Trump is selling his 8 grandchildren down the river in service of his ignorance and ego. In this respect he is simply following the mindless ideology of the GOP. One can only surmise that they love themselves and their power more than their families and humankind.
53
Delaware calves off Antarctica, and the STEM Masters in the Op-Ed pod tell us that nature has sent a message.
Well, what was the message? Water freezes and we rename it ice? Gravity runs downhill? Ice floats in water? An iceberg is the natural result of natural processes?
We're waiting for that ringing bell, oh sagely Masters.
Well, what was the message? Water freezes and we rename it ice? Gravity runs downhill? Ice floats in water? An iceberg is the natural result of natural processes?
We're waiting for that ringing bell, oh sagely Masters.
7
The United States under Trump is TOO INDEPENDENT. His stubborn insistence upon disagreeing with every other country is beyond embarrassing. He just had to be the only one to deny climate science. Because America has to be "first." His OVER-INDEPENDENCE is a mental illness. It appears to be untreatable. It predicted that he would take us off of the world climate team. Somehow we have to get back on it. Teamwork 101. The world is too small for his big ego. His psychological problem threatens the planet.
23
Can one foolish, ignorant man in the White House tip the scales of climate change and cause a crisis that will affect billions of people in the near future? No. Not unless many others allow him to do so. And in the United States, we have plenty of foolish, ignorant, power-hungry and greedy elected officials in government who are willing to go along with that man... and plenty of people who elected those officials. Ultimately we get the government we deserve. Too bad our mistakes will harm the rest of humanity, not just the United States.
27
Folly will not for making America or any country great, and that is the path Trump has put the country on.
10
As long as Trump thinks there are votes in denying climate change ,he will do so. Logic, evidence or critical analysis have nothing to do with Trump's stance, only votes equals power which equals self worth. Trump could care less about the devastating effect of climate change on voters because his voters have been indoctrinated by the Republican Party into denying scientific evidence. the only way to change Trump is to convince him that there are more votes in accepting climate reality
11
But, the Coal Miners.....
How ARE those new jobs working out????
How ARE those new jobs working out????
17
Fill in the blanks:
Mr. Trump,
The climate change loner
The boy-man pretending to be president
The naysayer
The businessman concurrently running the USA
The foul-mouthed leprechaun
The loser, you're fired
The change your-your-mind hourly president
Select your own words______________________
Mr. Trump,
The climate change loner
The boy-man pretending to be president
The naysayer
The businessman concurrently running the USA
The foul-mouthed leprechaun
The loser, you're fired
The change your-your-mind hourly president
Select your own words______________________
10
The Paris Accord is not "binding," but it's meaningless unless signatories honor it. That was never going to happen.
Consider this:
Developed countries pledged to provide $100 billion a year to developing countries. Did you know this?
SOURCE: "So What Exactly is in the Paris Climate Accord?" (NPR 6/1/17):
"'To help developing countries switch from fossil fuels to greener sources of energy and adapt to ... climate change, the developed world will provide $100 billion a year," NPR's Christopher Joyce reports. But that amount is ... a 'floor,' not a ceiling. 'Developed countries won inclusion of language that would up the ante in subsequent years,' he explains, 'so that financial aid will keep ramping up over time.'"
Developed countries' pledges in the Paris Accord weren't going to be fulfilled no matter what the US did. The US' share of that $100 billion a year "floor," for example, was $30 billion a year. Would US taxpayers accept $30 billion a year in extra taxes, or would the US simply issue more bonds? Would taxpayers in other developed countries pay higher taxes to fund the remaining $70 billion a year? What if one country fell short?
To comply with the Paris Accord, a country may not pick and choose among its pledges, especially if its compliance is a condition to other countries' pledges. When various groups pledged to step in after Trump pulled the US out of the Paris Accord, did any offer to contribute toward this $100 billion a year pledge, or even mention it?
Consider this:
Developed countries pledged to provide $100 billion a year to developing countries. Did you know this?
SOURCE: "So What Exactly is in the Paris Climate Accord?" (NPR 6/1/17):
"'To help developing countries switch from fossil fuels to greener sources of energy and adapt to ... climate change, the developed world will provide $100 billion a year," NPR's Christopher Joyce reports. But that amount is ... a 'floor,' not a ceiling. 'Developed countries won inclusion of language that would up the ante in subsequent years,' he explains, 'so that financial aid will keep ramping up over time.'"
Developed countries' pledges in the Paris Accord weren't going to be fulfilled no matter what the US did. The US' share of that $100 billion a year "floor," for example, was $30 billion a year. Would US taxpayers accept $30 billion a year in extra taxes, or would the US simply issue more bonds? Would taxpayers in other developed countries pay higher taxes to fund the remaining $70 billion a year? What if one country fell short?
To comply with the Paris Accord, a country may not pick and choose among its pledges, especially if its compliance is a condition to other countries' pledges. When various groups pledged to step in after Trump pulled the US out of the Paris Accord, did any offer to contribute toward this $100 billion a year pledge, or even mention it?
11
Countries follow the US, they always have. Unfortunately so today.
5
A non-binding accord can nevertheless be of great value in setting a tone, in reminding people of principles, is setting something up that says "We can, and must, do better." Step by step... though probably too late.
20
Perhaps we could turn to NATO to see how some signatories of the Accord adhere to their obligations.
4
I'm probably too old to live to see the day, but within the next half century rising sea levels are going to drown Mar-A-Lago and turn it into a reef for adaptable sea critters. That will be the final coda for the most ignorant, narrow-minded, short sighted and falt-out stupid president in our nation's history.
32
Wake up to reality, too many people equals the destruction of of our Planet, or just its uninhabitability! We presently have twice the number of bodies, half of who are uncivilized and usless for the advancement of mankind and survival of our habitat. In Liberal brilliance, we work to eliminate disease, assist in natural disasters, limit collateral damage in warfare and, in general, promote the out-of-control growth of of the least civilized and productive of our population. Our over fishing, industrial agriculture, the destruction of a high percentage of our potable water and the depletion of our aquifers, for golf courses no less, will shortly leave us with excessive hunger, thirst and a desire of the "have nots" to have! The hullabaloo over Climate Change is nothing more than a hiding of our real problems for a later generation! As an almost octogenarian, I won't be here, thank the fates, to see our demise. Good Luck!
8
Isn't that what he wants? To be the Lone Ranger, because we don't need to work with the rest of the world anymore? We can make ourselves great again by ourselves?
He will leave his successor one big mess to clean up on all fronts when he leaves -- he will never get the new political reality of global interdependence.
He will leave his successor one big mess to clean up on all fronts when he leaves -- he will never get the new political reality of global interdependence.
5
This depends upon who succeeds the Orange King. If it's one of his own princelings, say, a dynastic succession to The Junior Donald, Ivanka or Eric, the mess will only deepen.
As for Tiffany, the jury's still out.
As for Tiffany, the jury's still out.
6
Surely you meant loser?!
3
Trump is becoming--actually already is--a pariah, and he is taking the country on the same path, unfortunately.
9
I'm so sick and tired of the endless stream of vitriol which so many comments are full of, liberal leaning for the most part, enraged and refusing to get over and acknowledge the indisputable fact that we have Trump because there was no one Democrat running who energized and excited the electorate, as for instance Obama did, twice.
I supported him, twice, much to my embarrassment.
And, as usual, the Democrats through Obama blew it, throughout his tenure, never truly advancing the wellbeing and welfare of the poor and middle-class, and in fact presiding over the greatest transfer of wealth from the long suffering, to the already obscenely wealthy 1%ters.
The Obama tenure exemplified the stultifying thing the Democratic party had become, so mesmerised by the glow of the coastal elites they ignored the rest of the people, leaving the door open for any smooth operator promising salvation.
And, unless a a real acknowledgement of the Democratic malaise occurs, and real representatives are proposed, 2018 will end any possibility of a democratic resurgence in 2020, and our new authoritarianism will continue through 2025, and beyond.
I supported him, twice, much to my embarrassment.
And, as usual, the Democrats through Obama blew it, throughout his tenure, never truly advancing the wellbeing and welfare of the poor and middle-class, and in fact presiding over the greatest transfer of wealth from the long suffering, to the already obscenely wealthy 1%ters.
The Obama tenure exemplified the stultifying thing the Democratic party had become, so mesmerised by the glow of the coastal elites they ignored the rest of the people, leaving the door open for any smooth operator promising salvation.
And, unless a a real acknowledgement of the Democratic malaise occurs, and real representatives are proposed, 2018 will end any possibility of a democratic resurgence in 2020, and our new authoritarianism will continue through 2025, and beyond.
11
And unless gerrymandering and Interstate Crosscheck goes away along with a corrupt man who used the Russian assistance to take the White House, we are ALL in trouble. Hit blaming the black guy. Your rumblings are obvious cover for racism and misogyny.
7
Unfortunately, we don't have time to waste on climate change. By the time the repulsive are out and the saner folks run the country again, we will be so far behind it will be difficult to catch up. There is no catching up. It is the smart people who must revolt and do something. One can only hope.
14
"It makes one wonder what could conceivably change Mr. Trump’s mind."
That presumes the man acting out the role of president spends any time thinking or developing policy. In reality he uses intuition to try and "win" the moment, without regard to any future or past moments. It's time to stop treating this narcissist as if he were in any way a normal human.
That presumes the man acting out the role of president spends any time thinking or developing policy. In reality he uses intuition to try and "win" the moment, without regard to any future or past moments. It's time to stop treating this narcissist as if he were in any way a normal human.
11
Maybe a billion dollar bank loan for Jared?
Now it is up to the responsible political class to warn eager exploiters of fossil fuels that in the next goverment all that would vanish and they will remain holding the huge costs of investments and exploitation.
2
It's not just Trump. As I recall the entire GOP "clown car" of GOP presidential candidates save Kasich took some kind of 'denialist' position. Furthermore whoever ran the debates between Trump and HRC almost never brought up Global Warming as an issue. Unfortunately as deeply serious as this crisis is for world leaders, most Americans could care less. Sure if polled a majority acknowledge the problem and believe it's real but it is not front and center in their hierarchy of concerns.
9
DJT is left out for a simple reason: there is no space for unruly kid among the adults. Other than the Trump base, no one listens to him. SAD!
5
The legacy of Mr Trump will be one of pollution and discord peppered with abundant farce. Sad...
8
The unpalatable truth: We have elected a buffoon to the office of the presidency. We can expect little more of him to make informed decisions than a child. But make no mistake, the responsibility for this disaster lies not so much with the witless Trump. It is with the American electorate who put him where he is.
25
Fact based evidence from years of research is overwhelming..getting off carbon fueled power and moving to renewable energy sources is an absolute necessity in order to salvage a planet already ravaged by the coal/petrol/gas industries.
The attempt by the likes of Trump, Pruitt and Zinke to roll back renewables progress does not appear to be driven by any ideology; rather, it's the fear of deadwood investments for them and their corporate backers that is at the core of their backward and dangerous thinking. They would sell the planet down the river rather than do the right thing for the general good. It does not matter a nickel how Zinke sits a horse for the photo op as he "inspects" national parks. His bottom line is to shrink public spaces that should rightfully be preserved. And I seriously doubt that Pruitt was anywhere near the Cuyahoga River when it spontaneously combusted in the late 60's. The tip of the iceberg of industrial/corporate/government neglect run amuck. Lake Erie may be clearer today because of the Clean Water Act passed after that debacle that set standards for industrial pollution, but don't stand in the PCP sludge at the bottom that will be there forever because of belief in the notion that coal/petrol/gas corporations, among others, have a moral compass and will do the right thing...
The attempt by the likes of Trump, Pruitt and Zinke to roll back renewables progress does not appear to be driven by any ideology; rather, it's the fear of deadwood investments for them and their corporate backers that is at the core of their backward and dangerous thinking. They would sell the planet down the river rather than do the right thing for the general good. It does not matter a nickel how Zinke sits a horse for the photo op as he "inspects" national parks. His bottom line is to shrink public spaces that should rightfully be preserved. And I seriously doubt that Pruitt was anywhere near the Cuyahoga River when it spontaneously combusted in the late 60's. The tip of the iceberg of industrial/corporate/government neglect run amuck. Lake Erie may be clearer today because of the Clean Water Act passed after that debacle that set standards for industrial pollution, but don't stand in the PCP sludge at the bottom that will be there forever because of belief in the notion that coal/petrol/gas corporations, among others, have a moral compass and will do the right thing...
5
At this late date I find it incomprehensible that the editorial board could write this sentence: "someday Mr. Trump will awaken to the fact that the leaders of the world... regard him with astonishment and dismay." Do you folks really not understand that he is fully awake to this situation? It is precisely why he is following his pig headed approach. He can NEVER have the kind of respect Obama had because that respect was due solely to who Obama was. The Donald FOR THIS REASON ALONE has always hated Obama. Like all self centered children, if he can't have adult respect then mere attention will suffice. He needs to stand out. He wants the astonishment of the world, tinged though it may be with dismay. That his stance puts the entire planetary ecosystem in greater risk is a small thing compared to the inestimable benefit that accrues: he is the center of attention. In that respect being shunned is almost as good as being admired. From his warped perspective perhaps it is even better.
18
How can anyone still question Trump's connection with Putin's Russia? is not every measure Trump has taken, as well as his appointees, exactly the steps a Putin operative would have taken? Follow the money. It contains the answer.
7
Trump is far short of great and entirely oriented to personal family gain, not public gain. He has no business at all speaking about making America as a whole great again. America is receding in every way every day under his administration.
8
I've been living in SF a bit more than 40 years. A year ago, I compared recorded temperatures from 1975 and 2016, in each case averaging hourly temperature measurements over the entire year. The average SF temperature rose 6 degrees during that 41-year period, which I consider significant. So I believe global warming has occurred here in SF.
What doesn't seem to have occurred here, though, is the most-often predicted consequence of global warming: sea-level rise. I don't notice any rise since I arrived here 40+ years ago. Tidal ebbs and flows make it hard to assess sea level changes, but no homes or businesses on the waterfront appear to have installed anything to deal with higher sea levels.
I've read predictions that SF sea level will rise 3-8 feet (never less than 3 feet) this century (2000-2099), but the measured increase so far (2000-2016) is only 0.1 foot -- far below even the lowest prediction and (again) not enough that any waterfront home or business appears to have done anything to guard against a rise in sea level. Sea level has actually fallen along portions of the Oregon coast and along most of the southern Alaska coast. (This highlights the fact that "sea level" takes account of both water level and land level.)
At some point, we should pay attention to measurements, not predictions, and to steps actually taken (or not) by homes and businesses actually located on the waterfront. Global warming can be confirmed, but not sea-level rise.
What doesn't seem to have occurred here, though, is the most-often predicted consequence of global warming: sea-level rise. I don't notice any rise since I arrived here 40+ years ago. Tidal ebbs and flows make it hard to assess sea level changes, but no homes or businesses on the waterfront appear to have installed anything to deal with higher sea levels.
I've read predictions that SF sea level will rise 3-8 feet (never less than 3 feet) this century (2000-2099), but the measured increase so far (2000-2016) is only 0.1 foot -- far below even the lowest prediction and (again) not enough that any waterfront home or business appears to have done anything to guard against a rise in sea level. Sea level has actually fallen along portions of the Oregon coast and along most of the southern Alaska coast. (This highlights the fact that "sea level" takes account of both water level and land level.)
At some point, we should pay attention to measurements, not predictions, and to steps actually taken (or not) by homes and businesses actually located on the waterfront. Global warming can be confirmed, but not sea-level rise.
2
San Francisco has always been notoriously cold. So your weather has improved and the sea levels have not risen. Sounds like a win all around.
1
Kurt,
SF indeed has been notoriously cold -- a fact I notice nearly every day as I see summer tourists from the East Coast riding SF cable cars in shorts and T-shirts. So a little "global warming" (without a sea-level rise) is a good thing out here -- unless that added warmth is contributing to the much-higher rents out here. We own our home, but one of our sons is sharing a 3-bedroom apartment in a not-terribly-desirable neighborhood with two roommates, at $4,000/month rent. I recall paying about $300/month for a 1-bedroom in a desirable neighborhood when I moved here 40 years ago. I know there's been a great deal of inflation since then, but not THAT much.
I do feel sorry for renters now.
SF indeed has been notoriously cold -- a fact I notice nearly every day as I see summer tourists from the East Coast riding SF cable cars in shorts and T-shirts. So a little "global warming" (without a sea-level rise) is a good thing out here -- unless that added warmth is contributing to the much-higher rents out here. We own our home, but one of our sons is sharing a 3-bedroom apartment in a not-terribly-desirable neighborhood with two roommates, at $4,000/month rent. I recall paying about $300/month for a 1-bedroom in a desirable neighborhood when I moved here 40 years ago. I know there's been a great deal of inflation since then, but not THAT much.
I do feel sorry for renters now.
2
Nice to see you are thinking. (Actually sea level in San Francisco has risen about 3 inches in the last half-century. The mean sea level trend is 1.94 mm/year with a 95% confidence interval of ±0.19 mm/year based on monthly mean sea level data from 1897 to 2016, which is equivalent to a change of 0.64 feet in 100 years.) Now apply your measurement techniques around the globe, the way that scientists do. See if you can explain all the data, not just what might or might not be happening in San Francisco. Once you have a firm grip on that and can explain both the past and reliably predict the future, please come back and tell us about it.
http://www.ucsusa.org/global_warming/science_and_impacts/impacts/infogra...
https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/sealevel.html
https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/sltrends/sltrends.html
http://www.ucsusa.org/global_warming/science_and_impacts/impacts/infogra...
https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/sealevel.html
https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/sltrends/sltrends.html
2
Bud it is no surprise that a ignorant climate change denier lives in McKinney, Texas.
7
Trump worships money and the power it can purchase. Pure and simple. This will not change in his lifetime. He has assured his cronies in the oil, coal and gas industry that he will assist them in their primary task of accumulating as much money as possible in the shortest period of time. It is a fool's mission to expect an Ah-Ha moment from this man which will result is the wisdom required for him to shift his values away from a sole focus on accumulating money for himself and his friends and onto a focus of doing what helps our planet and, hence, the human race as a whole.
3
Why I don't care about "global warming" or "climate change" or whatever it is that we are calling it today, and neither should anyone else:
1. We don't know if it is even happening. We probably have at best 200 years of good worldwide temperature data. I am not sure if today we even can get enough reliable data to measure a true global temperature. The data that we do get has to be manipulated by climate scientists to try to support their point.
2. We don’t know what is the correct global temperature. Climate alarmists assume that today’s temperature, or maybe whatever it was 20 or 40 years ago is the exact correct temperature, and the earth should maintain that temperature forever, when we know that has never been the case.
3. We cannot predict what is going to happen with the climate in 20 years or 100 years. Existing climate models have been proven ineffective.
4. If it is happening, we don't know that humans are causing it. Evidence tells us that the climate has changed significantly at times when humans clearly had no impact on it.
