Do you ever get frustrated with global warming 'skeptics', and how do you deal with it?

Question

I'm very frustrated right now. Global warming 'skeptics' often complain that nobody (often specifically Gore) will debate them on the issue. Well, about a year ago there was a debate on the issue. The 'skeptic' side "won" in that they persuaded more of the audience than the 'proponent' side, but as I found out this morning, they did so by making 'glitzy' arguments (i.e. blabbering about poverty), and by flat-out lying.

Of course, there was no way for the audience to know whether they were lying - that's the problem with these styles of debates! So the average joe doesn't know who's right, but the seed of doubt is planted in his mind, and thus the 'skeptics' automatically win.

On top of my frustration with this dishonesty, several questions regarding the greenhouse effect on Mars were asked recently, and two chose a gelatinous and 100% incorrect answer as 'best'.

Do you ever get frustrated with global warming 'skeptics' "winning" arguments on dishonesty and ignorance?

Answer 1

I get frustrated, but not over global warming. The fact that we are no longer in an ice age proves that the earth is warming and also that it is not man made, it's been going on too long. It is scientific fact. Where I live it is a wetlands transitioning into desert, at least that is what I thought. Now, with the recent climate changes it has become more of a tropical paradise. I really like what is happening in my area. Dishonesty and ignorance are things that have always been with us and always will. If it causes you frustration then plan to spend the rest of your life in a perpetual state of frustration.

Answer 2

The truth can only be called a lie when the lier says so. Not to admit the winner of the debate is only lie to one's self.

Answer 3

I am not buying it... you aren't as intelligent as you think you are.

Answer 4

Time. I believe 50 - 100 years from now, everyone will start believing in global warming. However, I personally believe we're already too late to stop GW given the current rate of people agreeing with GW and taking actions to prevent it.

Answer 5

I would like to send you links that prove there are solid evidence that justifies skeptics having doubt in the GW theory.   Do you allow email?

Answer 6

What's worse is when I discuss global warming with a friend of mine who thinks I'm making things up when I cite facts. He is very smart and well educated in most ways but knows less about the issue than the pseudoskeptics on this forum. But he is certain that there is a huge heated debate about the issue because he has been told there was one, and despite having no idea what he is talking about he defends a position.

Answer 7

Beware of those who claim a 'consensus'.  Skepticism is necessary for good science.

“A consensus means that everyone agrees to say collectively what no one believes individually”

---Abba Eban

Answer 8

Your frustration comes from a sense that you are now loosing the argument that man is responsible for most of the warming in the last century . All good science is built on "skeptics" .

Answer 9

Yeah, I guess I get frustrated. Just because I have been surrounded by this "theory" for the past 10 years. My dad's an environmental scientist and owns a company that designs sensors and systems that measure ocean/lake temperature, oxygen..etc. We work with over 100 research institutions world-wide and everyone is noticing that something is happening. The planet does go through natural warming and cooling transitions, but not this quickly. You know, people in environment science don't do it for the $$, but for the passion. I couldn't say that about most of these politicians.  I guess time will tell, right?

Answer 10

The skeptics only tactics are mis-information, and mis-direction.  They are very persistent.  You always back up your answers with good references. Some skeptics reference sites, but these are always fringe sites.  The regular person can easily see the difference in the quality of the information and understanding.  

The issue is being talked about in public now.  The GOP leadership is on board.  All the presidential candidates have it on their radar. China recognizes the problem.   Your reaching the political leaders.  That is where the argument needs to be won anyhow.

There really are just a few denialist trying to confuse the issue.  I think most people can figure it out if you just stick with the science.  The denailist don't really address scientific issues.  It is all about politics and this shows in there answers.

Just keep answering the questions the best you can, blow off a little steam at the biggest morons once in a while, and take up a physical sport (kick boxing would be good) to work out your aggressions.  It is frustrating, but it is the dishonesty and ignorance are the only strengths the denialist have.  They are going to use them and promote incorrect answers to obscure the science.

Answer 11

I just remind myself that they are all just a bunch of paid political hacks. I also remind myself that patriots defend the homeland and that those who accept money from Republicans to betray their country are no better than gutter trash.

Answer 12

I only get frustrated with people that blindly follow a cause and assume the worst at every turn.  I am certain that those that believe humans have destroyed the environment and are causing catastrophic warming (I call them alarmists for lack of a more descriptive term) when there is almost no evidence for that.   You can always drum up unusual weather patterns and the alarmists constantly do that.  You can always cite anecdotal observations and alarmists always cite that.  You can always cite people that are on your side of the debate but that is far from persuasive at least as far as I am concerned.

