- #36
B. Elliott
- 263
- 10
Astronuc said:I thought Palin is more of a non-committed person, and I was surprised by Biden's answer. Biden is a believer, Palin is not.
Nevertheless, the conservative (cautious) approach would be to assume that it is anthropogenic, and the best thing to do is ween the economy of fossil fuels and replace them with non-fossil and renewable energy sources, particularly solar.
In addition to alternative energy, we need to look at more efficient systems and conservation. The automakers are finally doing something - but it took the recent spike in gasoline prices to shock the market, and lo and behold - the Big 3 have seen the light and can build more efficient cars.
I agree. Especially with your point on the cautious approach being to assume that it is anthropogenic, to an extent. Both positions aim at reducing emissions, but one is still skeptical. If it's fully accepted that every bit of the climate change is due to humans, that strong position could trickle out and affect other areas. Example; If it's accepted as fact that human emissions are causing changes, that's pretty much also assuming that it's due to CO2. So therefore everything that is a CO2 emitter is therefore 'bad' and will most likely have a restriction or tax places on it. At least some sort of hurdle to jump over.
Also, if we again accept the idea that it's anthropogenic, that could affect another area; situations that involve sea level (housing, insurance, construction, ect).
Again I see your point about accepting the cautious approach, but that does have it's drawback. If the original cause is assumed (anthropogenic), specific aspects of the possible cause (CO2, ect) are then uplifted and can then used by people to further support a cause. I'm having a bit of trouble with the wording, but I'm thinking somewhat like how creationism could be related to constructing a tower. It's based on an original preconceived belief (at the top) and evidence is then placed within and under the penthouse... constructing from the top down. Real science uses observations and evidence (structure) to come to the final conclusion (penthouse).
Sorry to bring religion into this.