5. If it is happening, it may not be a bad thing. Why do we presume that melting glaciers in Greenland is bad? An increase of 2 degrees or 4 degrees in most places in the world would be viewed as a pleasant change.
6. If it is happening, and humans are causing it, I don't believe we have the will nor the ability to stop it.
1. We don't know if it is even happening. We probably have at best 200 years of good worldwide temperature data. I am not sure if today we even can get enough reliable data to measure a true global temperature. The data that we do get has to be manipulated by climate scientists to try to support their point.
2. We don’t know what is the correct global temperature. Climate alarmists assume that today’s temperature, or maybe whatever it was 20 or 40 years ago is the exact correct temperature, and the earth should maintain that temperature forever, when we know that has never been the case.
3. We cannot predict what is going to happen with the climate in 20 years or 100 years. Existing climate models have been proven ineffective.
4. If it is happening, we don't know that humans are causing it. Evidence tells us that the climate has changed significantly at times when humans clearly had no impact on it.
5. If it is happening, it may not be a bad thing. Why do we presume that melting glaciers in Greenland is bad? An increase of 2 degrees or 4 degrees in most places in the world would be viewed as a pleasant change.
6. If it is happening, and humans are causing it, I don't believe we have the will nor the ability to stop it.
6
Way to spread ignorance, doubt and delay. Nice work (not)!
We are accumulating heat-trapping greenhouse gases in our atmosphere, which are increasing the energy (heat) in the system (global warming) which is disrupting our planetary circulation (climate change).
Pretending you are skeptical is dishonest. You're in the tank with people looking for something/anything to discredit worldwide knowledge over time, and if not, an argument to prevent action.
Apathy and despair are just laziness in disguise. It's only all our lives and the future of humanity on our once hospitable planet. And it's not just global warming, it is pollution of every kind.
Trumpians are busy bringing tobacco back too!
We are accumulating heat-trapping greenhouse gases in our atmosphere, which are increasing the energy (heat) in the system (global warming) which is disrupting our planetary circulation (climate change).
Pretending you are skeptical is dishonest. You're in the tank with people looking for something/anything to discredit worldwide knowledge over time, and if not, an argument to prevent action.
Apathy and despair are just laziness in disguise. It's only all our lives and the future of humanity on our once hospitable planet. And it's not just global warming, it is pollution of every kind.
Trumpians are busy bringing tobacco back too!
5
And this is where I suggest you take out a subscription to NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC.
6
Your degree beyond high school diploma is? You are a prime example why America is not currently a great country.
4
Seeing Trump standing alone really illustrates just how far out-of-touch the rightwing of America is with the rest of the world.
6
The only thing the Trumps " believe in " are the Trumps. PEROID.
5
Hopefully Trump will NOT change his mind. his decision of the Paris accords was actually one of his few reasonable acts since taking office. All the accords did was put the US on the hook for financially dealing with climate change. We were committing to paying billions to other countries to "help" them reduce emissions, and we were committing to restricting our economy and our citizens' jobs and well being while other countries, notably India and China were allowed to defer any such restrictions for decades. ridiculous. We have a national debt of $20 TRILLION dollars, our infrastructure is collapsing, large numbers of our own people are suffering. Right now, without participating in these accords, US individuals, companies, cities and towns and state governments are aggressively moving forwards with efforts and programs to get greener and drastically reduce emissions. So we have been and will continue to make significant, dramatic improvements in global warming without us agreeing to hurt ourselves AND pay for the rest of the world. Well done, Mr. Trump.
12
Well, that's what he said, but with 500 lies in less than half a year, you better fact-check before believing him blindly ...
Here's some information you seem to have missed.
First of all, the biggest CO2 polluter, in terms of overall emissions, is China, but the US is the second biggest one.
Secondly, the US has a carbon footprint per capita that is twice that of China.
Third, as we've started to pollute much earlier than the rest of the world, we're responsible for most of the CO2 currently in the atmosphere, and most of the global warming (CO2 stays 100 years in the atmosphere before disappearing). So when poor and developing countries are seeing their farming lands sink away, it's we who are to blame, not them.
4. The Paris accord, that the US initiated and proposed, and then convinced the rest of the world to accept it, stipulates that we will reduce our CO2 emission by 28% by 2030. Developing nations, who emit MUCH less than us, promised to transition in such a way that their emissions will be capped by 2030. What does that mean, concretely?
It means that by 2030 the US will STILL have a MUCH larger carbon footprint per capita than China, and an INCREDIBLY much larger one than the poor countries. So we, not them, will still be the bad guys in the classroom, by 2030.
For all these reasons, helping them a little bit to transition by investing in their clean energy industry, is indeed more than fair, as a deal. AND the only way to prevent huge disasters in 2100.
Here's some information you seem to have missed.
First of all, the biggest CO2 polluter, in terms of overall emissions, is China, but the US is the second biggest one.
Secondly, the US has a carbon footprint per capita that is twice that of China.
Third, as we've started to pollute much earlier than the rest of the world, we're responsible for most of the CO2 currently in the atmosphere, and most of the global warming (CO2 stays 100 years in the atmosphere before disappearing). So when poor and developing countries are seeing their farming lands sink away, it's we who are to blame, not them.
4. The Paris accord, that the US initiated and proposed, and then convinced the rest of the world to accept it, stipulates that we will reduce our CO2 emission by 28% by 2030. Developing nations, who emit MUCH less than us, promised to transition in such a way that their emissions will be capped by 2030. What does that mean, concretely?
It means that by 2030 the US will STILL have a MUCH larger carbon footprint per capita than China, and an INCREDIBLY much larger one than the poor countries. So we, not them, will still be the bad guys in the classroom, by 2030.
For all these reasons, helping them a little bit to transition by investing in their clean energy industry, is indeed more than fair, as a deal. AND the only way to prevent huge disasters in 2100.
9
He's a narcissist. He likes feeling special. He's willing to endanger billions of people because he gets so much attention being a denialist.
If only we could subject him to an attention and news blackout or boycott because of his views. Instead he just gets more attention.
We'll just have to work around the Giant Orange Republican Disaster. Ignore him and try to save our world without - wait what was his name again????
If only we could subject him to an attention and news blackout or boycott because of his views. Instead he just gets more attention.
We'll just have to work around the Giant Orange Republican Disaster. Ignore him and try to save our world without - wait what was his name again????
7
One side has a reasonable hypothesis (i.e., tentative explanation) that is consistent with lots of data (facts). They warn of a threat that would dramatically degrade and destroy human societies worldwide. They say that the threat can be reduced through relatively modest changes in our economy and lifestyles.
The other side offers no explanation, dismisses the facts, puts faith in the imperfection of science, relies on the continuation of current conditions (despite evidence of dramatic changes in the past), and seems reassured by their belief in the incomprehensibility of the world to humans.
Wouldn't true 'conservatives', balancing knowns, unknowns, and the existential risk, side with the first group, those concerned about climate change? Right wing commentators often decry liberals as decadent but what is worse than the nearsighted, profligate consumption and destruction of our earth?
The other side offers no explanation, dismisses the facts, puts faith in the imperfection of science, relies on the continuation of current conditions (despite evidence of dramatic changes in the past), and seems reassured by their belief in the incomprehensibility of the world to humans.
Wouldn't true 'conservatives', balancing knowns, unknowns, and the existential risk, side with the first group, those concerned about climate change? Right wing commentators often decry liberals as decadent but what is worse than the nearsighted, profligate consumption and destruction of our earth?
6
I read a while ago, a quote from a Saudi Prince referring to their reliance upon petroleum for their economy. Allegedly he said the Stone Age didn't end because people ran out of rocks. Renewable energy sources are competitive with fossil fuels and will only become more so in the future as more resources are dedicated towards their development. That is evident to anyone who wishes to look at the problem with an open mind. However for the know-nothings surrounding Trump, reality will eventually smack them in the side of the head as it steamrolls over them on its way to the future. They may be able to hide behind their coal rhetoric, but the world will move on and they will be left sitting on a pile of coal dust. If humanity survives this particular strain of ignorance, our ancestors will look back upon these times with bemusement, the same way we look at Galileo's persecutors.
3
"A more promising scenario is that someday Mr. Trump will awaken to the fact that the leaders of the world, who again and again have demonstratively turned their backs on him, regard him with astonishment and dismay."
Since he needs to be the centre of attention at all times & does this by provocation & discord, confrontation & conflict, denial & lying with intent, he will believe only that he has achieved his goal. "Astonishment & dismay" are what he wants to be front & centre on the world stage..
Since he needs to be the centre of attention at all times & does this by provocation & discord, confrontation & conflict, denial & lying with intent, he will believe only that he has achieved his goal. "Astonishment & dismay" are what he wants to be front & centre on the world stage..
4
"...nature has sent a message (the calving of a giant iceberg)" which "...might or might not be related to climate change".
What! Was the message written in invisible ink decipherable only to the New York Times Editorial Board
What! Was the message written in invisible ink decipherable only to the New York Times Editorial Board
4
Sadly, the fake skeptics will seize on anything and everything. Scientists are careful and honest, but that doesn't mean that warming seas and a disrupted climate are not contributing to melting ice everywhere.
3
Our president will not be alone as long as the chief achievement of "Climate Change Mania" is to penalize the United States and subjugate the worlds population.
Yes, there is a responsibility to be good stewards of our planet but it does not require the US to bare the social, economic and ecological burden of every backward country, miscreant leader and under-served population.
Yes, there is a responsibility to be good stewards of our planet but it does not require the US to bare the social, economic and ecological burden of every backward country, miscreant leader and under-served population.
1
Your Editorial ignores the cheer that went up among the small to middle business community throughout our Nation when we left the Climate deal. The President is not so much a loner as representative of those of us who wish to see America acting in its own interests after a weary hiatus of nine years of apology. The economy must come first and the President knows this. Disaffected Democrats like me as well as we demonized 'deplorables' applaud the President, as the elites denigrate the President's 'base.' He best expressed this in his Cleveland address to workers and business leaders, with his clear vision of building of infrastructure. He gives hope to men across middle America unemployed for years that they will have future employment and not be required by DC bureaucrats to take 'pink collar jobs...' or the like. Patriots applaud the efforts of our President and the results, while the Times carries on about the purported 'Russia probe...' which as a NY lawyer I remain skeptical at best.
7
"the economy must come first"
And the planet ?
Solar and wind power and research and development create lots of jobs and the cost of alternative energy continues to decrease.
Ignorance is not best.
And the planet ?
Solar and wind power and research and development create lots of jobs and the cost of alternative energy continues to decrease.
Ignorance is not best.
7
If you accept the science behind climate change -- which is, despite "fake news" settled, yes, settled -- then your position is not just short-sighted, but dangerous. And if you think reducing or eliminating regulations which restrict the burning of fossil fuels is going to magically created a spike in employment, then you haven't been paying much attention to what's been happening in our economy over the last two decades. Energy regulation and the shift away from fossil fuels --even if accelerated by government regulation seeking to green the environment-- is not the cause of the unemployment which has created the economic and social instabilities of which you complain.
You cheer. I weep. But I wonder, will you weep for your children and grandchildren one day because of the willful ignorance of the current administration which you support?
You cheer. I weep. But I wonder, will you weep for your children and grandchildren one day because of the willful ignorance of the current administration which you support?
7
Business is not and will not be benefited by ignoring the rise of clean renewable energy and the poisoning of the environment. It's the bosses, not the stuff, that are removing jobs.
Converting to clean energy is the best jobs program going.
Converting to clean energy is the best jobs program going.
6
One problem with getting information from a single source like the NYT is that one misses critical details. The vast majority of countries signing on to the agreement did so because they expect to be paid to limit emissions.
It is akin to folk inviting you to dinner as long as you pay. Trump rightly said no thanks.
It is akin to folk inviting you to dinner as long as you pay. Trump rightly said no thanks.
6
What difference does it make?? -- If that's the incentive it takes to keep this planet from burning up -- so be it.
Trump has already proven his ignorance of the role fossil fuels play by nominating Scott Pruitt as head of the E.P.A.
Trump has already proven his ignorance of the role fossil fuels play by nominating Scott Pruitt as head of the E.P.A.
3
@N. Smith.
The thing about freedom of religion is that you are free to believe in and contribute your $ to the climate apocalypse prophesies. I on the other hand am free to not believe in the silly notion. You on the other hand cannot me to pay for or support using my taxes for your silly beliefs.
The thing about freedom of religion is that you are free to believe in and contribute your $ to the climate apocalypse prophesies. I on the other hand am free to not believe in the silly notion. You on the other hand cannot me to pay for or support using my taxes for your silly beliefs.
2
What is the primary difference between the US and the rest of the Paris Accord nations? We are the ONLY ones who have the ability to be energy independent, which grows the economy AND makes ISIS less funded. So when we say it's all about money for Trump; it's also all about money for the other nations who don't have the fossil fuels beneath them and must pay dearly to access them. Of course they want alternative energy sources! Let's not let the guise of climate change obstruct politicians true mandate: to make their countries more independent of other nations. The Paris Accord helps accomplish that for everyone, EXCEPT the U.S. The lack of a stated (and unrealistic) government mandate to reduce fuel consumption by 25% by 2025 doesn't mean WE as consumers will be forced to buy more gas guzzlers. We will still have the option to buy those more fuel efficient cars because competition will force it that way. It is your consumer choices that will lead to lower greenhouse gases and pollution, not government mandates (see organic foods, Tesla, Prius, etc). In the meantime, energy is now cheap in this country (without coal) and the state sponsored terrorist nations that feed off their own energy production are all strugging. Let's let that play out some more but continue to buy Prius's, etc. to dictate corporate innovation.
5
The problem is the Republican Party. The party is full on climate change deniers. Trump is just giving them what they want. I doubt Trump has given the science much thought.
Most of the big oil companies (eg, Exxon, Shell, BP) say they believe in climate change. The coal industry is in financial trouble and can't be a big source of donations. Who is telling the GOP what to do?
Most of the big oil companies (eg, Exxon, Shell, BP) say they believe in climate change. The coal industry is in financial trouble and can't be a big source of donations. Who is telling the GOP what to do?
7
Great to see some American leadership in the world.
It took quite some courage to exit. Now it is a matter of (short) time till the Paris accords unravel.
As many here point out, they were all a matter of money. The only good way to take money from the working poor is to punish the refineries and power plants for changing the Earth climate, which in turn pass the costs to users, affecting mostly the poor. One adds insult to injury telling the poor that it's all for their own good.
The huge funds thus gathered from the poor are discretionary funds for the rich and well connected, greatly enhancing their power.
Trump is not the climate loner, he is the climate leader. The G-20 final document not only did not chastise the US, but included an advert, saying that the US will keep the other 19 warm and powered with fossil fuel at a nice price, regardless of their politics.
It took quite some courage to exit. Now it is a matter of (short) time till the Paris accords unravel.
As many here point out, they were all a matter of money. The only good way to take money from the working poor is to punish the refineries and power plants for changing the Earth climate, which in turn pass the costs to users, affecting mostly the poor. One adds insult to injury telling the poor that it's all for their own good.
The huge funds thus gathered from the poor are discretionary funds for the rich and well connected, greatly enhancing their power.
Trump is not the climate loner, he is the climate leader. The G-20 final document not only did not chastise the US, but included an advert, saying that the US will keep the other 19 warm and powered with fossil fuel at a nice price, regardless of their politics.
5
I had a look at the past few thousand years of climate on this planet. In cycles, it gets hotter, then colder. It has to do with the Sun' cycles and volcanic activity. Get it yet?
4
If you now look at the history, humans always tried to get money and power blaming humans for natural phenomena.
1
You had a look. LOL. Scientists with actual degrees in science have had more than just a look. It turns out that it's the laws of physics and chemistry and thermodynamics that determine when the planet gets hot and cold. These periods all have scientific explanations. As does the period of warming and melting that we're in now.
According to the scientists who take millions of highly trained and educated and satellite-and technology-enabled looks every day, the cause of our current warming cycle is US and it is going to make life very hard for our grandchildren and every generation that comes after.
According to the scientists who take millions of highly trained and educated and satellite-and technology-enabled looks every day, the cause of our current warming cycle is US and it is going to make life very hard for our grandchildren and every generation that comes after.
5
Garz had a look. That is how science works.
Patricia, you did not have a look, never will, and are very proud of it. That is how ideology and religion work.
Patricia, you did not have a look, never will, and are very proud of it. That is how ideology and religion work.
Apologies first for being picky.
In the minds of many reporters and the board of the NYT, the world is composed with the US and Europe. Very traditional but off the reality, like the mindset found with Mr. T and his satellites. Indeed he represents the US.
In the minds of many reporters and the board of the NYT, the world is composed with the US and Europe. Very traditional but off the reality, like the mindset found with Mr. T and his satellites. Indeed he represents the US.
1
Trump is an environmental disaster.
When Mr. Trump visited California in 2016, he denied we were having a drought to farmers in California (he did get their vote).
Now he is using the drought he denied last year (after a winter of good rain) as an excuse to drastically cut down the size of the Giant Sequoia National Monument so the 200 thousand plus acres removed from it can be logged. Trees that take thousands of years to mature and that are fire resistant are #Czech to be logged (probably clear cut) to prevent fires in those 200 thousand acres. So goes ttrfTrump's administration's explanation.
Once those Giant Sequoias are gone, they will never grow back.
I hope the ghost of John Muir haunts Trump for the rest of his life.
When Mr. Trump visited California in 2016, he denied we were having a drought to farmers in California (he did get their vote).
Now he is using the drought he denied last year (after a winter of good rain) as an excuse to drastically cut down the size of the Giant Sequoia National Monument so the 200 thousand plus acres removed from it can be logged. Trees that take thousands of years to mature and that are fire resistant are #Czech to be logged (probably clear cut) to prevent fires in those 200 thousand acres. So goes ttrfTrump's administration's explanation.
Once those Giant Sequoias are gone, they will never grow back.
I hope the ghost of John Muir haunts Trump for the rest of his life.
12
This is child Trump's way of acting out to show up anyone who has ever slighted or been mean to him.
9
"The more promising scenario is that someday" soon Mr. Trump (and Mr. Pence) will be out of the White House. Then the damage caused by this aberration of a presidency can be repaired and we can move, as a country, into the future instead of the past.
8
Actually, he's not a loner - the majority of his supporters and puppeteers are of a similar mind, for vested interests, ignorance, or just being obstinate (Obama and dems believe in it, therefore I won't! Nyah! take that!).
It's simple - stop trying to convince him in an adult fashion. That is the wrong psychology. What might work is to say: "Mr. Trump, the rest of the world recognizes the scientific evidence that is against your stance, but we understand that you neither care for science nor the rest of the world. We give up on you and will proceed without you." When the crowd is walking away from him and not inviting him, he may decide to follow, or maybe not.
Who knows, maybe without 'guvmint over-reaching', even red states, who no longer will have a reason to be obstinate, may act maturely and adapt.