Answer 13

70 MILLION TONS!!! of CO2 is pumped into our planet's appleskin thin atmosphere by MAN -EVERY DAY!!!!!!!!

THIS IS THE CAUSE of GWarming! What do you think, that its going to just DISAPPEAR? No it sticks around for centuries in the atmosphere until it is used by a plant.

NASA says GW is man-made. NASA sent us to the moon! But some skeptics dont even believe that. Some of these morons still believe the earth is flat in fact!

Go to school, get educated. The Trillion dollar Fossil fuel industry sheisters are everywhere trying to confuse the uneducated masses. Get educated. Science is real and GW is real.

Dont believe the old crackpots. Most are over 60 and dont CARE if the earth boils because THEYLL BE DEAD ANYWAY in 20 years. If you're young, you should be very very concerned about GWarming.

Answer 14

how old are you? how do you deal with someone who disagrees with you about which is the best chocolate bar or the softest loo roll

Answer 15

GW is a myth. it has nothing to do with science. it has to do with political manipulation of our country. People hate our way of life and want to destroy it. the communist in our own country (Al Gore and such) want to take us back to the stone age like the rest of the world is. they don't want us to be the only super power in the world. Gore's movie was such full of c**p, right-out lies and errors that is not even funny.

You could even forget the science, GW is not based on any scientific data. There are more qualified scientists that are "doubters" than believers. The media doesn't give them much coverage, because they are not being PC.

Case in point, China and India are the most polluting contries in the world and they are excempt from any GW treaty. WHY??????

because it is about politics and not science.

I get more frustrated with the mindless people that buy into this garbage without thinking, simply because it makes them feel good.

Answer 16

The fiasco that you have iterated is exactly why it is a religion. However, be assured that behind the scenes RESPONSIBLE scientific effort is going into it's study. If anything, all the fanaticism and the "Warming Zealots" are detracting from the efforts of legitimate science and in fact may be impeding progress.

Answer 17

Some months ago my local elected official sent me a letter via snail mail saying he did not believe in global climate change.  I initially intended to write him back with a well-researched reply, but 2 things intervened.  The realization that my letter would probably fall on deaf ears, and the chance to put a sign for his opponent in the current election in my front yard.

So you do what you can.  Resist the cheap shots -- I still can't, not entirely -- try not to reguritate the same 12 pieces of information, try to offer good sources, try to avoid the sources you know skeptics will scoff at.  

Yeah, it does get aggravating.  I didn't get along with my daughter for about 10 years.  Then she grew up and out of it and now we get along great!  So I'm hoping to do the same thing here, I guess, that I did with her.   I turned the other cheek, pretended not to hear, I stood by her side when she needed me.  I was there when she was ready, again, to listen. I hung in there.

So, considering the stakes and the fact that this is the least I can do to help educate myself and others, you try to dislodge the seed of doubt, you try to explain to the average Jane and Joe what's going on now, what you think will happen if we don't get a move on.  The skeptics have already begun to fall away, so those who remain have to make more noise, ask the same question for the kazillionth time.

Don't answer it.  Move on.

Answer 18

Don't let them bother you.  We need to move on.  We can't keep letting the deniers hold us back.  There were people who believed the earth was flat well into the 1800s, several hundred years after Galileo proved otherwise.  You can't let these people bother you.  You need to learn to ignore them and do what you need to do.

Answer 19

Hey I feel you - but for me it is broader than any single issue... it's frustration dealing with "politicized" people and talk radio junkies...

Also frustration dealing with people who absolutely refuse to educated themselves about what science actually is.

Sounds silly, huh?  Everyone knows what science is right?  No way and particularly in Yahoo! Answers it is painfully obvious.  I can't count the times I've begged folks to actually look up their HS Science Teacher and ask them to explain the fundamentals again...

It's really sad, but I guess human society has always had a soft spot for glitz, superstition and living purely by emotion vs. dedicating to logic - or scientific methodology and principles.

Logic is so boring and "Vulcan" and just no fun I guess.  I mean isn't thinking of the world as a chaotic turntable that features sea monsters and exotic magical lands at the outer rim so much more fun than viewing it as an isolated and singular globe of matter encrusted with organic material while spinning through space while orbiting the sun?

It's the only one we've got.  Hey you so called "skeptics" why not take care of it anyway whether you believe in science or not?

