Why are there people so insistant that global warming is a lie when they have no scientific background?

Question

First of all I am a Earth Science major working on my BS in Environmental Science and Policy. I know there are a few exceptions, but absolutely no one I have met in my field or any other Earth Science field denies global warming. On top of that the science behind what happens with Earth's climate change has been studied and understood for years. Why are all this ignorant people that obviously have no science background all so opinionated about a subject they know nothing about? Why can't they get over their egocentric nature and listen to the experts that do the work on learning the nature of our earth, and its fragility...???

Answer 1

I don't know anybody who doubts that climate change occurs, sometimes warming, sometimes cooling. What I find very dubious, based on scientific evidence, is the assumption that human activity has a significant impact on it. You and I both know that there is nothing even close to scientific proof of anthropogenic global warming.

I admire and share your respect for science. If you think you've got what it takes, try the Ultimate Global Warming Challenge. The prize is now $500K. Not too shabby, eh?

Answer 2

I've wondered the same thing myself.  I think it's because it's what their version of the media tells them.  My mom started arguing with me about global warming, and she not only knows nothing about it, she knows nothing about science in general.  One clue: she watches Fox News constantly.  I reminded her that "I am your son and I am getting a doctorate in Climate Science."  I don't mind educated discussions of the science, but when people who don't know science start saying that scientists are bunch of pinkos trying to perpetrate a giant hoax to advance their own social goals it infuriates me. That is just slander and they have no basis whatsoever for making statements like that.

Answer 3

coz they are stoopid

Answer 4

Why should I believe you are an Earth Science major? Actually I don't believe you are a science major of any kind. I feel your just saying that to make yourself sound more important than you really are. Also, you have no idea how much any one of us knows about the planet we live on, so you shouldn't cut anyone down. One other thing, I've discovered from my time on Yahoo Answers is there are a lot of intelligent people on this board no matter what they believe when it come to the Anthropogenic Global Warming theory.

And if you have an open mind you can learn something from either camp. Like in military strategy it's good to know your opponent.

Answer 5

What I hate about the sides in this issue is that neither of them care a lot about the actual effects of global warming, or doing anything about them they just want to be (considered) right.Never mind that even a layman like myself has observed the cyclical and non-Armageddon nature of the phenomenon, as long as you all can keep the masses scared and divided, the money will keep pouring in.

Answer 6

I have asked myself this same question so many times.  For some reason your average joe who has essentially zero science education thinks that by listening to Fox News or reading junkscience.com, he's more of an expert on climate science than climate scientists.  It never ceases to amaze me.  I mean, you don't hear about people performing surgery on themselves very often.  In most cases people defer to the experts.  But when it comes to global warming, everyone thinks they know it all.

What really amazes me is when people say "the climate has changed naturally in the past" and think they've made some mind-blowing statement that disproves man-made global warming.  Like climate scientsts don't realize that the climate has changed in the past.  No duh, people!

Really what it boils down to is politics and psychology.  Some people just *need* man-made global warming to be wrong.  They don't want to change their behavior (i.e. driving gas-guzzling SUVs), and they're scared to death that the issue will result in increased government regulation and some sort of carbon tax.  The scientific experts are the ones saying global warming is a huge problem, so their only option is to either come up with a conspiracy theory (i.e. all climate scientists are in on a massive hoax to make Al Gore rich) or come up with some lame attempt to disprove the theory.

Answer 7

I know what university campuses are like - I spend 6 years on one.  They are unlike any other institution in society and are full of morally outraged people trying to save the world.

Lets see if you still feel that way when you turn 30.

Answer 8

Regardless of what your major it is, global warning is an undeniable fact that approaching human kinds in every continents in this world. The earth climate is changing rapidly, particularly to those densely populated cities, just like Hong Kong becomes the most polluted city in this world. Perhaps you haven't read the articles published by Tim Flannary, a famous weather and earth scientist from Australia once described Hong Kong has the most polluted and toxic air in this world. He stressed that many sane peoples do not want their children to inhale the bad air in Hong Kong. What the prices that the Hong Kong government has paid for ignoring the fossil fuels used by two Hong Kong power generating stations, bunker fuels used by ferry boats and trucks?

It has records as follows:

1) There were 10 million clinical visits for the treatment of air pollution caused chronicle diseases of asthma, heart and lungs just in 2007. It is recorded by the Li Ka Shing medical Centre, University of Hong Kong.