It's simple - stop trying to convince him in an adult fashion. That is the wrong psychology. What might work is to say: "Mr. Trump, the rest of the world recognizes the scientific evidence that is against your stance, but we understand that you neither care for science nor the rest of the world. We give up on you and will proceed without you." When the crowd is walking away from him and not inviting him, he may decide to follow, or maybe not.
Who knows, maybe without 'guvmint over-reaching', even red states, who no longer will have a reason to be obstinate, may act maturely and adapt.
3
Trump does not care one bit about climate change. He will be long dead before it can ever have any effect on him. Trump only cares about the things that are immediately in front of him or that effect his brand. Put Mar a Logo 10 feet under water due to climate change and Trump will start to think about it. Anything less and he will not care. As long as his base supporters keep the adulation coming for the things he is doing, he will not do anything different.
7
He actually had issues with his Scottish golf course and used global warming as the reason for the beach erosion. He was suing somebody about it. (3,500 suits and counting). The Scottish government, I think. He believes in nothing, he cares about nothing except his bottom line. He will always put himself and his crime family above country.
He's sticking it to the world, just as Roy Cohn and his father taught him.
He's sticking it to the world, just as Roy Cohn and his father taught him.
3
Oh! That editorial is charming.
Trump's roar against climate change isn't a principle , but a
chance to get attention as a lone holdout. Or a chance to show
his deal making prowess. Of which he has none, clearly
among the leaders of the world.
Trump's roar against climate change isn't a principle , but a
chance to get attention as a lone holdout. Or a chance to show
his deal making prowess. Of which he has none, clearly
among the leaders of the world.
3
Trump doesn't even understand politics much less science. He believes the lies about climate change that he and alt-rt pals cook up. The general public DOES know there is climate change. TRUMP can Ask any gardener or flower shop owner if he is ignorantly unwilling to acknowledge science. The lives of his family depend on a respect for science, whether for climate or health, as do mine.
5
Agree or disagree with him on policy if you like, but please do you really mean to say that this guy who single-handedly picked off 18 opponents one at a time doesn't understand politics?
The solution is obvious. 45 has to believe that no one but him has figured out that climate change is real and that humans have mightily contributed to its progress. Then and only then will he participate.
2
Science makes conservatives feel stupid so they hide from it, call it names and try to discredit it.
True, sometimes science is hard but that is okay for real Americans, we enjoy the challenge.
Conservatives feel that anything that requires work, like getting an education, or understanding global climate change, is gay.
Enter yet another conservative monosyllabic president who doubts science.
True, sometimes science is hard but that is okay for real Americans, we enjoy the challenge.
Conservatives feel that anything that requires work, like getting an education, or understanding global climate change, is gay.
Enter yet another conservative monosyllabic president who doubts science.
7
Donald J. Trump, making America Small and Mean, Making America Last.
And, unfortunately, he has no sense of the earth that supports him and all of us with its hospitable resources (not to personify it) nor any sense of the obligation of all its creatures to practice stewardship.
Trump joins climate change/global warming as a serious threat multiplier, on many fronts.
And, unfortunately, he has no sense of the earth that supports him and all of us with its hospitable resources (not to personify it) nor any sense of the obligation of all its creatures to practice stewardship.
Trump joins climate change/global warming as a serious threat multiplier, on many fronts.
9
Mother Nature will be visiting a "correction" (market-speak) on this planet within the next several decades. We are in the midst of a population explosion. Sea level, temperature, and acidity rises are already baked in. Weather pattern changes, loss of habitat, mass extinction, etc are already baked in.
Trump's only impact will be to hasten the inevitable by a decade or two.
I completely support and vote for politicians who understand the dire situation we ace in, and will take correct action (support Paris accords). However, getting all worked up over climate change makes about as much sense as worrying about death and taxes. This species is already far down the road of life soiling its nest, depleting its resources, etc. this species will become extinct one way or another as has every other species that has come before.
Trump's only impact will be to hasten the inevitable by a decade or two.
I completely support and vote for politicians who understand the dire situation we ace in, and will take correct action (support Paris accords). However, getting all worked up over climate change makes about as much sense as worrying about death and taxes. This species is already far down the road of life soiling its nest, depleting its resources, etc. this species will become extinct one way or another as has every other species that has come before.
7
It's all about money. The most important thing to Donald Trump is money. He wants more money.
Money--Religion--Power go hand in hand in the USA.
Empathy and compassion are more important than money.
Empathy and compassion are more important than religious belief.
Empathy and compassion are more important than power.
This insatiable desire to be the richest, most powerful, and in control is killing the most good & decent thing we human beings have. That is our capacity to care about each other, and show charity with each other. Our society is dying from individual greed.
Please see the human suffering around you. When you do there is something in you that should hurt. That is empathy for your fellow human beings. Please share your wealth. Pay your taxes. Lets be more united and care about each other. Our climate is causing suffering. As human beings we need to try to diminish and/or stop the suffering.
Money--Religion--Power go hand in hand in the USA.
Empathy and compassion are more important than money.
Empathy and compassion are more important than religious belief.
Empathy and compassion are more important than power.
This insatiable desire to be the richest, most powerful, and in control is killing the most good & decent thing we human beings have. That is our capacity to care about each other, and show charity with each other. Our society is dying from individual greed.
Please see the human suffering around you. When you do there is something in you that should hurt. That is empathy for your fellow human beings. Please share your wealth. Pay your taxes. Lets be more united and care about each other. Our climate is causing suffering. As human beings we need to try to diminish and/or stop the suffering.
17
The reality is that by removing the USA from the table, the USA loses out on 20 Trillion dollars of green manufacturing and innovation. From a short term point of view, it is a profoundly stupid business decision.
7
It was a fool's errand. trump's overriding desire is to obliterate everything President Obama did. Not necessarily because he is personally opposed to any particular initiative. He has no strong feelings about anything other than himself. He apposes these because of his massive inferiority complex, especially when it comes to his predecessor. Jealously and justified fears of inadequacy are his primary motivations.
25
I wish there were a way to force each member of congress to read this New York Magazine no-holds-barred article on the impact of Climate Change. These are people who have children and grandchildren who are going to be impacted in unimaginable ways, and yet they keep their heads in the sand. Perhaps the greatest failure in governance in the history of the World. http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/07/climate-change-earth-too-ho...
12
I agree people should read it, but am distressed by its emphasis on the grimmest consequences and the way it collapses the time for all the negative consequences, combined with a few serious errors in fact (40% is not "more than double" in the correction of the record to show more increase, for example).
That said, it is important that we all stop being so optimistic about "someone else" fixing the problem, and get to work. This is a worst-case scenario, and all too likely. As we head in the other direction, and indulge in magic thinking, we compound the problem.
That said, it is important that we all stop being so optimistic about "someone else" fixing the problem, and get to work. This is a worst-case scenario, and all too likely. As we head in the other direction, and indulge in magic thinking, we compound the problem.
1
Indeed, this seems grim. Not sure it's hyperbole, however, in that several of the possible positive feedback loops aren't even considered (e.g. other massive sources of methane). I think it's value, for those who choose to consider it, is that we're talking about much more than sea level rise. The human brain isn't optimized for "far" distant crises. To the extent we are able to create a present sense of fear, we may become more activated to do whatever each of us can do.
1
? Come on, we're dealing with people who reject anything that doesn't confirm their prior beliefs. They'll say 'fake news' or 'well, scientists weren't right about this or that' or 'there is some controversy over this, not settled'. Look at Rick Perry when he was being questioned by Franken and others - a man in his position being as ignorant about not just climate change but science in general??? To him and others, it's all religion - theirs vs. others'.
1
The only reasonable reason for denial is the belief (not mine but does have credibility) that we are way past the point of no return, so we might as well milk the earth and enjoy the time we have left. For one to reasonably believe this, s/he would have to have done a good bit of scientific research. Certainly not the case with our clown-in-chief.
2
Even that belief wouldn't be a "reason for denial" - it would be a response to acceptance. The idea reminds me of something from back in college - a little play by Pushkin called "A Feast in the Time of the Plague". It's just what it sounds like, a group of young people confronting doom by celebrating with a feast. "Eat, drink, and be merry..." and so on. It's an old theme.
But the thing is, although we have already gone past various points of no return - we will never get back to the Earth the way it was - we will always be able to ameliorate the situation to some extent. It won't be like a curtain falling and it's over, it will be some of us living in comfort, on high ground or behind sea-walls - and others suffering, their lives disrupted by flooding, drought and unbearable temperatures - the more we bring down our carbon use, the more that suffering and chaos can be reduced, even if it won't be prevented altogether. The moral demand never goes away.
But the thing is, although we have already gone past various points of no return - we will never get back to the Earth the way it was - we will always be able to ameliorate the situation to some extent. It won't be like a curtain falling and it's over, it will be some of us living in comfort, on high ground or behind sea-walls - and others suffering, their lives disrupted by flooding, drought and unbearable temperatures - the more we bring down our carbon use, the more that suffering and chaos can be reduced, even if it won't be prevented altogether. The moral demand never goes away.
Because he's an irresponsible ignoramus and doesn't know any better, Trump has actually internalized the ridiculous, self-serving fabrications of rightwing primitives like the Koch brothers. In his feeble mind, you've got to push this stuff if you're playing for the Red Team, very much like his attacks on reproductive healthcare. For the country, this nonsense is part of the bargain it made when it put an adolescent in the White House.
11
May it be that Donald Trump is a person who has been struggling since childhood with cruel feelings and attitudes, with greedy and stingy feelings and attitudes, and with fears, doubts and insecurities?
I perceive a pattern in D. Trump's self expressions including impulsivity, anger, dog-eat-dog business practices.
I have no doubt that we cause global warming and the resulting climate change; that we ought to do all we can to reduce doing the things that cause global warming; do what can be done to sufficiently eliminate global warming so we can survive on Earth until our star, The Sun, dies out. We ought to put our resources into exploring for other planets to inhabit so that we can transport some of us to another planet which we humans might populate; and where we might not make the mistakes we have been making that seriously harm our planet and us.
All that said and done, regarding Donald Trumps world view, is it that he takes a fatalistic attitude toward climate change/Global warming an attitude by which he thinks he and others should get what we want for ourselves, while being prepared to fight wars as the bitter end becomes more and more obvious?
Or, is it that Donald Trump opposes anything that stands in his way of getting what he wants when he wants it?
Is there a pattern in Donald Trumps behaviors , a pattern of re-enacting the extensive behavioral and other attitudinal conflicts of his boyhood that caused his parents to send him away from his home?
I perceive a pattern in D. Trump's self expressions including impulsivity, anger, dog-eat-dog business practices.
I have no doubt that we cause global warming and the resulting climate change; that we ought to do all we can to reduce doing the things that cause global warming; do what can be done to sufficiently eliminate global warming so we can survive on Earth until our star, The Sun, dies out. We ought to put our resources into exploring for other planets to inhabit so that we can transport some of us to another planet which we humans might populate; and where we might not make the mistakes we have been making that seriously harm our planet and us.
All that said and done, regarding Donald Trumps world view, is it that he takes a fatalistic attitude toward climate change/Global warming an attitude by which he thinks he and others should get what we want for ourselves, while being prepared to fight wars as the bitter end becomes more and more obvious?
Or, is it that Donald Trump opposes anything that stands in his way of getting what he wants when he wants it?
Is there a pattern in Donald Trumps behaviors , a pattern of re-enacting the extensive behavioral and other attitudinal conflicts of his boyhood that caused his parents to send him away from his home?
4
His parents are part of the problem. They may have been happy to send him away, but they enabled him at every step.
2
President Trump's challenge is to use his position to address the huge problems that his constituency placed their hopes in voting for him.
I am reminded of the findings of Anne Case and Angus Deaton for their finding, "While midlife mortality continued to fall in other rich countries, and in other racial and ethnic groups in the US, white non-Hispanic mortality rates for those aged 45-54 increased from 1998 through 2013. Mortality declines from the two biggest killers in middle age—cancer and heart disease—were offset by marked increases in drug overdoses, suicides, and alcohol-related liver mortality in this period. By 2014, rising mortality in midlife, led by these “deaths of despair,” was large enough to offset mortality gains for children and the elderly." The deaths of despair are real and this special US problem must be addressed.
It cannot be addressed just by clean coal technologies and energy efficiency. This approach will not produce the economic growth required to bring financial security to Americans dislocated by the Great Recession.
Global warming must be seen as an opportunity for bring more efficient non fossil fueled technologies to the market. Dr. James Powell, the inventor of superconducting Maglev transport, in his recent book, Silent Earth, has recommended a practical path to head off the catastrophic consequences of global warming. He recommends the US take the lead in developing a Maglev Launch Facility to cheaply place solar satellites in orbit.
I am reminded of the findings of Anne Case and Angus Deaton for their finding, "While midlife mortality continued to fall in other rich countries, and in other racial and ethnic groups in the US, white non-Hispanic mortality rates for those aged 45-54 increased from 1998 through 2013. Mortality declines from the two biggest killers in middle age—cancer and heart disease—were offset by marked increases in drug overdoses, suicides, and alcohol-related liver mortality in this period. By 2014, rising mortality in midlife, led by these “deaths of despair,” was large enough to offset mortality gains for children and the elderly." The deaths of despair are real and this special US problem must be addressed.
It cannot be addressed just by clean coal technologies and energy efficiency. This approach will not produce the economic growth required to bring financial security to Americans dislocated by the Great Recession.
Global warming must be seen as an opportunity for bring more efficient non fossil fueled technologies to the market. Dr. James Powell, the inventor of superconducting Maglev transport, in his recent book, Silent Earth, has recommended a practical path to head off the catastrophic consequences of global warming. He recommends the US take the lead in developing a Maglev Launch Facility to cheaply place solar satellites in orbit.
1
We don't need this imbecile in office to "believe" anything. People who have actually taken the time to educate themselves about this issue will prevail -- despite the pressure of a dying and destructive industry who care solely about short-term profits. Their propaganda campaign, which effects the minds of people who have already been brainwashed for many years to believe science is just a liberal hoax, is working -- no doubt. But it's working amongst the minority of the country. The majority of the public, the entire world, the science community, and even the business community have now accepted the facts about what's going on (meaning they aren't simply sticking their head in the sand). Trump's fluke election is a setback for the environment (and anyone who isn't in the 0.01%), but all that means is that the majority have to work even harder.
10
If we indeed have crossed the tipping point on global warming, then the concept of slowing the increase in carbon emissions or even capping carbon emissions at the current level are totally meaningless. And if you as an individual believe that buying a Prius, investing in a solar water heater, or wiping your rear-end with one square of toilet paper is going to stop or reverse global warming then you don't understand the term "tipping point".
The only way to slow, stop or reverse global warming is to develop an economical alternative power source. We should put all of energy (pardon the pun) into research into dark energy, hydrogen fuel cells, geothermal, or any other possible alternative, renewable source of energy and not get involved in the silly (but politically-correct) incrementalism represented by the Paris Accords. In this case, only a technological home run will save us. Fortunately, we have a history of hitting technological home runs.
The only way to slow, stop or reverse global warming is to develop an economical alternative power source. We should put all of energy (pardon the pun) into research into dark energy, hydrogen fuel cells, geothermal, or any other possible alternative, renewable source of energy and not get involved in the silly (but politically-correct) incrementalism represented by the Paris Accords. In this case, only a technological home run will save us. Fortunately, we have a history of hitting technological home runs.
3
Agree whole-heartedly about developing renewable (or at least carbon-neutral) energy. And add to researching the more speculative forms such as the 'dark' energy you mention, improved forms of established sources including fusion and safer fission. However, although you may be correct about being past a 'tipping point', that is not (yet) known so we should not dispense with 'incremental' changes may prove to be valuable, even crucial.
2
Well, no, nothing is "totally meaningless" - and it isn't that kind of tipping point. You seem to be thinking of a situation that will go from one to zero, bump. This is more of a scalar thing. We are already past the point where there will be severe effects - we are already seeing them - and in that sense we have passed various points of no return. But warming processes can still be slowed by any steps we take to limit carbon use - and any slowing of the warming is significant, giving us time to develop further responses.
We will need more than one alternate power source - we need multiple lines of research and investment - wind, solar - better batteries, better transmission grids - more efficient architecture - there is plenty to work on. I'm afraid no single "home run" will save us - in fact, when you think about it, it has been all those previous home runs that got us here. A very difficult situation.
We will need more than one alternate power source - we need multiple lines of research and investment - wind, solar - better batteries, better transmission grids - more efficient architecture - there is plenty to work on. I'm afraid no single "home run" will save us - in fact, when you think about it, it has been all those previous home runs that got us here. A very difficult situation.
1
While I understand your hope that Trump will somehow gain insight into his mistakes, I fear that you don't realize he lacks insight, will never have insight, hates Obama with a passion that obliterates common sense, and denied that he has ever done anything he regretted or felt the need to repent for. NOTHING will penetrate - the emperor can never be wrong.
7
I was going to say that hopefully in 3 years we can replace this ignoramus with a Prez with some knowledge, class and character. However, I fail to see anyone jumping to the head of the Democratic Party who is a viable candidate. Yes, HRC may run again, but I fear that it would be with the same result. She is damaged goods. Bernie beat Trump in every poll, but is too anti-establishment for the Dems to put forward. That leaves? The dems need a charismatic candidate who can beat the likes of Trump. Otherwise voters will stay home and the status quo will win and the US will continue to lag behind the rest of the world.
2
Why did the climate blame believer cross the road?
Because everyone else was.
Because everyone else was.
2
I have no doubt that some of Trump’s policies are going to be very successfully in short term to medium term. But when it comes to climate change, he is going to fail, really fail miserably. Sustainable energy breakthroughs are going to prove him wrong in long term. From German generating 85 per cent its total energy from sustainable recently to life changing, portable solar lighting at the heart of rural Africa; sustainable energy has become both technically feasible and economically viable.
I can guess if Trump’s LIES make it through the second term, seven years from now somebody, somewhere will ask him: Is climate change a hoax? He will reply: NOPE, ABSOLUTELY NO: IT IS A REALLY, REALLY THING and the whole world will look at him and say you have been forgiven your sins, go and retire in peace.
I can guess if Trump’s LIES make it through the second term, seven years from now somebody, somewhere will ask him: Is climate change a hoax? He will reply: NOPE, ABSOLUTELY NO: IT IS A REALLY, REALLY THING and the whole world will look at him and say you have been forgiven your sins, go and retire in peace.
1
Trump is less than zero. He is a pariah on all that could be good in the world. The confusion that replaced logic in his head is becoming more evident each day and with of his encounters with the real world. We, as a nation, must continue to demand and cajole our Senators and Representatives in Congress to stand up to this madman.
I am nearing the final chapters in my life. The earth probably won't go ballistic before my time is spent, but it won't be long after. I grieve for the young.
I am nearing the final chapters in my life. The earth probably won't go ballistic before my time is spent, but it won't be long after. I grieve for the young.
