate of their creation. The conservative group The Heritage Foundation are the ones that pushed for the mandate, and now the conservatives are using it to try to bring the President down. The reason the United States is in the trouble it is in is because people think they can work with conservatives. You can't. If you try to compromise with them to get something done they will give you hand grenades disguised as flowers. I was not trying to rip the article apart. I was pointing out his contradictions and the fact that the incredible rarity of a single conservative claiming he knows that climate change is real does not mean you don't have to be a liberal to acknowledge it. Sure you can find conservatives saying they believe in global climate change. And this one seems to know it's man made. How many more do you think you will find that think, or are willing to admit to that? Especially in Washington. Maybe you don't have to be liberal to acknowledge climate change. You do have to be liberal to admit why it's happening and want to do something about it. In my opinion.

Interesting points; however, it remains to be seen what long term impact humans will have on the planet, much less the solar system, the galaxy, and ultimately the universe. Humans are too enamoured of themselves. They either think their the only most important life put here by their invisible imaginary plaything; Or, aliens can't wait to get here to see what's in our bowels!

This is not about our impact on the solar system, galaxy or universe.
It is about our impact on our precious little planet Earth.
Space aliens are not a part of this plot.

And in part, what happens on this planet is about us! Please, if you read my comments in the future, try to comprehend what you are reading!

Sorry for misunderstanding.
I admit that I am a total bitch about this subject.

Then it is the duty of those who know the science and the reality of this to start winning the conversation and to stop using Fox as their excuse to be silent and allowing them to continue lying. I really wish we could see that. Where are their climate change lies being vocally challenged? Current could do that if they had an environmental/science show because climate change isn't really even mentioned much at all on any of their current political shows, even though Al Gore has correctly stated none of the candidates (including Obama) are discussing it. Maybe they would have no choice if we make them.

If he believes the Bible speaks to him in regards to being a good steward of this Earth so what? It is better and actually refreshing to see someone say that as opposed to the RWers who use it as an excuse to trash this planet and murder people in the name of God. Just as knowing the facts and seeing the urgency of climate change does not automatically make you a liberal, being a Christian does not automatically make you a RW zealot and extremist who uses it like extremists of all religions use them for their own ends. Granted, I do not believe in the old testament of the Bible and really do not use the Bible at all as my guide to life (the Gnostic Gospels are more inspirational to me) but if this man claims that there are passages or words in it that inspire him to actually be a better person who are we to judge that? I don't have to believe or even read any of the books that religions have such as the Torah, Bible or Koran but I certainly respect anyone's right to believe in them just as I believe it is someone's right to not believe in any of them or even God. Again, putting up roadblocks to actually working together to solve this crisis which affects us all, will doom us.

If it motivates people to treat others and their environment with respect I can't see any harm in it. As long as people admit to themselves that waiting for problems to solve themselves is pretty foolish, then they can do something about it.

Observable and scientific evidence is overwhelming, only the problem of people unwilling to act remains. Doing nothing is no solution at all, merely but a cop out that people use when they refuse to acknowledge a substantial problem.

Theology and science are two completely different subjects and theologians would be wise to not step into shoes that don't fit. However they do have a responsibility to speak up for the natural environment and the protection of it's future, without which precious life would not exist.

There are a large number of options to solve the problems we face, yet still short sighted, short term financial gain and an old way of doing things are the prime driver behind the thinking of old oil/gas men, their investment and their public relations. Now if they weren't so stubborn and finally accepted they were steering a sinking ship they would not find themselves wearing the blame. Change course, avoid the looming iceberg, then wise up and realise it's time to adopt new technology, a new attitude or find yourself relegated to history by much smarter and sleeker craft. What's still amazing is that people actually want to climb on and support something that is obviously going to the bottom. There are plenty of ruins of civilisations that may not of seen what was on the horizon, we don't need to end up as another.

poor logic

poor logic

It is and one we need to see more of from Republicans. They need to start holding their own accountable.

I live not far from water either and NYC is slated to be one city feeling the effects of sea level rise. The island of Manhattan is actually not far in difference regarding being above sea level in comparison to the Maldives. It is already happening here however slight but at the rate we are going, in twenty years those with beachfront property will not have the choices they now have.

Oh, I missed that. I will have to go to the CBS site to view it. Thank you for mentioning it. And yes, Mr. Nasheed is a great man. A true fighter for all that is good. I truly respect him for all he has been through and what he continues to do.

"...warnings from climate scientists 30 years ago? They’re coming true, one after another – and faster than supercomputer models predicted."

Perhaps his most important point.

I hope so. The political impasse and using this as a poltical football is dangerous to our future and that of our children.

I agree. Some may think saying politics will kill us all is a bit dramatic. I don't think so. It already is.

Yes, I really think the key to this is to make Americans of all politics understand that we are all affected by this. I remember the day when there was bi-partisanship on the environment and we got good things done for this country. It is imperative we go there again, and those who continue to stall progress on meeting this climate challenge on any side ( but yes it is moreso Republicans) need to be voted out of office.

Their holy-saint-reagan-the-mad was the single worst thing to happen to amerika in living memory - no single thing or person has done more long term harm.

I couldn't agree with you more!