Answer 20

You know how I feel and I get frustrated too to have to re-explain PROVEN scientific theories or people even refusing them. Unfortunately, I am not as pedagogic as you and tend to have more rude and violent answers as you. The reason is that I can handle different opinions well, but I am totally annoyed at the lack of education (and pride of it) of some answerers.

Somewhere, this sets the question of education as we fail to educate people enough for them to be able to make their own mind... on a rational basis.

A state philosopher, Johannes Althusius once said that ultimately, decisions have to be taken at the lowest scale of the hierarchy with the SUFFICIENT EXPERTISE to take such a decision. His work on popular sovereignty largely influenced the fouding father of the American Revolution.

But here is a quote for you as I know that you are just as passionate and trying your best for the world.

"Even after bad harvest, there must be sowing" (SENECA)

Answer 21

The proponents are equally as guilty of propagating ignorance, if not more so.  At present, we have no convincing evidence that there is a connection between global temperature and atmospheric composiiton -- or, even if there is, what is cause and what is effect.

Answer 22

The pukeatory(ad nauseum) comment of 80~90% mostly us, should be aimed directly at the alarmist. Or as Paul Havery's famous qoute; "Now for the rest of the story."

Answer 23

I get frustrated with those who run off at the mouth espousing how intelligent they are.  My grandfather was a simple man but very wise. He told me those who tell you they are honest more then likely are not, honest people don't run around and tell every one how honest they are in fact the opposite is more fitting.  I put those who like to claim intelligence in with that, people who are intelligent don't run around trying to prove their intelligence.  

There are plenty of lies on both sides, and lack of credibility.     There are some good folks on both sides that I have listened and learned from.  I just remember the wisdom of my grandfather when it comes to separating truth from fiction and who I have come to respect and those whom I don't.

Answer 24

I often get frustrated with skeptics, especially on Yahoo! Answers; and, I probably don't deal with it in the right way.

I usually just call their argument "stupid" and then just ignore them. I shouldn't resort to name calling, but what else is there to say to someone who refuses to educate them-self, repeats the same nonsense that has been refuted over 10 years ago, or those who continue to use right-wing "think tanks" and the opinion page as their scientific source.

Answer 25

It used to occasionally bother me, but not any more.  The 'skeptics' around here and other places on the Internet are insignificant (as are you and I) when it comes to the people actually making decisions.

Tony Blair wrote a compelling Op-Ed in todays Washington Post.  People at power and influence levels like him, listen to legitimate scientists and know that the problem is real.  Come January 2009, the last significant hold-out (having wasted 8 precious years, when something should have been started) will be out of power.  Not only is the science clear now, but more and more highly prestigious economists are calling for serious action (action now will only cost 1 - 2% GDP, inaction could cost 20 - 30% GDP down the road).

Helping to educate people who are actually interested in learning something, is all that you and I can hope to do around here. People with a clear ideological bias won't listen to any amount of evidence (just look at the people with PhD's who still try to defend the position that our planet is only about 6,000 years old).

Answer 26

I am a skeptic.  As I was growing up in the 1970's we were told that the world was going to freeze over. It was scary.  Now we are getting too hot. I feel it is the need for scientists to publish or parish.  What is happening is a climate change.  If you want to say we are wrong.  Give us real data.  We win debates because the data does not exist.

Answer 27

No, everyone's entitled to their own opinion, its the extremists that annoy me with their obnoxious comments.

Answer 28

sorry, i couldnt be bovvered to listen to that thing, i just knew it was going to end in tears. we had awful trouble for months after that terrible 'rock and roll swingle' sorry gw swindle programme on channel 4 last year. total bullocks, but how can you tell people that? it was on the telly, so it must be true! and channel 4 defended showing it in the interests of showing 'both sides'. but of course, thats like giving the tip of the wedge equal attention as the base.

here, does this cheer you up a bit?

Exxon to cut funding to climate change denial groups

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/20...

Answer 29

I never was until I started reading the GW section here.  I didn't think there were this many deniers left in the whole world.  What is there to doubt?  

In my mind, we need to stop "debating" whether it's real.  It is.  We need to be focused on determining exactly how it will impact the world, and more importantly, what we are going to do about it.

Answer 30

How much of the denial comes from people that matter?  I would be concerned if the NAS was in denial.  The opinions of a bit of denatured collagen are just comic relief.  People that need to derive their self-esteem from cheating in YA need psychological help.  While I admire your attempts to be a social worker trying to cure the incurable, that is not my gig.

Answer 31

Extra-ordinary CLAIMS (GW) require extra-ordinary proof. So far (in my view) the theory of human caused global warming has not been proved to my satisfaction.