9
Trump's problem is the problem with his hard-base of fans. They are not curious people. They have their minds made up for them..Fox, etc, and that becomes all of it. POTUS has admitted to not being a reader, which is base applauded, like he'd admitted to drinking cheap beer. He and his base are like far too many Americans, fully decided and entrenched in their POVs. Where their Ego's are on an opinion-drip, fed by the likes of Fox, Brietbart, Jones, Drudge, etc, etc. All because to change means being curious, and doing some extra work to investigate.
Now, of course many Dems and those on the lefty Left, are often the same. Calcified, and wholly entrenched. Stuck and resistant to new information that challenges them.
But the Right seeks to deny and destroy and take from their base, and give to their benefactors. While the Left seeks to give and nourish and benefit the whole. (Not always in the best of ways I might add, but the goals are from a far better place.)
Trump wont change unless one of the voices in his head changes. The one that links his self-formed opinions to his self-worth, and personal opinion of his intellectual prowess. And right now that voice is engorged because its feeding off of the adoration he so needs. And that adoration comes from a mostly misinformed, very selfish, racially motivated base of fans who think they finally found their true Messiah in Donald Trump. They seek a savior for their personal ills. They've always voted that way.
Now, of course many Dems and those on the lefty Left, are often the same. Calcified, and wholly entrenched. Stuck and resistant to new information that challenges them.
But the Right seeks to deny and destroy and take from their base, and give to their benefactors. While the Left seeks to give and nourish and benefit the whole. (Not always in the best of ways I might add, but the goals are from a far better place.)
Trump wont change unless one of the voices in his head changes. The one that links his self-formed opinions to his self-worth, and personal opinion of his intellectual prowess. And right now that voice is engorged because its feeding off of the adoration he so needs. And that adoration comes from a mostly misinformed, very selfish, racially motivated base of fans who think they finally found their true Messiah in Donald Trump. They seek a savior for their personal ills. They've always voted that way.
4
The NYT is under-estimating Donald Trump like it did during the elections, afraid of his habit to unceremoniously point to the elephant in the room.
President Trump said clearly that he pulled out of the accord because placed difficult terms on USA, and lighter terms on other countries, such as China the biggest polluter, making the US exports too expensive in the long run, compounding to already too expensive factored in healthcare and wages (compared to China). It was not his fault that it is like it is, he is just trying to mitigate further loses.
This is not the end of the World NYT. A new accord, fairer to US's interests, should be drafted.
President Trump said clearly that he pulled out of the accord because placed difficult terms on USA, and lighter terms on other countries, such as China the biggest polluter, making the US exports too expensive in the long run, compounding to already too expensive factored in healthcare and wages (compared to China). It was not his fault that it is like it is, he is just trying to mitigate further loses.
This is not the end of the World NYT. A new accord, fairer to US's interests, should be drafted.
5
the definition of leadership is doing more than you have to rather than less. think about the Marshall Plan after WWII when we helped many to rebuild.
4
An historic accord has already been drafted and ratified by most of the world's nations. Why would they redo that just to please a petulant outlier? They've already said no. To make a deal, you have to have a willing partner or partners who see a benefit in negotiating. What does Trump have to offer that the rest of the world wants? Nothing.
2
We cannot measure the speed of the tumble of our national leadership, integrity and dignity into the cesspool of spiteful mendacity represented by our President and his craven cavalcade of enablers who not only accept but also generate the septage now emerging from the organs of American governance.
The carcinogenic rot is spreading at wildfire rates from within. Unacceptable behavior is denied and derided as "fake news" until is is proven to have occurred within the central core of our Administration. Then, the narrative of denial becomes the storyboard of "So what!"
This is the country we have given ourselves. Seventy years of global leadership are being squandered before our incredulous eyes.
The carcinogenic rot is spreading at wildfire rates from within. Unacceptable behavior is denied and derided as "fake news" until is is proven to have occurred within the central core of our Administration. Then, the narrative of denial becomes the storyboard of "So what!"
This is the country we have given ourselves. Seventy years of global leadership are being squandered before our incredulous eyes.
7
WAKE UP!
36 MORE years of climate action failure and global denial is certain and unstoppable unless;
We must allow NASA to say to the deniers of the world that their planet flattening crisis is as real as they say the planet isn't flat, not unless they are also only 99% sure the planet isn't flat.
Will NASA say it before it's too late to say it?
36 MORE years of climate action failure and global denial is certain and unstoppable unless;
We must allow NASA to say to the deniers of the world that their planet flattening crisis is as real as they say the planet isn't flat, not unless they are also only 99% sure the planet isn't flat.
Will NASA say it before it's too late to say it?
1
Which paragon of Democratic virtues are you planning to vote in the next presidential election? Who in your mind has the experience, moral foundation, education, and emotional reliability to honorably and adequately fulfill the job of President of the United States in 2020? in desperation a few people are already beginning to float Bernie Sander's name again.
That’s a waste of time. Honorable-grinner, Bernie, is yesterday's news: not an inspiration for tomorrow. As the saying goes: "When the going gets tough, the tough had better get going!
That’s a waste of time. Honorable-grinner, Bernie, is yesterday's news: not an inspiration for tomorrow. As the saying goes: "When the going gets tough, the tough had better get going!
1
When over 153 countries have signed the Climate Accord, and we see the US moving away from that agreement, is so very unprecedented. The Accord has a purpose and mission. It is to set up strategies to combat global warming, and preserve the good health of our planet, to benefit all beings.
A few days ago, there was news regarding an iceberg breaking away, in the Antartica. These icebergs have been there for many, many years. The fact that they are gradually breaking up should cause concern to all people. With a simple theory, these icebergs, until melted, hold several million gallons of water. The water has to flow into the oceans.
Several islands in the pacific ocean and elsewhere are battling rising ocean waters, and erosion of land.
The US has always been in the forefront to provide support to natural disasters, fighting terrorism or health related issues in various countries. The whole world has recognized and applauded our involvement.
We are now moving away from that leadership. This is all happening with our new POTUS in office who has a different view of the world. Leave alone the President of France, Mr. Trump is not listening to valuable counsel, and does not want to be guided. Climate Change is one of several subjects, where we see Mr. Trump thinking differently. With his 'America First' slogan, our standing on the world stage is changing. We are all much concerned of the future of our country.
A few days ago, there was news regarding an iceberg breaking away, in the Antartica. These icebergs have been there for many, many years. The fact that they are gradually breaking up should cause concern to all people. With a simple theory, these icebergs, until melted, hold several million gallons of water. The water has to flow into the oceans.
Several islands in the pacific ocean and elsewhere are battling rising ocean waters, and erosion of land.
The US has always been in the forefront to provide support to natural disasters, fighting terrorism or health related issues in various countries. The whole world has recognized and applauded our involvement.
We are now moving away from that leadership. This is all happening with our new POTUS in office who has a different view of the world. Leave alone the President of France, Mr. Trump is not listening to valuable counsel, and does not want to be guided. Climate Change is one of several subjects, where we see Mr. Trump thinking differently. With his 'America First' slogan, our standing on the world stage is changing. We are all much concerned of the future of our country.
2
Floating ice, upon melting, does not raise sea level.
Those ice shelves, now breaking up, prevent ice on land from reaching the ocean. Without the ice shelves, then we have accelerating problems, and that is where we are headed.
Those ice shelves, now breaking up, prevent ice on land from reaching the ocean. Without the ice shelves, then we have accelerating problems, and that is where we are headed.
1
I spent most of my working career as a "climate scientist." I'm near retirement now, and the last 8 years I've worked on hurricanes ... shifting over in large measure because all the knowledge needed to set policy is done (particularly in what was my subspecialty), and what remains of interest to scientists is esoteric to the public interest, and will be very hard to do (meaning no chance of funding, particularly in the era of Trump).
I doubt Trump will change: truculent stupids never do. The reputed arabic saying applies: "it is a waste of soap to wash the hind end of a sick camel." However Trump's bluster and political kabuki are a demonstration that he is in fact powerless -- both over reality itself, and that most people do see that reality.
Don't listen to Trump's bluster -- watch what really happens over CO2 emissions regulation ... and remember that four years isn't very long ... to geology and climate.
Watch Scott Pruitt -- he is trapped by the Endangerment Finding. He dreams of reversing it -- he knows the almost-certain consequences of trying to do so will be that CO2 regulation is strengthened by court order rather than demolished as he wants.
Watch the court cases coming. Remember that Mass v. EPA was settled by the Scalia SCOTUS, and is most unlikely to be overturned. Trump and Pruitt look like the two grifters in "Huckleberry Finn" peddling "The Royal Nonsuch ... ladies and children not admitted."
I doubt Trump will change: truculent stupids never do. The reputed arabic saying applies: "it is a waste of soap to wash the hind end of a sick camel." However Trump's bluster and political kabuki are a demonstration that he is in fact powerless -- both over reality itself, and that most people do see that reality.
Don't listen to Trump's bluster -- watch what really happens over CO2 emissions regulation ... and remember that four years isn't very long ... to geology and climate.
Watch Scott Pruitt -- he is trapped by the Endangerment Finding. He dreams of reversing it -- he knows the almost-certain consequences of trying to do so will be that CO2 regulation is strengthened by court order rather than demolished as he wants.
Watch the court cases coming. Remember that Mass v. EPA was settled by the Scalia SCOTUS, and is most unlikely to be overturned. Trump and Pruitt look like the two grifters in "Huckleberry Finn" peddling "The Royal Nonsuch ... ladies and children not admitted."
10
Denial, as foolish as it is, is just a smokescreen for greed and a knife in our children's back.
3
The Vienna Convention in 1985 and Montreal Protocol in 1987 was ratified by 197 countries (all UN countries plus others) to form a global coalition to stop the depletion of the ozone layer. The effort was led by US - through Democratic and Republican administrations. Even before the science and scientific consensus was far less strong than it is now for man made climate change (90 to 95% consensus among scientists is as good as it ever gets; science does not have 100% consensus - science works by having opposing views and weighing the scientific evidence at the time), the US led as scientific, innovation and global leader to unite the world to act to save the planet. Obama provided that same US led global response to a threat to the planet with the Paris Agreement. A majority of Republicans are now anti-science, anti-US global leadership in multinational organizations like UN or NATO, and care about short term money making. And Trump is a mafia boss, village idiot, rich brat, traitor who wants to undo everything associated with Obama no matter what the cost is to the country or planet.
2
"The unanswered question is whether the goals set in the Paris accord can be reached without United States participation."
That may be one unanswered question, but the other question is whether leaders in the U.S. (Michael Bloomberg, Jerry Brown and other governors, and even local leaders) can work to keep the Obama-era commitments abandoned by Trump and his administration. As clean energy becomes increasingly economical to produce, it seems that this is indeed possible.
I've been out of the U.S. for a couple of weeks, and have seen firsthand that the rest of the world is already addressing climate change... without Trump. He and his policies, while disappointing, are immaterial to the efforts already underway. So while Trump is certainly standing alone amid the rest of the world, he will also end up standing alone in his own country.
That may be one unanswered question, but the other question is whether leaders in the U.S. (Michael Bloomberg, Jerry Brown and other governors, and even local leaders) can work to keep the Obama-era commitments abandoned by Trump and his administration. As clean energy becomes increasingly economical to produce, it seems that this is indeed possible.
I've been out of the U.S. for a couple of weeks, and have seen firsthand that the rest of the world is already addressing climate change... without Trump. He and his policies, while disappointing, are immaterial to the efforts already underway. So while Trump is certainly standing alone amid the rest of the world, he will also end up standing alone in his own country.
10
We had already been on a trajectory that would have us 17% below 2005 levels by 2020 if it continued. That's really only been natural gas replacing coal and energy efficiency. No super heavy lifting.
The problem is, we aren't going to know because Trump is getting rid of the requirement to monitor emissions.
The ramp after 2020 will have to steepen and it will never happen with the Federal government in the way. So...Trump will have to go.
The problem is, we aren't going to know because Trump is getting rid of the requirement to monitor emissions.
The ramp after 2020 will have to steepen and it will never happen with the Federal government in the way. So...Trump will have to go.
19-1 wouldn't be so bad except that the one dissenter happens to be the 2nd biggest polluter on the planet and the one which used to be looked at as a leader among nations.
There is a photo circulating of Mr. Trump sitting alone at the table while, just behind him, the leaders of the G-20 nations were engaged in spirited conversations with each other. It is forever etched in my mind's eye.
There is a photo circulating of Mr. Trump sitting alone at the table while, just behind him, the leaders of the G-20 nations were engaged in spirited conversations with each other. It is forever etched in my mind's eye.
7
"To recap briefly, the accord sought to limit the rise in atmospheric temperatures to 2 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels and 1.5 degrees if possible. "
An, to its meager credit, in one lonely piece, even the NYTimes pointed out
that that sentence is a joke. The accord offered that as a pretense, but did not even suggest trying to meet it (assuming, of course, that a certain simulated ratio of CO2 production to temperature is correct).
To meet it would require, according to that assumption, at the absolute minimum, that every country, especially China and India, instantly stop
increasing CO2 generation and that a substantial amount already in the
air be sequestered.
This will not happen.
It the standard denialism of the truth that the Left is famous for.
An, to its meager credit, in one lonely piece, even the NYTimes pointed out
that that sentence is a joke. The accord offered that as a pretense, but did not even suggest trying to meet it (assuming, of course, that a certain simulated ratio of CO2 production to temperature is correct).
To meet it would require, according to that assumption, at the absolute minimum, that every country, especially China and India, instantly stop
increasing CO2 generation and that a substantial amount already in the
air be sequestered.
This will not happen.
It the standard denialism of the truth that the Left is famous for.
4
This is a mixture of false facts and "so what"? I agree that the accord is too weak, but what's the alternative?
3
To Doug in Champaign, IL
At least people outside of the U.S. are trying to stem the rise of CO2 in the atmosphere.
The denial of science and human rights is what the Right is famous for.
If the idiots now in office continue in there gleeful destruction of the advances of the past 50 years, they will suffer along with everybody else but they will also be pariahs.
At least people outside of the U.S. are trying to stem the rise of CO2 in the atmosphere.
The denial of science and human rights is what the Right is famous for.
If the idiots now in office continue in there gleeful destruction of the advances of the past 50 years, they will suffer along with everybody else but they will also be pariahs.
3
You forgot to start with "Once upon a time" and end with "And they lived happily ever after."
Trump and Pruit et. al. know climate change is real and that burning fossil fuels releases CO2 which is an important factor in climate change.
Oil and coal companies make money if their fuels are used.
Their making money TODAY is more important than the FUTURE effects of warming.
As the wife of Louis Quinze of France said
Apres moi le deluge.
But Trump et. al. can not say they care only about the fossil fuel companies' profits today so they must attack the science and the scientists who study climate change.
Logic and scientific facts will not change Donald's mind.
He believes he obtains political advantage from his current stand on climate change and use of fossil fuels.
Trump won because of support from displaced workers.
HRC told laid off coal miners to become call center operators at a fraction of their previous wage.
Trump promised them their jobs back.
Trump will not be able to keep that promise but the Dems must support programs to help laid off workers regain lost income.
In that way the Dems can elect members of Congress who can help reverse Trump's agenda.
Oil and coal companies make money if their fuels are used.
Their making money TODAY is more important than the FUTURE effects of warming.
As the wife of Louis Quinze of France said
Apres moi le deluge.
But Trump et. al. can not say they care only about the fossil fuel companies' profits today so they must attack the science and the scientists who study climate change.
Logic and scientific facts will not change Donald's mind.
He believes he obtains political advantage from his current stand on climate change and use of fossil fuels.
Trump won because of support from displaced workers.
HRC told laid off coal miners to become call center operators at a fraction of their previous wage.
Trump promised them their jobs back.
Trump will not be able to keep that promise but the Dems must support programs to help laid off workers regain lost income.
In that way the Dems can elect members of Congress who can help reverse Trump's agenda.
3
"HRC told laid off coal miners to become call center operators at a fraction of their previous wage."
What she actually said:
"So for example, I'm the only candidate which has a policy about how to bring economic opportunity using clean renewable energy as the key into coal country. Because we're going to put a lot of coal miners and coal companies out of business, right?
And we're going to make it clear that we don't want to forget those people. Those people labored in those mines for generations, losing their health, often losing their lives to turn on our lights and power our factories.
Now we've got to move away from coal and all the other fossil fuels, but I don't want to move away from the people who did the best they could to produce the energy that we relied on.
So whether it's coal country or Indian country or poor urban areas, there is a lot of poverty in America. We have gone backwards. We were moving in the right direction. In the '90s, more people were lifted out of poverty than any time in recent history.
Because of the terrible economic policies of the Bush administration, President Obama was left with the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression, and people fell back into poverty because they lost jobs, they lost homes, they lost opportunities, and hope.
So I am passionate about this, which is why I have put forward specific plans about how we incentivize more jobs, more investment in poor communities, and put people to work."
What she actually said:
"So for example, I'm the only candidate which has a policy about how to bring economic opportunity using clean renewable energy as the key into coal country. Because we're going to put a lot of coal miners and coal companies out of business, right?
And we're going to make it clear that we don't want to forget those people. Those people labored in those mines for generations, losing their health, often losing their lives to turn on our lights and power our factories.
Now we've got to move away from coal and all the other fossil fuels, but I don't want to move away from the people who did the best they could to produce the energy that we relied on.
So whether it's coal country or Indian country or poor urban areas, there is a lot of poverty in America. We have gone backwards. We were moving in the right direction. In the '90s, more people were lifted out of poverty than any time in recent history.
Because of the terrible economic policies of the Bush administration, President Obama was left with the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression, and people fell back into poverty because they lost jobs, they lost homes, they lost opportunities, and hope.
So I am passionate about this, which is why I have put forward specific plans about how we incentivize more jobs, more investment in poor communities, and put people to work."
3
"HRC told laid off coal miners to become call center operators"
That's an outright lie. She pledged billions of dollars for retraining coal workers to develop the technical skills they need to survive in the 21st century. They didn't want to hear it, they want to keep their high-paying jobs. But coal is not coming back. They bought the lie that Obama and Clinton had destroyed their way of life through regulations. Federal regulations are the reason many of them are still alive and not terminally ill with black lung. If it's one thing the oil, gas and coal companies have proved it's that they won't do anything for the safety of their employees without being forced to.
That's an outright lie. She pledged billions of dollars for retraining coal workers to develop the technical skills they need to survive in the 21st century. They didn't want to hear it, they want to keep their high-paying jobs. But coal is not coming back. They bought the lie that Obama and Clinton had destroyed their way of life through regulations. Federal regulations are the reason many of them are still alive and not terminally ill with black lung. If it's one thing the oil, gas and coal companies have proved it's that they won't do anything for the safety of their employees without being forced to.
4
Neither HRC [nor TRump] have any program to get laid off coal miners [or manufacturing workers] jobs at a wage anywhere near their previous wage.
If we do not address their concerns these laid off workers will vote for demagogues as bad or even worse than Donald.
HRC lost Pennsylvania, Ohio , Michigan Wisconsin [total 64 electoral votes].