2) There were 542 had killed by the Hong Kong most toxic particulates in this world, Apple Daily News (Chines Edition), may/June issues.

3) 3,000 had died of air pollution caused deseases in 2007, Hong Kong Department of Health.

4) 5700 had killed by smoking, Hong Kong lung and heart association.http://www.edelman.com/speak_up/blog/arc...

http://www.worldpublicopinion.org/pipa/a...

http://www.google.com.hk/search?complete...

Answer 9

I agree with Simplify and...

It has less to do with science than psychology, specifically:

Fear

Irresponsibility

Ignorance

Intelligence

Selfishness

Ego

Education is the key but, as any educator knows, of the three things you can teach - knowledge, skills and attitudes - attitudes are the hardest to change and take the most time and patience.

This issue has little to do with knowledge or skills... patience, patience!

Answer 10

because fauxlies tells them it's a scam

because rush limbaugh tells them it's a scam

because Senator Inouye tells them it's a scam

remember, these same people won't vote for someone unless they're promised a tax cut.

even when that cut is paid for by deficits.

that is, they won't vote for anyone who refuses to steal from their children.

now, let's get back .... what was your question?

oh, global warming.

and how it will affect the price of gas for the SUV they drive to the market.

and how they are told the price of gas will change if the US admits that global warming is a problem.

science is cool.

however, politics (and stupid) is just as real.

hey, good 2b wrong, let's look.

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so what's  junkscience?

http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?t*t...

ahhh, he's the guy that used to be paid to tell you that tobacco wasn't addictive, or bad for you.  surely you can trust him.  with your $15.  thank you very much.

Answer 11

RE:  "Why are there people so insistant that global warming is a lie when they have no scientific background?"

Kinda like Al Gore..... who insists that AGW is real.... who has no scientific background??!!

Answer 12

We listen to the experts on both sides and find the skeptics more credible.  We also find your main argument that global warming is a fact based on a consensus view, not science, very weak and old.  Where is the  proof of a consensus?  Only Orekes study, but that is seriously flawed study, and no one can replicate her work.

We also find the other tactic used by the doomsayers suspicious.  If I say, what is wrong with a paper written by this person, the typical answer is, "you can trust him, he is in the pockets of big oil"

Most challenges to a debate go unmet.  The evidence is so overwhelming, yet the doomsayers  are afraid of a debate.  Do you have anything to hide.

Answer 13

If Earths climate has been understood for years, then why was it not predicted that earth would cool substantially over the last 18 months? Because no one understands Earths climate, I do have a science background, and I can tell you that computing power, software and the data available are insufficient  to model and predict climate decades into the future.

Answer 14

well, this isn't about science as much as about psychology. when people are faced with an issue like this, its almost as if one is being directly accused of making mistakes (and we have, when it comes to Nature), so it's difficult for most to accept that mistake. with acceptance comes the responsibility of changing or improving the situation, and most shy away from it. and when you have people supporting you if you ignore the issue, its an added bonus.

but it is a matter of time. people like you and me should be patient and help them understand. there's no hope if we get frustrated! cheers, and goodluck!

Answer 15

It is not so much that people deny global warming is occuring, I agree that it is.

The point is whether humans are having an effect on it, and the answer to that is probably no.

As a scientist you should know that much research that is done, especially computer modelling, is much like creative accounting, giving people who ask the questions the answers they are looking for.

Have you, in your studies and research ever looked at the effect of the hundreds and maybe thousands of undersea vulcanoes around the Pacific rim and in the mid atlantic that are like Yellowstone, only they are continually pouring hot water and magma into the oceans and heating them. Also where the tectonic plates meet are similar vulcanoes, or maybe you could call them guysers continually erupting magma from between the plates.

My proposition is that that is the major cause of the warming of the oceans, and the melting of the ice caps. As vulcanic activity is not consistent, my hypothesis could explain the El nino and La Nina effects. Try doing your doctorate on that when you complete your BS. You may finish up with a Nobel prize.

Answer 16

Because the earth has been going through cooling and warming periods for as long as any of us can remember. I do, however, think things such as pollution, are major problems and should be controlled.

I think global warming is taking place, but I don't think it's a direct cause from humans.

Answer 17

Boy who cried wolf phenomenon - we've been through plenty of other similar scares.