Why people doubt global warming

[Miguel]

One of the reasons why people (non-experts) doubt about climate change, is because "the poles haven't melted yet".

But people often miss several aspects:
1) 40% of the CO² emissions have been emitted since 2000 (industrialization has existed since 1765, and grew in size and scope in 1870 and 1945).
In fact it's 75-80% of emissions since 1950.

2) Heat takes time to build up.
The more time with a CO² saturated atmosphere, the more heat (CO² lasts centuries in the atmosphere and the sinks that could remove it are declining in capacity).

3) The poles aren't a brick of ice that you take out in the summer at 35°C temperatures, the poles reach -30°C easily (Antarctica -50°C)

It will take time to reach temperatures above freezing and will be on a relatively tiny area, and for a short period of the year for the near future.
But the CO² (and as such future heat) is already there!!

 

[bicicleur 2]

wrong question IMO ..
why is there so much biass in discussing climate change? .. from both sides
it seems very difficult to see things in perspective

 

[Duarte]

I read an article by a professor of Personal Finance at the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC) here in Brazil and I can’t help but agree with him. He says:

“…many of those who work to raise awareness about the risks we face resort to extremely pessimistic predictions. People who make statements such as that in a few decades the heat will be so intense that people will “melt like slugs on the sidewalk” are clearly resorting to images that seek to move people to action.

However, there is a crucial reflection to be made about the impact of these alarmist headlines on the collective motivation for action. Although the intention behind these gloomy predictions may be to awaken people to the urgency of the climate situation, the effect can paradoxically be counterproductive.

Overly pessimistic predictions, instead of mobilizing, can lead to discouragement. When the public is faced with scenarios that seem insurmountable or too catastrophic to be avoided, the natural response may be to inaction. Desperation can replace determination, leading many to question the effectiveness of their individual or collective actions…”

For many years, some friends tell me: Global warming? Don’t worry more about that: It’s a lost case: plug in the “****” (sorry me the bad word, but I can’t find better term to express myself and this is the way that people say by here where when they are already discouraged about something).

Yeah, following this thinking line, nowadays I passed to didn't give a **** to the environmentalists and against all my old principles (yes, now are old) I sent an e-mail to The Presidency of Republic (obviously identifying me with all my credentials/data) harshly criticizing the technical report of the Brazilian Institute of the Environment -IBAMA (linked to the Ministry of the Environment, currently headed by Minister Marina Silva, whose past I respect a lot but today for me her talks sounds me like a “woke” person) that recommends the deny the environmental license to Petrobras to explore oleum in the equatorial coast of the country (equatorial margin).

The person responsible for analyzing the correspondence from the Presidency of the Republic was very kind and responded to me by email saying that my criticisms and considerations were being forwarded to the competent ministry (Ministry of Mines and Energy, whose current head is a fellow countryman of mine and affiliated with a center-right party).

Well, did my arguments end up in a dead file or even in the trash? Yes, maybe. But the fact is that IBAMA's technical report can be in the same place where I assume my email also must be, since the Ministry of Mines and Energy is currently a staunch defender of oil exploration in the equatorial margin and the exploration license was granted to Petrobras. Good for the city governments and local communities, which will have the opportunity to receive royalties from oil exploration and will have the opportunity to escape the centuries-old underdevelopment that has plagued this part of the country.

Well, if the planet is going to burn sooner because of this, at least these communities can finish their journey in this world enjoying at least the same quality of life that already exists for the inhabitants of the South and Southeast of the country.

 

[Vallicanus]

They doubt it for tribal reasons.

"I'm right-wing so I believe global warning is a conspiracy theory."

 

[bicicleur 2]

They doubt it for tribal reasons.

"I'm right-wing so I believe global warning is a conspiracy theory."

it's not simply black or white
most fail to see things in perspective - from both sides