Obama carried these states in 2008 and 2012.
If we do not address their concerns these laid off workers will vote for demagogues as bad or even worse than Donald.
HRC lost Pennsylvania, Ohio , Michigan Wisconsin [total 64 electoral votes].
Obama carried these states in 2008 and 2012.
1
Mr. Trump no doubt has too many ties to the energy and gas industry which is why he does not care about climate change. Some say "Sad!" I say "Dumb." Hard to live a healthy life if the atmosphere is foul.
3
He'll change his mind when the sea-water table shifts enough to effect land at Mar-A-Lago. Same for all those Red States in the middle of the country - they're waiting for the coast to come to them. Sad.
1
Don't forget that Trump is asking the state of Florida to pay for a sea wall to protect Mar-a-Lago, and Scotland to pay for a sea wall to protect his golf course.
So obviously he knows about sea rise. He just doesn't want to do anything to combat it. The lust for more and more wealth makes people insane, and there's no cure.
So obviously he knows about sea rise. He just doesn't want to do anything to combat it. The lust for more and more wealth makes people insane, and there's no cure.
2
If someone takes an action that harms me economically or physically I can sue that person for damages. Can I sue President Trump if his deliberate action to increase atmospheric carbon dioxide results in increased temperatures which result in my economic cost, such as more air conditioning? President Trump can't claim ignorance, since almost everyone knows his actions will cause harm and many have told him so.
3
The tobacco companies convinced many that smoking does not cause Cancer in the 1960's. Foolish people believed them. Now, a foolish president believes man-made climate change is a hoax. Mr. President, your New York and Florida homes will be under water by the time your youngest son is your age.
7
Does hyperbole contribute to climate change? If so we're doomed.
6
Science isn't hyperbolic.
5
Actually, science can get a little hyperbolic, especially when group think takes over and scientists accept as true fundamental assumptions.
But what is really hyperbolic is the media screeching about something they are simply using for political purposes - and when they couldn't explain the science and evidence for ACGW if they had to.
But what is really hyperbolic is the media screeching about something they are simply using for political purposes - and when they couldn't explain the science and evidence for ACGW if they had to.
3
Why the total dependence on Trump? It's as useless as asking Little Kim to save the world. In fact the rest of us need to pick up the slack. It's now up to the States, cities, responsible corporations (if they exist), schools (to teach values), parents, etc. Nothing will happen in Washington while the likes of Trump, McConnell, and Ryan reign supreme.
7
He's not a loner.
That agreement was just an economic framework for trading carbon credits; an emperor wearing no clothing.
There are plenty of people in the earth science community, including myself, who are waiting patiently for the rest of the world to come to its sense, and castigate the politicized junk science behind the mass hysteria and imbecility of faux climate alarmism.
That agreement was just an economic framework for trading carbon credits; an emperor wearing no clothing.
There are plenty of people in the earth science community, including myself, who are waiting patiently for the rest of the world to come to its sense, and castigate the politicized junk science behind the mass hysteria and imbecility of faux climate alarmism.
12
thank you, Objectivist. Not that going against the progressive narrative will get you many points here.
2
Your moniker is unintentionally ironic. You casually dismiss the unanimous finding of all climatologists that global warming is occurring, is primarily man made, and extremely harmful.
3
You use the word "unanimous" as though you actually believe that it is correct. And the factiods that you state are:
BALONEY.
No one believes that the dominant long period patterns of warming and cooling are man-made. Except maybe for imbeciles.
Man has only been around for a couple hundred-thousand years, and only generating meaningful CO2 for about six hundred. The long period cycles that create and delete ice ages have been ongoing for hundreds of millions of years.
Man (e.g. anthropogenic warming, in climate alarmist terms) contributes noise level changes to a huge natural cycle.
Plus, the numbers have been intentionally fiddled to align with the lies of the wackos who believe they can talk the population of earth to forego use of fossil fuels. That ain't going to happen.
Look at this chart, carefully:
https://www.climate.gov/sites/default/files/PaleoTemp_EPICA_large.png
Then, read this, carefully. Then think. A lot:
https://thsresearch.files.wordpress.com/2017/05/ef-gast-data-research-re...
Then, start referring to yourself and your fellow ideologues as a climate alarmist.
BALONEY.
No one believes that the dominant long period patterns of warming and cooling are man-made. Except maybe for imbeciles.
Man has only been around for a couple hundred-thousand years, and only generating meaningful CO2 for about six hundred. The long period cycles that create and delete ice ages have been ongoing for hundreds of millions of years.
Man (e.g. anthropogenic warming, in climate alarmist terms) contributes noise level changes to a huge natural cycle.
Plus, the numbers have been intentionally fiddled to align with the lies of the wackos who believe they can talk the population of earth to forego use of fossil fuels. That ain't going to happen.
Look at this chart, carefully:
https://www.climate.gov/sites/default/files/PaleoTemp_EPICA_large.png
Then, read this, carefully. Then think. A lot:
https://thsresearch.files.wordpress.com/2017/05/ef-gast-data-research-re...
Then, start referring to yourself and your fellow ideologues as a climate alarmist.
"It makes one wonder what could conceivably change Mr. Trump’s mind" which begs the question as to whether there is a mind there to change.
The globally averaged surface temperature (land & sea) of the Earth has been increasing at a rate of 0.3 F per decade for the last four and a half decades and there is no sign of this rate changing. By about 2030, the oceans' ability to absorb the heat in a timely manner will be overcome and things will start to get really warm.
Pruitt and Zinke and the rest of the Koch drones can roll back all the regulations they want but neither they nor Trump can repeal the laws of physics.
The globally averaged surface temperature (land & sea) of the Earth has been increasing at a rate of 0.3 F per decade for the last four and a half decades and there is no sign of this rate changing. By about 2030, the oceans' ability to absorb the heat in a timely manner will be overcome and things will start to get really warm.
Pruitt and Zinke and the rest of the Koch drones can roll back all the regulations they want but neither they nor Trump can repeal the laws of physics.
3
Trump is standing alone because everyone expects him to pick up the check and he refuses. The rest of the world wants our money, climate is a second rate issue.
9
After reading this post No wonder this country is in such bad shape..
15
Trump is standing alone because he never learned how to play well with others.
3
Barber shop talk. Sex, politics, religion and weather. If people accepted consensus on scientific matters, the earth would still be the center of the solar system and Galileo and Copernicus would be nobodies.
6
Good God, comments like these -- especially on the NY Times forum -- goes to show how anti-science propaganda from the petroleum industry really does effect the minds of ordinary people (without a clue about science).
4
As I recall, Galileo had quite a battle on his hands to try to convince people that his theory was true. "He was tried by the Inquisition, found "vehemently suspect of heresy", and forced to recant. He spent the rest of his life under house arrest" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galileo_Galilei
2
A leader must often be a loner. President Trump is leading us out of this mass hysteria over the imagined disaster of global warming or climate change, or whatever it is that we are calling it today. I believe more and more people are starting to see that. President Trump is doing what he can to put this phony issue on the ash heap of history.
6
You will be proved wrong. I just hope it's not too late for the rest of us, our children, our grandchildren.......
5
I think if we do exactly nothing to reduce CO2 emissions, the world and humanity will still be thriving in 100, 200, 500 years. If not, it will have had nothing to do with the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere.
It's rich to read the EB pontificating abour denialism in the world from 2016 onward.
1
We are being lead by a band of ignorant people. They are not educated and they don't believe those who are. When are we going to put some academic requirements on our leaders in the Oval office and the Congress. Anybody who even scratches the surface of climate research can see that climate change is real and is man made. Dig a little deeper and you will only find that its nothing to fool with. We are teetering on the edge of no return. No Return means No Return. I hope we have enough time to overturn these decisions through the peaceful political process. I personally am losing confidence. I still hope though.
5
First and foremost, Trump is not president for the good of America, Trump is president for the good of Trump. This is his only agenda, a personal one.
9
So that's the plan? Hope that Trump changes?
This from the progressive establishment which focused on The First Woman President & nominated Hillary, probably the only serious Democratic presidential candidate in the last half century more unpopular than Trump. God forbid that this establishment should now be looking for a candidate who, given a huge advantage in issues, can actually beat Trump in '20. Let's just hope.
This from the progressive establishment which focused on The First Woman President & nominated Hillary, probably the only serious Democratic presidential candidate in the last half century more unpopular than Trump. God forbid that this establishment should now be looking for a candidate who, given a huge advantage in issues, can actually beat Trump in '20. Let's just hope.
Trump might change his mind when knee-deep water impedes his golf-club swing on the first tee at Mar del Lago.
3
Aside from seeking ego strokes, Trump's chief motivation seems to be to erase all traces of President Obama's presidency. Too bad Mr. Obama didn't commit the U.S. to increasing carbon emissions; if he had, Trump would now be working overtime to lead the world in reducing our deleterious impact on the climate.
8
19 to 1 ! Kick out the 20th. Sadly, that's us.
2
The day is not too far off when insurance companies will refuse to insure Florida waterfront properties and when the CBO will report how much it's costing the taxpayer to provide federally-subsidized flood insurance to these (often wealthy) property owners.
One would like to think this would bring the reality of AGW home to our Dear Leader. But its's likely he would have already sold Mar-a-Lago to a group of Russian oligarchs: "investors" who would also have "invested" in his presidential campaigns.
One would like to think this would bring the reality of AGW home to our Dear Leader. But its's likely he would have already sold Mar-a-Lago to a group of Russian oligarchs: "investors" who would also have "invested" in his presidential campaigns.
6
Trump is 71 years old, and is well aware that the Earth will survive until he himself is gone. But in the meantime, he hopes to make a lot of money by letting the energy industry run rampant, and is hedging his bets by exhibiting a new piousness.
It's a sick man who can't comprehend that some day, there will be nobody left to admire The Great Donald Trump. Not even his own family descendants.
It's a sick man who can't comprehend that some day, there will be nobody left to admire The Great Donald Trump. Not even his own family descendants.
14
Trump, being the dim witted soul that he is, learned one tactic that worked for him politically - attack Obama and everything Obama ever did, including his birth. He is incapable of moving past this tactic.
3
The tone of this piece assumes that Mr. Trump is misguided or uneducated regarding man-made climate change. It is perfectly obvious--or should be by now--that his opposition to the Paris Accords is just yet another shibboleth for the 35% of the American voters in his tribe of know-nothing's. It's no different than "Obamacare is a disaster and is exploding", or "I would use water boarding and a lot worse".
And now we hear, again, the usual contradictory double-talk and plain gibberish about "taking another look at it..."--uttered in the moment when Mr. Macron has extended the ritual good feelings associated with the 200 year Franco-American friendship.
That it all dovetails nicely with Brannon's paranoid distrust of international cooperative agreements, the energy-industry's desire to keep the cost of coal, gas and oil as high as possible, and the many state and congressional office-holders' in their back pockets ensures the status quo. And oh, yes, it helps Putin too.
If we expect anything more than WWE-style theatrics from this buffoon, anything less than the petty feuds and vendettas that swirl around him and even among his inner circle of courtiers, we are the fools here.
Americas demise is backsliding until, like the trillion ton chunk of Antarctica now adrift and melting, we too will sink and melt away.
And now we hear, again, the usual contradictory double-talk and plain gibberish about "taking another look at it..."--uttered in the moment when Mr. Macron has extended the ritual good feelings associated with the 200 year Franco-American friendship.
That it all dovetails nicely with Brannon's paranoid distrust of international cooperative agreements, the energy-industry's desire to keep the cost of coal, gas and oil as high as possible, and the many state and congressional office-holders' in their back pockets ensures the status quo. And oh, yes, it helps Putin too.
If we expect anything more than WWE-style theatrics from this buffoon, anything less than the petty feuds and vendettas that swirl around him and even among his inner circle of courtiers, we are the fools here.
Americas demise is backsliding until, like the trillion ton chunk of Antarctica now adrift and melting, we too will sink and melt away.
14
The same corporations whispering in Trump's ear, explaining how promising jobs to former energy workers will win him adulation and votes, also control their very own Congress. A little light on Congress and those to whom they owe their allegiance could at least decrease their comfort.
Many in Congress, in particular the GOP, are immune to scientific facts and more enamored to backdoor dollars. Their artificially devised constituencies do not want to hear about realities that may affect their own comfort, consequently dooming their grandchildren to a very harsh future.
When the world needed leaders to be heroes, they chose their personal pleasures, turning their backs on an entire planet. Shame on them. Shame on us for electing them over and over again.
Many in Congress, in particular the GOP, are immune to scientific facts and more enamored to backdoor dollars. Their artificially devised constituencies do not want to hear about realities that may affect their own comfort, consequently dooming their grandchildren to a very harsh future.
When the world needed leaders to be heroes, they chose their personal pleasures, turning their backs on an entire planet. Shame on them. Shame on us for electing them over and over again.
6
Using words like “denialists,” the same word used in expressions like “holocaust denialists”, in the context of global warming is counterproductive. Here are some facts to consider:
-the large majority of climatologists believe there is global warming and that human activity is the dominant cause
-they base this on climate models. These models cannot be verified; it is the nature of the beast
-there has long been global warming; the Great Lakes formed about 14,000 years ago due to global warming, there was not significant human activity then
-climatologists assume that global warming accelerated in about 1870; however, we did not have weather satellites, accurate thermometers, and good record keeping until about 1970
-during the 1960’s-1980’s the Times and others published many strongly worded editorials urging DDT be completely banned. This was an over reaction, and as a result many feel there were millions of avoidable deaths from malaria.
-scientists, including climatologists usually get it right, but not always. There have been many examples of scientists forming a consensus that later proved to be exactly wrong. Avoiding peanuts, margarine is safer than butter, hormones in post-menopausal women, and many other theses proved themselves wrong.
We should be prudent regarding our stewardship of this Earth, and endeavor to reduce greenhouse gases. But at the same time lets avoid inflammatory language like the word “denialists” and keep our minds just a bit open.
-the large majority of climatologists believe there is global warming and that human activity is the dominant cause
-they base this on climate models. These models cannot be verified; it is the nature of the beast
-there has long been global warming; the Great Lakes formed about 14,000 years ago due to global warming, there was not significant human activity then
-climatologists assume that global warming accelerated in about 1870; however, we did not have weather satellites, accurate thermometers, and good record keeping until about 1970
-during the 1960’s-1980’s the Times and others published many strongly worded editorials urging DDT be completely banned. This was an over reaction, and as a result many feel there were millions of avoidable deaths from malaria.
-scientists, including climatologists usually get it right, but not always. There have been many examples of scientists forming a consensus that later proved to be exactly wrong. Avoiding peanuts, margarine is safer than butter, hormones in post-menopausal women, and many other theses proved themselves wrong.
We should be prudent regarding our stewardship of this Earth, and endeavor to reduce greenhouse gases. But at the same time lets avoid inflammatory language like the word “denialists” and keep our minds just a bit open.
5
As you admit, the science is in. Denialists are on the wrong side of intellect, reality, and compassion. They should be called what they are - ignorant dupes of the fossil fuel barons.
5
Alex -- excellent points. The most telling (although most readers of the Times don't know, don't understand, or don't care -- that the global climate record is riddled with problems going back to 1880 due to inadequate sampling. Even if we mark 1970 as a reasonable point to believe we have reliable data due to satellites, that is not enough of a time frame to determine a trend. And the ground temp stations in most of the world, which are still in use, don't adequately sample (Africa has 500 stations, US has 9000 for example).
Climate scientists base their conclusions on data collected from all over and around the planet. The data drives the models. As more data is collected, the models get better, and the results get more alarming.
There's skepticism, and then there's falling for bogus arguments hook, line, and sinker. wcdevins has it about right.
There's skepticism, and then there's falling for bogus arguments hook, line, and sinker. wcdevins has it about right.
2
Dear World: The great majority of We The People did NOT elect this character. We The People knew way in advance this subject was nothing but an ignorant buffoon and a two-bit bully with a big mouth but limited brain capacity, and less sense of shame. In fact he closely resembles a Pan troglodyte still in the process of evolving from the original ape that still believes in the flatness of the erth.
What you see is the misinterpretation of our electoral system designed to prevent a dictatorship of the majority. Instead, we are stuck with the result of a dictatorship imposed by the fringe segment of our society known as deplorables. This segment includes uneducated rurals and unemployable coal “minors.”
Thus, beloved world, We The People apologize for the pathetic and tweeting result. But despair not, the end is coming, and very rapidly.
What you see is the misinterpretation of our electoral system designed to prevent a dictatorship of the majority. Instead, we are stuck with the result of a dictatorship imposed by the fringe segment of our society known as deplorables. This segment includes uneducated rurals and unemployable coal “minors.”
Thus, beloved world, We The People apologize for the pathetic and tweeting result. But despair not, the end is coming, and very rapidly.
4
The entire thrust of the president's campaign pledge was to isolate America from the global stage and he has proceeded to do just that. His administration is not about inclusion but exclusion, perhaps the only campaign promise he has kept thus far.
2
You wrIte, "It makes one wonder what could conceivably change Mr. Trump’s mind" as if he had one, and by implication a conscience. Haven't you been listening to what he says and how he behaves? Who knows if he even thinks?
6
Trump is "unable to embrace" the fact that Obama was simply defending himself against the birther nonsense when he satirized Trump at the White House Correspondents' Dinner back in 2011. Trump is, however, wholly able to embrace narcissism, spite, and vengeance in stroking his bruised and fragile ego by undoing anything Obama got done for the good of the planet. Now the world gets to suffer under Trump's dark shadow. Elections do have consequences.
5
There is no evidence that Donnie cares one whit about any of us or our children or their children. He cares about Donnie and maybe his family. So something like anthropogenic climate change does not show up on his radar except as something to make fun of as an appeal to the anti science bent of a large but minority part of the voting public. Heck he doesn't care if disabled kids have health care or if our drinking water is polluted with lead and so on. It is time to stop being surprised at how mean spirited and destructive this guy is and just get about driving him from office.
4
Drill, Baby, Drill is now Kill, Baby, Kill. As in, the Planet.
6
Thanks for trying Manny, but you should have presented him with a gold necklace if you wanted to win him over. The Saudi's got it right.
The most emotionally needy man on the face of the earth responds well to obsequious gestures and fawning adulation.
World leaders take note of the above and hang on a bit longer until he is driven from power. Hopefully before he has ruined the planet.
The most emotionally needy man on the face of the earth responds well to obsequious gestures and fawning adulation.
World leaders take note of the above and hang on a bit longer until he is driven from power. Hopefully before he has ruined the planet.
5
Trump knows absolutely nothing about this and doesn't want to learn. This is one of those issues where Trump just goes by his ignorant uninformed "gut." Tragically, he is able to hold the rest of the world hostage. Millions of us want to tell the world how sorry we are this clown is president.
#notmypresident
#notmypresident
5
The real question is, who's exiting Paris next? It is, after all, a big nothing treaty, has done zero good, $$$ billions harm. And taken innocent lives. Two examples:
- The Grenfell fire, one building among hundreds in the U.K, slabbed with useless cladding costing millions government money. For what? Enriching greedy green vendors and minor savings in seasonal energy costs aka thermal efficiencies. Which, on net basis, are actually huge costs. Not to mention, lost lives. But smile, smile, easily justified based on green energy policies. Now hurry up and cut my check
- The increasingly rapid, almost instant shedding of wind and solar assets in the U.S. after the administration signaled reduced subsidies for wind/solar. Confirming what we've know since the resurgence of oil, gas, and clean coal: that the business case for renewable energy in developed countries is ZERO
Ideally the U.K. should leave next, but never mind Paris, they have their hands full exiting Brussels. India could, given their huge stocks of coal and PM Modi's vibes with Trump. Who needs Paris for wealth transfer? Bilateral works better, Modi could slip out any minute. China too, staring at huge overstock of Solar products, the U.S. cow no longer available for milking.
Let's face it: The Paris photo-op party celebrating junk science and their only beneficiaries, greedy green vendors, is oh so over. Last person (Macron), please turn off the lights (and dismantle turbines). Thank you.
- The Grenfell fire, one building among hundreds in the U.K, slabbed with useless cladding costing millions government money. For what? Enriching greedy green vendors and minor savings in seasonal energy costs aka thermal efficiencies. Which, on net basis, are actually huge costs. Not to mention, lost lives. But smile, smile, easily justified based on green energy policies. Now hurry up and cut my check
- The increasingly rapid, almost instant shedding of wind and solar assets in the U.S. after the administration signaled reduced subsidies for wind/solar. Confirming what we've know since the resurgence of oil, gas, and clean coal: that the business case for renewable energy in developed countries is ZERO
Ideally the U.K. should leave next, but never mind Paris, they have their hands full exiting Brussels. India could, given their huge stocks of coal and PM Modi's vibes with Trump. Who needs Paris for wealth transfer? Bilateral works better, Modi could slip out any minute. China too, staring at huge overstock of Solar products, the U.S. cow no longer available for milking.
Let's face it: The Paris photo-op party celebrating junk science and their only beneficiaries, greedy green vendors, is oh so over. Last person (Macron), please turn off the lights (and dismantle turbines). Thank you.
3
To answer your question; Who's exiting Paris next? -- It looks like Turkey.
Sorry to disturb your decidedly pessimistic and baseless view when it comes to the Paris Accord and climate change.
Sorry to disturb your decidedly pessimistic and baseless view when it comes to the Paris Accord and climate change.
1
Climate loner. Trade loner. Human rights loner. Putin-lover loner. Cyberbully loner. Women's rights loner.
A loner all around. Or maybe this is a typo, and you meant loser. A real loser all around.
A loner all around. Or maybe this is a typo, and you meant loser. A real loser all around.
9
Trump's family bought him entrance to prestigious schools that did not deal with the issue of awarding a degree to Airhead Trump, instead like so many others, they enabled his ignorance and lack of literacy.
Many people don't don't know the role of the French in our War for Independence? Who our ignoramus President Trump.
What clown College gave him and his family degrees with indicating his complete ignorance. In my case, the factoid came before I turn 14 and it was pounded into my head.By high school and then college, we were taught and destrd what trump doesn't know.
The ignorant fool should shut his mouth.
Many people don't don't know the role of the French in our War for Independence? Who our ignoramus President Trump.
What clown College gave him and his family degrees with indicating his complete ignorance. In my case, the factoid came before I turn 14 and it was pounded into my head.By high school and then college, we were taught and destrd what trump doesn't know.
The ignorant fool should shut his mouth.
1
Mr. Trump will only change as we all will when his body is returned to the earth he so disparages and the worms have their say. That is the only change for which we can hope.
6
Trump's golf resort in Ireland (Doonbeg, Co. Clare) has been in conflict with the Irish government on the issue of a wall. Trump wants a sea-wall to protect his property against the rising sea. He knows what's happening. He's an opportunist, a cynic, and a nasty man.
8
Things Trump cares about: Trump and his ego
Things Trump doesn't care about: everything else
God help us, we have a President who would rather have his tiny ego stroked by a few disgruntled coal miners than help save the planet.
He would rather listen to the idiocy of Pruitt and Bannon than follow the advice and heed the warnings of virtually every legitimate climatologist. This unbridled stupidity coupled with monumental arrogance makes Trump a grave danger to all of us, our children and their children. The fact that his family and their children are also threatened doesn't seem to matter to him. That's truly sad but, unfortunately, you can't fix STUPID.
Things Trump doesn't care about: everything else
God help us, we have a President who would rather have his tiny ego stroked by a few disgruntled coal miners than help save the planet.
He would rather listen to the idiocy of Pruitt and Bannon than follow the advice and heed the warnings of virtually every legitimate climatologist. This unbridled stupidity coupled with monumental arrogance makes Trump a grave danger to all of us, our children and their children. The fact that his family and their children are also threatened doesn't seem to matter to him. That's truly sad but, unfortunately, you can't fix STUPID.
6
One day, with a shrug, Trump will completely reverse himself on climate change, and say he believed in it all along. He doesn't give a hoot about anyone or anything and he's having gay old time annoying everyone around him, like a juvenile delinquent.
5
It's not that he won't believe, it's that he can't embrace anything that smacks of Globalism. If he could fix it 'alone' he would. The whole notion of a 'community of nations' working towards a common goal, in Trumpworld, is antithetical to making America great again and putting America First. How unfortunate he can't see the opportunity to become a world leader by putting the environment first, and then taking credit for it.
2
Trump had already demoted the United States when he stupidly withdrew the US support of the Paris accords. Thanks to Trump, Angel Merkel and Germany are now the Leaders of the Free World. America, as Trump convincingly displayed at the G20, is now the isolated odd man out, while the rest of the world continues on without the US.
2
Trump doesn't have a position on climate change. He has a posture. This is not about reason but about identity. Arguing facts, accusing him of ignorance are beside the point. Trump will no sooner change his mind about climate change than he will admit he has small hands.
3
Trump's denial of climate change is very much like his denial of the checks and balances and separation of power in our Constitution, or for that matter his denial of any truth given his propensity to lie for self aggrandizement. The Paris Climate Agreement is no different than Trump's objections to anything that President Obama initiated. Trump has yet to display rational response to nearly anything and cares only to be the petulant child that whips his loyal base into a frenzy of denial.
He will either self destruct with brazen tweets or the heat of investigations revealing conspiracy to tamper with our election process will convince enough of his supporters in Congress to vote for his impeachment before the mid term elections. Then the US can return to its place of leadership on the effort to reduce carbon emissions.
He will either self destruct with brazen tweets or the heat of investigations revealing conspiracy to tamper with our election process will convince enough of his supporters in Congress to vote for his impeachment before the mid term elections. Then the US can return to its place of leadership on the effort to reduce carbon emissions.
2
Trump's position on climate change is not based on any inability to see the reality of it. It's simply guided by the consistent Republican principle that anything that might negatively influence business profits is false and probably even evil. In that camp, greed will always top intellect.
2
Hopefully he will be out of office before more damage is done. He does not represent anywhere near the best of our country.
5
We are running out of time as a planet. I vote for leaving the US out of and Paris Accord. President Trump is frighteningly out of touch with reality. Why can't he at least think of his own children and grandchildren?
Because by the time his children and grandchildren are affected. they will be living in a gated air-conditioned enclosure surrouned by Trump's private army to protect them from the encroaching poor (and hot).
1
Your president is ignorant — and therefor incredibly dangerous.
26
DJT is just a fool. We might as well get over it because we're stuck with him.
His behavior with the President of France's wife was so cringe worthy, and he has no clue. Sad.
His behavior with the President of France's wife was so cringe worthy, and he has no clue. Sad.
12
Start personal and local. Bike, walk, mass transit/ Recycle. reuse. keep consumer spending to a minimum. Buy used items, shop at farmers markets. Car pool, cars are the biggest source of CO2 emissions and the United States leads the pack in this department. The cars are choking us to death.
A sheet of ice the size of Delaware is about to split off of Antarctica while the deniers, profiteers and Neanderthals are digging for coal and drilling for oil. Fracking is poison for the planet and for underground local water tables. don trump is a neanderthal. scott pruitt is destroyer of generations. stop them. investigate them, slow them down. kick them out. kick the Koch brothers out of power they are poisoning us with their oil and disregard for science.
A sheet of ice the size of Delaware is about to split off of Antarctica while the deniers, profiteers and Neanderthals are digging for coal and drilling for oil. Fracking is poison for the planet and for underground local water tables. don trump is a neanderthal. scott pruitt is destroyer of generations. stop them. investigate them, slow them down. kick them out. kick the Koch brothers out of power they are poisoning us with their oil and disregard for science.
6
@ Winston Smith - That is exactly the final point of every comment I have here today on renewable energy sources and with countless others. But as I note in one followup comment, comment writers are apparently not much interested in learning what they can do, for example using renewable they are not familiar with, but are interested in sticking close to the usual subject, Trump.
Here is the URL to my main comment stating that you the reader could start using heat pumps. So far no recommends.
You point to transportation but as I reported recently in comments filed after 32 days in the northeastern US, there are few public transport options for trips such as Boston to Albany. The train is 19th century and buses are not very good and must contend with the same Mass Turnpike traffic jams that cars contend with.
If there were a national move to heat pumps that might put the natural gas people out of business, so we are not going to see large-scale use.
http://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/14/opinion/mr-trump-the-climate-change-lo...
That was my heat-pump comment for the day.
Only-NeverInSweden.blogspot.com
Here is the URL to my main comment stating that you the reader could start using heat pumps. So far no recommends.
You point to transportation but as I reported recently in comments filed after 32 days in the northeastern US, there are few public transport options for trips such as Boston to Albany. The train is 19th century and buses are not very good and must contend with the same Mass Turnpike traffic jams that cars contend with.
If there were a national move to heat pumps that might put the natural gas people out of business, so we are not going to see large-scale use.
http://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/14/opinion/mr-trump-the-climate-change-lo...
That was my heat-pump comment for the day.
Only-NeverInSweden.blogspot.com
4
You do know that the personal and local meme is nothing but propaganda? Its like branding of corporate products. Oh buy our car and we'll donate...buy our X, because creative people, like these actors we picked, use it...
Virtue thru purchasing. The new American means to not actually be virtuous.
You can stop using water bottles...but your "carbon footprint" wont alter one bit. Nor make an impact. If where you live or work is in a "dirty" building, or most of your fellow workers are using water bottles, etc, etc...your impact is negated thousands of times over. How much fuel did those organic farmers use in their (older?) trucks to get to market? Or their refrigerated trucks? Or even their farm equipment? (Big Agri uses better, more fuel efficient equipment!) How efficient are the refrigerators in your local market? At Whole Foods?
Do you live in a climate controlled environment? Home, work, gym...? How about where you hang-out? IS the hipster pub/brewer/pie maker keeping it all clean?
Where does your poop go? Do you know? Are you composting it?
How many slave laborers helped you to get whatever trendy article of whatever you tote around and act all virtuous about? How about your electronic devices? What about your old ones? Where are they? What landfill...or better what 3rd world country got them so some kids could poison themselves stripping them of precious metals...?
And who did you vote for? Which 3rd party candidate did you vote for last year? Your friends...?
Virtue thru purchasing. The new American means to not actually be virtuous.
You can stop using water bottles...but your "carbon footprint" wont alter one bit. Nor make an impact. If where you live or work is in a "dirty" building, or most of your fellow workers are using water bottles, etc, etc...your impact is negated thousands of times over. How much fuel did those organic farmers use in their (older?) trucks to get to market? Or their refrigerated trucks? Or even their farm equipment? (Big Agri uses better, more fuel efficient equipment!) How efficient are the refrigerators in your local market? At Whole Foods?
Do you live in a climate controlled environment? Home, work, gym...? How about where you hang-out? IS the hipster pub/brewer/pie maker keeping it all clean?
Where does your poop go? Do you know? Are you composting it?
How many slave laborers helped you to get whatever trendy article of whatever you tote around and act all virtuous about? How about your electronic devices? What about your old ones? Where are they? What landfill...or better what 3rd world country got them so some kids could poison themselves stripping them of precious metals...?
And who did you vote for? Which 3rd party candidate did you vote for last year? Your friends...?
He is not a loner or a thinker, he is merely doing Putins bidding. Russia wants climate change. Who does he owe money to, the Saudis or Russians. And then ya got old Rex representing our oil cartel. Party on, I'm out.
4
Soon the NY Times should add more material on the post-Trump era of Pence (our gawd-awful governor, here in IN).
I just don't know how Pence will come down on the science of global warming, but I doubt if he'll change our isolation, not only on that issue, but also on global trade relations.
I told Pence, personally, that I knew why Japanese just loved coming to IN to set up industry. Its because they can out compete us every time because they don't pay their CEO 300 times what is pd. to the line worker. Our blue collar guys must be really demoralized working for such as GM, where Mary Parra made 30M the other year while they struggle to make 50K
I just don't know how Pence will come down on the science of global warming, but I doubt if he'll change our isolation, not only on that issue, but also on global trade relations.
I told Pence, personally, that I knew why Japanese just loved coming to IN to set up industry. Its because they can out compete us every time because they don't pay their CEO 300 times what is pd. to the line worker. Our blue collar guys must be really demoralized working for such as GM, where Mary Parra made 30M the other year while they struggle to make 50K
5
CEO jobs are never put out to competitive bidding. That is why these people are so extravagantly overpaid.
1
Trump does more to activate concern than to drown it.
2
Keep it up Mr. Trump. This latest hysteria will soon pass and we'll move on to another one, perhaps global cooling. The Left is nothing without something to be hysterical about.
2
And of course the Right shows no hysteria. Lol! They might be the most hysteria-rich among us. Immigrants! Taking jobs, that are not actually taken but given to them by wealthy white guys, who dont care about poor white guys! Terrorists! OMG! To date all we have is 9-11 to pin on foreign born terrorists. Meanwhile, most of the real terrorists are white guys, with guns, feeding off Hitlerian diatribes spouted by white male losers in camo pants!
Women in the workplace! Upsetting the natural order! Who should be denied birth control which only makes them uppity, and want to live without the scraps white males dole out! Business regulations! A pox on Corporate America! None of which has ever been proven to have actually put any of them out of business! Only forces them to be more crafty and slimy in how they avoid them! Environmental laws! Another pox! Because clean water and air should not even be on the list of concerns. While mining and other toxin producers should have right of way in ruining rivers, water tables and the air. Abortions! the work of Satan! Robbing lives, killing innocents! All while we bomb the same over seas, and deny the sick and needy here a truly xtian hand-up.
The GOP has made hysteria a political art-form. They play you folks like badly tuned guitars.
Women in the workplace! Upsetting the natural order! Who should be denied birth control which only makes them uppity, and want to live without the scraps white males dole out! Business regulations! A pox on Corporate America! None of which has ever been proven to have actually put any of them out of business! Only forces them to be more crafty and slimy in how they avoid them! Environmental laws! Another pox! Because clean water and air should not even be on the list of concerns. While mining and other toxin producers should have right of way in ruining rivers, water tables and the air. Abortions! the work of Satan! Robbing lives, killing innocents! All while we bomb the same over seas, and deny the sick and needy here a truly xtian hand-up.
The GOP has made hysteria a political art-form. They play you folks like badly tuned guitars.
2
Trump pulling out of the Paris Accord is like the teenager at a party acting depressed and sitting on the stairs to see who will come out there to try to talk him in. I think it nothing more than an attention getting device. Unlike former presidents Bush and clinton being concerned about whether their actions made the world a better place, Trump has one concern: his ego. He is the second ruler to which the saying "Apres moi, le deluge" aptly applies.
73
The world's coming to an end in no more than a decade--maybe two?--for most baby-boom narcissists.
He and the rest are likely long gone by the time things get hot enough really to start mattering.
He and the rest are likely long gone by the time things get hot enough really to start mattering.
2
Guess what? Prof --- it matters already!
1
Trump never learns and is jealous and hates President Obama. He won't wake up one day and say: "hey, all of the climatologists and President Obama are right. We need to join the rest of the world and fight climate change." What needs to happen is Trump and his climate denier radical enablers -- the fossil fuel-owned GOP -- need to lose office.
Elections have consequences, America. Your very planet needs you. VOTE!
Elections have consequences, America. Your very planet needs you. VOTE!
6
Americans inhabit a country whose rationale for existence stems from a rejection of established authority. Supporters of the war for independence insisted that government and other institutions derived their legitimacy from the needs of mankind and deserved to endure only as long as they served those needs. This deeply ingrained set of values fed a profound skepticism about the goals of individuals who exercised power.
Through most of our history this outlook inoculated us against support for autocrats or demagogues. Unfortunately, however, the accompanying belief in individual autonomy also bred an arrogant conviction in some Americans that trained experts lacked legitimacy because their intellectual authority did not depend on popular support.
Most Americans accept the findings of science, because those conclusions rest on the results of transparent experimental methods, not on the delphic utterances of a mysterious priesthood. But the fairly widespread denial of the predictions made by climate scientists demonstrates that the old hostility to authority remains encoded in our national dna.
Ironically, that misguided assertion of intellectual equality rendered its adherents vulnerable to the absurd claims of a profoundly ignorant snake oil salesman. Trump's eagerness to pander to popular prejudices about experts obscured his autocratic tendencies in the minds of many voters. Will they discover their emperor's nakedness when Miami disappears under the waves?
Through most of our history this outlook inoculated us against support for autocrats or demagogues. Unfortunately, however, the accompanying belief in individual autonomy also bred an arrogant conviction in some Americans that trained experts lacked legitimacy because their intellectual authority did not depend on popular support.
Most Americans accept the findings of science, because those conclusions rest on the results of transparent experimental methods, not on the delphic utterances of a mysterious priesthood. But the fairly widespread denial of the predictions made by climate scientists demonstrates that the old hostility to authority remains encoded in our national dna.
Ironically, that misguided assertion of intellectual equality rendered its adherents vulnerable to the absurd claims of a profoundly ignorant snake oil salesman. Trump's eagerness to pander to popular prejudices about experts obscured his autocratic tendencies in the minds of many voters. Will they discover their emperor's nakedness when Miami disappears under the waves?
10
Trump is making himself the poster boy for a worldwide catastrophe. He doesn't realize that by being the last holdout his name will forever be tied to the destruction to come. Remember "Hoovervilles"?
6
President Obama chided at the Correspondent's Dinner. Trump is a deeply flawed person, a grudge holder who does not let go. He despises Obama for the color of his skin. For the rest of us, we thought we were turning the political page on the pigment impediment.
Trump's goal is to destroy President Obama's legacy of achievement, but all he is destroying is the quality of our lives and the health of our children. For these reasons, Don Al Dough will be Impeached and go down in history as the vilest of presidents we ever elected.
http://thegovernmentinexile.live
Trump's goal is to destroy President Obama's legacy of achievement, but all he is destroying is the quality of our lives and the health of our children. For these reasons, Don Al Dough will be Impeached and go down in history as the vilest of presidents we ever elected.
http://thegovernmentinexile.live
4
It really is amazing how many Americans appear to live ony to make others miserable.
2
Have the Paris Agreement countries form a trade pact that leaves the U.S. on the outside looking in. That's the only thing that will get Trump to change his mind. If there are no political consequences for him he'll do nothing, or worse.
5
Trump's hard core supporters, the only people he cares about, wouldn't care.
2
If the goal of the Paris Accord is to keep temps from rising more than 2 degrees C above pre-industrial levels -- how do we know what the global avg temp was then, or in 1900?
The truth -- we don't know what the avg global temp was in pre-industrial times. We have estimates and extrapolations, but we don't know. How do I know that? Because the large land masses of the world had virtually no temp stations in 1900 or before -- & for that matter, very few now.
I'll use Africa as an example, but the same applies to S.America, Asia, Russia, Alaska, the Poles.
Africa accounts for roughly 20% of the global land mass. In 1900 there were fewer than 50 temp stations on the continent. Most on or near the coast. They weren't randomly placed and were not there to systematically measure global temps so it is unlikely a common method was used to collect data. This is not a sufficient sample by any stretch. Today, Africa has just 500 stations.
Contrast -- in 1900 the US had 1000 stations, today nearly 9k. The US has a common method and, by comparison to other areas except Europe, sufficient sampling. And the US shows (as even James Hansen admits) mostly normal variation in temps since 1900.
But the ROW doesn't -- but that doesn't prove temps are going up because the sample is not sufficient to claim reliability or validity of the measures.
But -- I'll play along. What was the avg global temp in pre industrial days? And why 2 degrees C as the limit?
The truth -- we don't know what the avg global temp was in pre-industrial times. We have estimates and extrapolations, but we don't know. How do I know that? Because the large land masses of the world had virtually no temp stations in 1900 or before -- & for that matter, very few now.
I'll use Africa as an example, but the same applies to S.America, Asia, Russia, Alaska, the Poles.
Africa accounts for roughly 20% of the global land mass. In 1900 there were fewer than 50 temp stations on the continent. Most on or near the coast. They weren't randomly placed and were not there to systematically measure global temps so it is unlikely a common method was used to collect data. This is not a sufficient sample by any stretch. Today, Africa has just 500 stations.
Contrast -- in 1900 the US had 1000 stations, today nearly 9k. The US has a common method and, by comparison to other areas except Europe, sufficient sampling. And the US shows (as even James Hansen admits) mostly normal variation in temps since 1900.
But the ROW doesn't -- but that doesn't prove temps are going up because the sample is not sufficient to claim reliability or validity of the measures.
But -- I'll play along. What was the avg global temp in pre industrial days? And why 2 degrees C as the limit?
1
This is not "play" and you are fooling yourself and anyone who "plays" along with you. Here's a good summary:
http://www.columbia.edu/~mhs119/Temperature/T_moreFigs/TsERSST.DecadalMa...
2C is not a limit, it is a hope agreed on by 195 nations. We have likely already blown past that in potential.
http://www.columbia.edu/~mhs119/Temperature/T_moreFigs/TsERSST.DecadalMa...
2C is not a limit, it is a hope agreed on by 195 nations. We have likely already blown past that in potential.
3
Arguing that we don't know what the pre-industrial climate was like, including both temperature and atmospheric gas composition, ignores a tremendous body of peer reviewed scientific research. We have detailed records from ice cores, deep marine sediments, lake cores, tree rings, and many other proxy data sets that match up with modern observations and extend deep (100,000's to 1,000,000's of yrs) into the past.
5
David and Susan -- what is the pre-industrial temp baseline? What year are we using? What is the baseline temp? Simple question. But no answer. As usual.
Susan, once again you fail to address the question. And you attach nothing more than global maps when it is very clear the sampling those anomalies are based on is insufficient. Ask any statistician.
David -- ice core samples -- fine -- but we're not talking millions of years here. What is the baseline temp?
Simple question. But no answers.
Moreover, if we are in such desperate straights, why allow China and India to keep increasing emissions?
And, the US is 5% of the global population. Our emissions are declining. Whatever the US does is irrelevant compared to what happens in the rest of the world. Right now we have the bigger per capita emissions, but that will change as more countries demand more energy. But even if you over weight the US -- let's say 10% of temp change -- up or down -- will be due to the US -- that still puts the burden on ROW primarily.
Susan, once again you fail to address the question. And you attach nothing more than global maps when it is very clear the sampling those anomalies are based on is insufficient. Ask any statistician.
David -- ice core samples -- fine -- but we're not talking millions of years here. What is the baseline temp?
Simple question. But no answers.
Moreover, if we are in such desperate straights, why allow China and India to keep increasing emissions?
And, the US is 5% of the global population. Our emissions are declining. Whatever the US does is irrelevant compared to what happens in the rest of the world. Right now we have the bigger per capita emissions, but that will change as more countries demand more energy. But even if you over weight the US -- let's say 10% of temp change -- up or down -- will be due to the US -- that still puts the burden on ROW primarily.
At worst we have 8 years of Mr. Trump's willful ignorance or worse concern solely with oligarch profits. Hopefully he cannot do irreparable damage in that time.
Just as with the Flat Earth Society, there will be those among us who'll gather to celebrate the leadership of the Climate Change Denier Society. Ignorance is bliss.
7
Ignorance sure doesn't make the afflicted look happy.
1
Nothing's he, or anyone else, can do about it. Just delaying the inevitable at this point.
1
Some facts:
1 Rex Tillerson's educational background is in civil engineering. This requires years of study in the hard sciences.
2 In 2010 Rex Tillerson publicly stated that "The world is going to have to continue using fossil fuels, whether they like it or not."
3 Furthermore he's always had close ties to Russian as well as Saudi Arabia and has made a fortune for Exxon and himself with oil deals.
4 Lastly, Exxon, under Rex Tillerson paid millions of dollars to global warming deniers.
This now brings us to his boss. Trump might be a disaster as a president, but he is not stupid. He realizes that global warming is real and probably understands the damage being done to the planet. He simply doesn't care because oil profits come first.
Oil digging off shore and in the Arctic, the continuous scandals about Trump's ties with with Russia, removing the U.S. from the Paris Accord, the millions who now believe that Global change is a hoax. The potential profits will be enormous, however our future generations will suffer the consequences. Trump has played his base very skillfully.
Trump hasn't drained the swamp, he's just increased the swamp size exponentially. It's all about oil.
1 Rex Tillerson's educational background is in civil engineering. This requires years of study in the hard sciences.
2 In 2010 Rex Tillerson publicly stated that "The world is going to have to continue using fossil fuels, whether they like it or not."
3 Furthermore he's always had close ties to Russian as well as Saudi Arabia and has made a fortune for Exxon and himself with oil deals.
4 Lastly, Exxon, under Rex Tillerson paid millions of dollars to global warming deniers.
This now brings us to his boss. Trump might be a disaster as a president, but he is not stupid. He realizes that global warming is real and probably understands the damage being done to the planet. He simply doesn't care because oil profits come first.
Oil digging off shore and in the Arctic, the continuous scandals about Trump's ties with with Russia, removing the U.S. from the Paris Accord, the millions who now believe that Global change is a hoax. The potential profits will be enormous, however our future generations will suffer the consequences. Trump has played his base very skillfully.
Trump hasn't drained the swamp, he's just increased the swamp size exponentially. It's all about oil.
7
I disagree that Trump is not stupid. He hides his lack of mental agility with bragadoccio and bullying. His aggressive behavior, mendacity and fundamental dishonesty fooled people who dealt with him and got him to rise way beyond the level of his abilities. Many of the people who support him do so because they like his lack of subtlety and resent educated elites.
2
He certainly is a genius at knowing where the cameras are and posing for them. He's also a genius at doing the wrong thing and exploiting the mean streak in humanity. The rest, he's just an evil genius.
2
It's not denialism so much as who he and the "republican" party mainly represents - the Oil and gas Industry. (the coal thing was just a ruse.)
5
To add, the irony here is that over-production of oil and natural gas (which we have now) keeps prices low (or crashed) and oil company profitability down.
1
trump's number 2 priority (after using the office to enrich himself and his family) is to erase all vestiges of Obama's two terms. That's why he quickly signed all those executive orders reversing sensible moves by the Obama administration, and why ANY "health care" bill that he can call "repeal and replace" must be passed, no matter how bad it is for the country.
7
We need leadership. The US oil-based hegemony is ending. Instead of leadership we have bluff and bluster (as well as fundamental dishonesty and a penchant for flattery). If he wants America to be great again, slamming the door on our future and foreclosing any energy source other than coal and oil is not the path.
7
The exhortation here is admirable, but futile. The startling fact is that neither #45 nor the GOP care one iota about the state of the planet, the people who live on it, nor any of the non-human life threatened therein. Their focus is solely on wealth accumulation, political perpetuation, and social stratification. Theirs is a suicidal as well as genocidal mission, devoid of spiritual value and any common good, meant to destroy us all.
8
Nothing will change Trump's mind, nor the minds of GOP hardliners, who are blindly obsessed with eradicating all evidence that Obama was ever president, no mater the cost. There's a toxic mix of psychological deficiency and stupidity at work: all Trump cares about is instant adulation and box checking by his loyal supporters. And when someone like Ted Cruz bashes the Paris accord because it only reduces global temperatures by a degree or two - never mind the crucial effect of stopping temperature increase - what we are left with is this mind blowing intransigence. Who would ever imagined the day when our nation's leadership would be out of step with the energy policy and wishes of Exxon??
3
Is there at the deniailism, it's merely a stage in negotiation. President Obama's worldwide strategy was about American apologizing, which is ridiculous. India and China have stolen at minimum 15 to 20% of worldwide jobs from the rest of the world. We don't need to pay for their ability to assist with climateach change. They need to step up not have us give them $2 trillion dollars.
Looking for our sense in our liberal colleagues. We can't give healthcare for free to half our population without dealing with the cost structures. We can't deal with climate change if half the nation's aren't going to contribute to assisting in it. We need to be sensible, and stop with all the emotion.
Looking for our sense in our liberal colleagues. We can't give healthcare for free to half our population without dealing with the cost structures. We can't deal with climate change if half the nation's aren't going to contribute to assisting in it. We need to be sensible, and stop with all the emotion.
Population growth diminishes the value of every individual. That is your problem.
Hmmmm...
'STOLE'????
Like the GOP, lets blame someone else our problems. Why not blame companies such as Apple for manufacturing Iphones overseas? Why not blame Apple's stock holders for enjoying a 950+% return in the past 10yrs? Why not blame yourself if you have Apple stocks in your 401k or IRA plan?
I guess Walmart will be going out of business soon since American consumers would rather pay higher prices for made in America goods.
'STOLE'????
Like the GOP, lets blame someone else our problems. Why not blame companies such as Apple for manufacturing Iphones overseas? Why not blame Apple's stock holders for enjoying a 950+% return in the past 10yrs? Why not blame yourself if you have Apple stocks in your 401k or IRA plan?
I guess Walmart will be going out of business soon since American consumers would rather pay higher prices for made in America goods.
1
The only thing these countries want is to extract money from the United States.
The Republicans sure are making pursuit of a STEM career a heartbreaking exercise in futility
1
You're speaking like a true American. Try spending a little time in France or Germany, and then see if you can figure out what makes your comment both flat out wrong and totally embarrassing.
1
I've been to both countries. They are lovely, and the food is great. But, people around the world think the US should be the world's ATM. The fact is we are heavily in debt, and our infrastructure is crumbling. We can't afford to give anyone anything. We are drowning.
An even more promising scenario is that our next president is not in the pocket of Putin and the fossil fuel industry.
2
Chasing Coral: someone get Pruitt and Zinke to watch it. Then again, perhaps these men have no souls.
4
They do not care. They are insulated from the changes by their wealth. As long as they see their portfolios keep increasing they will do nothing to change their ways. You want to see them change their minds on climate change and the environment find a way to make it more profitable to them then what they are currently doing. That is all they care about. They are not going to do anything out of the goodness of their heart, because they are not kind caring people.
Trump’s ignorance is deadly serious.
Massive methane reserves exist below the Arctic Ocean floor and Arctic land areas. They represent around 100 times the amount required to cause another Permian style major extinction event. These large quantities of methane hydrates are trapped in a frozen state. As temperatures rise from CO2 emissions and surface ice melts, darkened Arctic land mass is being exposed to the sun. Also, Arctic oceans are being subjected to warming as melting ice exposes dark waters. As temperatures rise beyond the hydrate freezing point on land and in oceans, which is now occurring, methane is being released.
A methane hydrate feedback loop will begin to “kick in” after a 2 C degrees (3.6 F degrees) increase. Our civilization is approaching that 2 C figure. Global temperatures will then rise rapidly. Many scientists are telling us that temperatures far in excess of 4 C degrees are predicted due to a runaway increase in CH4 as a result an Arctic methane hydrate feedback loop. During the Permian extinction; after 6 C degrees was reached, the ocean surface waters at their extreme eventually reached more than 40 degrees Celsius. (104 degrees Fahrenheit) That led to near total planetary life extinction.
www.InquiryAbraham.com
Massive methane reserves exist below the Arctic Ocean floor and Arctic land areas. They represent around 100 times the amount required to cause another Permian style major extinction event. These large quantities of methane hydrates are trapped in a frozen state. As temperatures rise from CO2 emissions and surface ice melts, darkened Arctic land mass is being exposed to the sun. Also, Arctic oceans are being subjected to warming as melting ice exposes dark waters. As temperatures rise beyond the hydrate freezing point on land and in oceans, which is now occurring, methane is being released.
A methane hydrate feedback loop will begin to “kick in” after a 2 C degrees (3.6 F degrees) increase. Our civilization is approaching that 2 C figure. Global temperatures will then rise rapidly. Many scientists are telling us that temperatures far in excess of 4 C degrees are predicted due to a runaway increase in CH4 as a result an Arctic methane hydrate feedback loop. During the Permian extinction; after 6 C degrees was reached, the ocean surface waters at their extreme eventually reached more than 40 degrees Celsius. (104 degrees Fahrenheit) That led to near total planetary life extinction.
www.InquiryAbraham.com
9
The CO2 emissions almost certain to occur over just the next 25 years are of the scale needed to trigger this runaway positive feedback.
If you were to put the science in a tweet, maybe, just maybe, trumpy would read it, otherwise not. He doesn't care about what could happen, he cares about money and power!
Sure, but don't you look forward to swimming off the coast of Greenland?
"A more promising scenario is that someday Mr. Trump will awaken to the fact that the leaders of the world, who again and again have demonstratively turned their backs on him, regard him with astonishment and dismay."
Yep, Trump is going to pivot. He's going to change. He's going to become presidential. He's going to...blah, blah, blah.
Once again, the NY Times expresses hope that Donald Trump, against all evidence, will suddenly (or even gradually) change his ways. The man is an idiot. It may be rude to say that, but softer expressions of his stupidity are simply not accurate.
Trump is impervious to what others think of him. He's sure they all think he's the greatest, because he knows he's the greatest. When I imagine Trump getting up in the morning, I think the first thing he does is gaze at his own reflection and say "Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the greatest of them all?"
And the mirror, unlike the queen's mirror in Snow White, which was connected to reality, responds "You are, Donald. You are!" "I know," says Trump. "I know I am."
Yep, Trump is going to pivot. He's going to change. He's going to become presidential. He's going to...blah, blah, blah.
Once again, the NY Times expresses hope that Donald Trump, against all evidence, will suddenly (or even gradually) change his ways. The man is an idiot. It may be rude to say that, but softer expressions of his stupidity are simply not accurate.
Trump is impervious to what others think of him. He's sure they all think he's the greatest, because he knows he's the greatest. When I imagine Trump getting up in the morning, I think the first thing he does is gaze at his own reflection and say "Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the greatest of them all?"
And the mirror, unlike the queen's mirror in Snow White, which was connected to reality, responds "You are, Donald. You are!" "I know," says Trump. "I know I am."
16
The more he denies, the more attention he gets. Attention = love. The hole in his heart will swallow the world if we let it.
17
Trump's lack of leadership and idiotic stance on climate change has taken the federal government down a hole. It is up to the states to act on their own. I think world leaders know that Trump is a joke and that a real president will be in office in three plus years, or sooner. In the meantime, they will deal with governors.
10
US states are a circular firing squad undercutting each other in a ludicrous competition to send their most venal people to Washington to leave them alone.
He has thrown his lot in with the adoring Feral Third of the population that elected him in the face of overwhelming scientific evidence based simply on his ego and one more opportunity to hit back "10 times harder" at his predecessor. We may just as well have elected the worst middle school bully in the country...or a Ferengi...
23
Trump is a denier of climate change only in the barest sense of the term.
He denies not because he has an opinion on the matter, but solely to create conflict (which he loves to do) and to get attention from this conflict.
He doesn't have any interest in educating himself about climate, or anything else.
The NY Times Editorial Board talking about changing Trump's mind is completely missing the point, and shows the lack of discernment that also characterized Hillary Clinton's failed candidacy.
Think for yourself?
He denies not because he has an opinion on the matter, but solely to create conflict (which he loves to do) and to get attention from this conflict.
He doesn't have any interest in educating himself about climate, or anything else.
The NY Times Editorial Board talking about changing Trump's mind is completely missing the point, and shows the lack of discernment that also characterized Hillary Clinton's failed candidacy.
Think for yourself?
7
Trump's actions are perverse. The US should be accelerating its efforts to develop greener technologies and taking advantage of its universities and companies to exploit the vast economic opportunities before us. Instead, Trump, with the approval of many in the GOP, has turned the country into the prevailing winds in what seems to be an attempt to return us to the 1950s.
9
You should also note that Mr. Trump is not only alone on the international stage, but also here at home on the national stage as well. California Governor, Jerry Brown, has taken the lead in organizing fellow governors and mayors to adhere to the Paris,accord. As the world's sixth largest economy and a long-time leader in environmental protection, California has tremendous influence, especially in the area of auto emissipns. We can only hope that major industrial polluters will continue to abandon coal and work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions with renewable, green energy.
16
Imagine a powerful real estate agent who takes over not a local town government, but a national one. He has developed all over the world and realizes that global warming and climate change will render his previous costal and warm weather resorts worthless in the next century. Meanwhile, he realizes that the Arctic Ocean will become the pristine real estate zone of the 22nd century. Used to political maneuvering to set up his deals, he cozies up to another national leader with huge shoreline on the soon to melt icecap, and with the ex governor of the single state with Arctic frontage, secretly buying options. Of course, if his great grandchildren are to reap the benefits of this, he will have to pretend global warming is not occurring, and of course, even worse, do whatever he can while he is in power to accelerate it. Trump's attitude is not based on ignorance, although his ploy would be to make one think so.
3
Every US state is dominated by real estate developers and statehouse lawyers.
Mr. tRump has always been happy as a loner, relegating anyone who disagreed with him to a pile of nothingness in his mind.
His entire presidency, to date, has been directed totally at eliminating any and everything even thought of, much less enacted, by President Obama. It is nothing more than a childish bully, tearing down anything or anyone who opposed him.
It is pitiful that the government of the United States has fallen to this degree of self-loathing --- but I suppose that at some point in time, every government must endure its own Caligula.
His entire presidency, to date, has been directed totally at eliminating any and everything even thought of, much less enacted, by President Obama. It is nothing more than a childish bully, tearing down anything or anyone who opposed him.
It is pitiful that the government of the United States has fallen to this degree of self-loathing --- but I suppose that at some point in time, every government must endure its own Caligula.
9
If you give Trump enough "love" and adulation, he'll get back into it -- hence his "Something could happen" comment to Macron. He doesn't even know what climate change is (or what's in the Trumpcare bill). Hopefully, Macron's strategy will work.
5
While motoring through the state of Wyoming during the past few weeks, admittedly at very high speeds since there's no law enforcement on the highways there, we noticed one thing: the utter paucity of solar panels. A state that appears to have a very high solar exposure has no solar energy exploitation going on, or if there is any, it's negligible. Instead it hosts a vast array of rocker pumps and gas containment vessels as well as innumerable pipelines and several robust oil refineries, to say nothing of behemoth coal mines. Its Congressional team is well paid to ensure that the fossil fuel bonanza goes on forever, and that no one thinks of wind or solar alternatives.
16
If you had an infrared camera you would also have seen the copious leakage of methane from these production facilities.
Wind energy would be even better for Wyoming. It's wind resources are amongst the best in the world.
The prevalence of refineries and mines may also speak to quality of life issues in Wyoming, as it is the least populated state in the country. It is also the most staunchly Republican state, and gets to send 2 senators to Washington to represent its 586,000 people. Wyoming's negative impact on the air we all breathe, and its disproportionate influence on federal lawmaking is truly disgusting.
No need to panic.
Even without america some challenges are met. We are about to prove that large economies can run on green energy. We also have brought down the expenses to a level that green energy is actually cheaper than fossil fuel. And we can mass-produce sustainable power plants.
Also, most american states are still committed to the paris accord.
Trump may be a loner, but his country isn't. Even with Trump trying to do as much discord as possible, he can't choke off the change. After Trump it will be not that hard to catch up with the rest of the world again.
Even without america some challenges are met. We are about to prove that large economies can run on green energy. We also have brought down the expenses to a level that green energy is actually cheaper than fossil fuel. And we can mass-produce sustainable power plants.
Also, most american states are still committed to the paris accord.
Trump may be a loner, but his country isn't. Even with Trump trying to do as much discord as possible, he can't choke off the change. After Trump it will be not that hard to catch up with the rest of the world again.
14
The US is terminally allergic to learning anything from other countries
Trump doesn't believe in Climate Change being influenced by people's actions because that's not what the industrialist want. If they did, it would mean that they would have to make changes which costs money. By holding on the narrative that the Earth has been changing since the beginning (ice ages) man is not responsible they get a bye on making changes. Trump has been bought by them. Hence he will not budge.
8
Little In the Times but Trump Dismay.
Dismay all year, dismay today.
Yet it all can be explained away.
Oil millionaires tell him what to say.
Dismay all year, dismay today.
Yet it all can be explained away.
Oil millionaires tell him what to say.
8
Trump will only believe in climate change when Mar-a-Lago is under water. As for Pruitt, Zinke et al, they're in the pocket of the fossil fuel industry and should be charged with corruption and crimes against humanity.
14
And Mar-a-Lago could be under water sooner rather than later. Already Miami is experiencing that awful and permanent phenomena. It may take that to alert our dullard president that whether it's climate change made by man or not, something will have to be done to address the disappearance of coastal communities. No one took the disappearing coast and it's grasslands seriously in Louisiana. I'd recommend the movie Beat of the Southern Wild. I'd hate to think some of the science fiction movies we've enjoyed so long have actually predicted the demise of our ability to live a life that isn't filled with terror of losing everything.
No offense to the NYT Editorial Board, but they need to do what most of the European leaders have done when it comes to dealing with Donald Trump on climate change -- leave him alone, and move on.
12
Headline from 2100: Alaska hits 105F today. Tens of thousands more elk die from CO2 asphyxiation due to release of gases from melting permafrost.
OR
Homeowners in Greater Miami sue government. As their properties disappear under rising waters they believe the government was lax in taking preventive measures saying it all started with the GOP takeover and the Trump administration plus continued republican legislative interference
For meaningful action over the years.
OR
Death toll rises 17% since middle of century for children under 12 due to air quality changes.
OR
2.9 million die this summer around the world from temperature hikes. That figure will rise another 25% within 10 years.
OR
US declares bankruptcy due to trillions of dollars of expense from damaging weather. World markets react.
OR
Final edition: July 17, 2123: I heard a bird singing.
Final edition: July 17, 2124: Silence. Earth nearing end. Experiment over.
THIS IS WHAT YOU BROUGHT UPON US MR. TRUMP. THERE WILL BE NO ESCAPE, EVEN FOR YOUR DECENDENTS!
OR
Homeowners in Greater Miami sue government. As their properties disappear under rising waters they believe the government was lax in taking preventive measures saying it all started with the GOP takeover and the Trump administration plus continued republican legislative interference
For meaningful action over the years.
OR
Death toll rises 17% since middle of century for children under 12 due to air quality changes.
OR
2.9 million die this summer around the world from temperature hikes. That figure will rise another 25% within 10 years.
OR
US declares bankruptcy due to trillions of dollars of expense from damaging weather. World markets react.
OR
Final edition: July 17, 2123: I heard a bird singing.
Final edition: July 17, 2124: Silence. Earth nearing end. Experiment over.
THIS IS WHAT YOU BROUGHT UPON US MR. TRUMP. THERE WILL BE NO ESCAPE, EVEN FOR YOUR DECENDENTS!
6
There is something that is radically wrong with our president if he can't accept or recognize the obvious -- that climate change is real and is not "fake news".
The only thing that is fake, unfortunately for us, is the president, himself.
We are now living through a national nightmare of epoch proportion, thanks in large part to the Kremlin's involvement in helping to secure the U.S. presidency for Donald J. Trump, their "puppet-in-chief".
And it would appear that the only thing that registers "sub-zero" on Trump's limited radar is his IQ.
The only thing that is fake, unfortunately for us, is the president, himself.
We are now living through a national nightmare of epoch proportion, thanks in large part to the Kremlin's involvement in helping to secure the U.S. presidency for Donald J. Trump, their "puppet-in-chief".
And it would appear that the only thing that registers "sub-zero" on Trump's limited radar is his IQ.
19
If we all remember Pol Pot,the Taliban, and so many other conservative reactionary unscientific governments "going back to basics" use fundamentalism as a means of tearing down the work of those who came before them.
We are now governed by the American Taliban.
We are an outlier in the world, SAD!
We are now governed by the American Taliban.
We are an outlier in the world, SAD!
12
Not just an climate change loner, but given his in-the-pockets-of-fossil-fuel appointees to the EPA and the sweeping and dangerous plans they've announced, Trump is an environmental terrorist and an enemy of the planet.
11
Thank goodness we are out of the Paris Accord, an international agreement that Obama carefully crafty to not be called a treaty so it couldn't be reviewed by the American people through elected representatives, the Senate, as required by our Constitution.
Let's review the surface temperature data from an Alarmist site. Note that the rise from 1910 to 1940 was very similar to the rise from 1970 to 2000. And, since 2000 the temperature rise has leveled off even as humans have spewed ever more CO2 into the atmosphere. The correlation to CO2 is weak overall, negative from 1880 to 1910, and falling apart with the 2000-now "pause". The Alarmist claims continue to fall apart. For example, zero large Atlantic hurricanes have hit our shores since Katrina even while Alarmists claimed that by increasing the CO2 content many more larger ones would.
It's time to get beyond labeling people who review the data as Denialists and have an honest scientific debate.
https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/monitoring-content/sotc/global/2014/ann/timese...
Let's review the surface temperature data from an Alarmist site. Note that the rise from 1910 to 1940 was very similar to the rise from 1970 to 2000. And, since 2000 the temperature rise has leveled off even as humans have spewed ever more CO2 into the atmosphere. The correlation to CO2 is weak overall, negative from 1880 to 1910, and falling apart with the 2000-now "pause". The Alarmist claims continue to fall apart. For example, zero large Atlantic hurricanes have hit our shores since Katrina even while Alarmists claimed that by increasing the CO2 content many more larger ones would.
It's time to get beyond labeling people who review the data as Denialists and have an honest scientific debate.
https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/monitoring-content/sotc/global/2014/ann/timese...
6
What are you saying the chart indicates? Also is your argument that as you add greenhouse gases to an essentially closed system there will be no effect? Does the melting of the tundra not matter to the earth's ecosystem?
4
Does Superstorm Sandy count?
7
@ Morgano01944 - Think what you will but my now 10 years of renewable energy in my home, my neighbor's and the other home where I spend much of my time says that the real reason for using renewable is simply that it is so much nicer to live with.
In the US I never had an oil burner system that was other than just barely tolerable. And there were the electric water heaters that were not great. Here heat pumps and fjärrvärme (cities heated by hot water coming from solid-waste incineration) systems are so much nicer that I could never again imagine living in a fossil-fuel house.
Only-NeverInSweden.blogspot.com
In the US I never had an oil burner system that was other than just barely tolerable. And there were the electric water heaters that were not great. Here heat pumps and fjärrvärme (cities heated by hot water coming from solid-waste incineration) systems are so much nicer that I could never again imagine living in a fossil-fuel house.
Only-NeverInSweden.blogspot.com
7
Could not Scott Pruitt at the Environmental Protection Agency and Ryan Zinke at the Interior Department be personnally sued for endangering the future of Humanity, at, e.g., the Hague International Court?
15
Developed countries pledged to provide $100 billion a year to developing countries -- did you know this?
SOURCE: "So What Exactly is in the Paris Climate Accord?" (NPR, 6/1/2017)
"To help developing countries switch from fossil fuels to greener sources of energy and adapt to the effects of climate change, the developed world will provide $100 billion a year," NPR's Christopher Joyce reports. But that amount is identified as a "floor," not a ceiling. "Developed countries won inclusion of language that would up the ante in subsequent years," he explains, "so that financial aid will keep ramping up over time."
Most of us wish the US would make a meaningful commitment to fight global warming, but -- let's face it -- developed countries' "commitments" to the Paris Accord weren't going to be fulfilled no matter what the US did. The US' share of that $100 billion a year "floor," for example, was capped at 30%, or $30 billion a year. Would US taxpayers accept an additional $30 billion a year in taxes, or would the US simply issue more bonds? Would taxpayers in other developed countries accept higher taxes to fund the remaining $70 billion a year?
If a party to an agreement really intends to comply, it may not pick and choose among obligations. It must fulfill all of them.
When various groups pledged to fulfill the US commitment to the Paris Accord that Trump backed out of, did any of them commit to this $100 billion a year obligation? Did any even mention it?
SOURCE: "So What Exactly is in the Paris Climate Accord?" (NPR, 6/1/2017)
"To help developing countries switch from fossil fuels to greener sources of energy and adapt to the effects of climate change, the developed world will provide $100 billion a year," NPR's Christopher Joyce reports. But that amount is identified as a "floor," not a ceiling. "Developed countries won inclusion of language that would up the ante in subsequent years," he explains, "so that financial aid will keep ramping up over time."
Most of us wish the US would make a meaningful commitment to fight global warming, but -- let's face it -- developed countries' "commitments" to the Paris Accord weren't going to be fulfilled no matter what the US did. The US' share of that $100 billion a year "floor," for example, was capped at 30%, or $30 billion a year. Would US taxpayers accept an additional $30 billion a year in taxes, or would the US simply issue more bonds? Would taxpayers in other developed countries accept higher taxes to fund the remaining $70 billion a year?
If a party to an agreement really intends to comply, it may not pick and choose among obligations. It must fulfill all of them.
When various groups pledged to fulfill the US commitment to the Paris Accord that Trump backed out of, did any of them commit to this $100 billion a year obligation? Did any even mention it?
1
You do realize the Paris Accords are not a binding document or agreement, right?
3
The Syrian refugee migration is but a drop in the bucket to what will occur when large parts of the globe become uninhabitable. What then, do we start shooting the climate refugees at our borders because bullets and soldiers are cheaper than what we might have done to prevent the catastrophe in the first place.
I am constantly amazed by the short sighted often ignorant ideas of those who would just continue blissfully on their merry way with no regard to the future of their children.
I am constantly amazed by the short sighted often ignorant ideas of those who would just continue blissfully on their merry way with no regard to the future of their children.
1
MVH1,
Of course I understand that.
But I wouldn't press that point if I were you, since it makes the Paris Accord look insignificant. True, the developed countries are free not to provide that $100 billion a year, but the developing countries made clear that they will have no obligation to cut emissions, or to do anything else at all, unless they receive the full $100 billion a year. Even if the US provides its $30 billion annual share, no developing country has any obligation to do anything at all -- cut emissions, switch to greener energy, whatever -- unless the developing countries receive the additional $70 billion each year.
And what happens if one of the developed countries doesn't provide its full share? Suppose, for example, that $2 billion of the $100 billion a year is allocated to Italy but Italy provides only $1 billion. Must Germany (for example) make up Italy's shortfall, even if Germany has provided its full agreed share (say, $10 billion)? If not, no developing country will have any obligation. Would Germany provide even its own $10 billion share if it knows the developing countries will have no commitment -- legal or moral -- to do anything at all unless they get the full $100 billion?
Each of us can -- and I do -- try to reduce his or her "carbon footprint." But we're discussing here the Paris Accord. The US is faulted for "pulling out" of it, but didn't the US simply do what every other signatory will do? After all, as you point out, it's not binding.
Of course I understand that.
But I wouldn't press that point if I were you, since it makes the Paris Accord look insignificant. True, the developed countries are free not to provide that $100 billion a year, but the developing countries made clear that they will have no obligation to cut emissions, or to do anything else at all, unless they receive the full $100 billion a year. Even if the US provides its $30 billion annual share, no developing country has any obligation to do anything at all -- cut emissions, switch to greener energy, whatever -- unless the developing countries receive the additional $70 billion each year.
And what happens if one of the developed countries doesn't provide its full share? Suppose, for example, that $2 billion of the $100 billion a year is allocated to Italy but Italy provides only $1 billion. Must Germany (for example) make up Italy's shortfall, even if Germany has provided its full agreed share (say, $10 billion)? If not, no developing country will have any obligation. Would Germany provide even its own $10 billion share if it knows the developing countries will have no commitment -- legal or moral -- to do anything at all unless they get the full $100 billion?
Each of us can -- and I do -- try to reduce his or her "carbon footprint." But we're discussing here the Paris Accord. The US is faulted for "pulling out" of it, but didn't the US simply do what every other signatory will do? After all, as you point out, it's not binding.
Because European Views are better.
Give me my man-purse.
Give me my man-purse.
2
Goodness, where has it been stated ever that "European Views" are better? That European views on anything Trump is trashing are being brought to the fore is only because these views are shared by intelligent thinkers the world over, including China, Japan and a number of other countries. Most of us like to think saving the planet is an endeavor we're all in agreement is worthwhile, unlike our out of touch, incurious president who disagrees mostly because somebody didn't tell him he was the greatest or that he can't seem to be invited to the respectable and worthwhile clubs of the world. Our emperor wannabe is not only naked, he's parading around in public that way.
Job 38:1-6
1 Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,
2 Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?
3 Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.
4 Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.
5 Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it?
6 Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof;
Jin 41:11
11 Who hath prevented me, that I should repay him? whatsoever is under the whole heaven is mine!!!
Global warming now called climate change is a man made problem(?) clearly no man consulted God about it.
Psalm 2:4
4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.
1 Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,
2 Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?
3 Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.
4 Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.
5 Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it?
6 Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof;
Jin 41:11
11 Who hath prevented me, that I should repay him? whatsoever is under the whole heaven is mine!!!
Global warming now called climate change is a man made problem(?) clearly no man consulted God about it.
Psalm 2:4
4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.
2
God gave us a brain and we are supposed to use it! As the rector of my church said "God calls on us to be faithful - not stupid!". You are relying on a book that was written by MEN over a period of DECADES, and edited by a committee of men, with a variety of political agendas, at the Council of Nicaea in in the year 325 AD. The Bible is a beautiful book and it has many things to teach us about ourselves and about how we should interact with one another (and it has some history), but it was never meant to be a science book!
Technically, we should becoming OUT of an interglacial warming period about now, but instead we are getting hotter and hotter. I read this a.m. that the sunbelt and the south have had the hottest spring ever; glaciers are melting, the polar ice is receding; animals are dying off as their food sources disappear. Wake up!
God is laughing in derision, all right, wondering why we don't sit up and take notice of what is happening all around us.
Technically, we should becoming OUT of an interglacial warming period about now, but instead we are getting hotter and hotter. I read this a.m. that the sunbelt and the south have had the hottest spring ever; glaciers are melting, the polar ice is receding; animals are dying off as their food sources disappear. Wake up!
God is laughing in derision, all right, wondering why we don't sit up and take notice of what is happening all around us.
1
This graphic accompanying this article is priceless. What a way to say, "Our president is an aged fat-boy bully who is pouting outside the smart pack because he's, well, an incurious bully who wants recognition from the rest of the world that he receives from his ill informed, uninformed and ignorant knot of supporters. This is priceless.
9
If the state's governors have the good judgment and foresight to see the callousness in the Republican Health Care plan, perhaps they can send Trump another message about his other acts of utter stupidity.
The destruction of the Obama legacy is lacking in even an iota of common sense so Trump staunchly move forward anyway to the detriment of not only the United States but our entire world.
What a leader!
The destruction of the Obama legacy is lacking in even an iota of common sense so Trump staunchly move forward anyway to the detriment of not only the United States but our entire world.
What a leader!
5
After trump's "uneasy, lonely and awkward" performance at G-19, Merkel and Macron came up with a plan. Invite him over to beautiful Paris; wine and dine, kiss his ring and tell him how powerful he is. Convince him that a strong leader would back the agreement. It may work.
2
Like most thoughts and comments this president has uttered, I have no faith he has done the least bit of homework regarding the subject of climate change. He is not capable.
He comes up short in the brain power category to understand the science behind climate change, and he lacks the emotional intelligence to give a rip.
This man's sole view of the entire planet contains little or no human element. It's all about keeping those numbers of his balance sheet in the black.
Mother earth is unforgiving Mr. Trump. We heard her voice loud and clear as we witness this giant piece of an iceberg floating away with more to follow.
Your are overruled by a majority Mr. Trump. The quest for alternative energy will move forward without you and your foot soldiers.
He comes up short in the brain power category to understand the science behind climate change, and he lacks the emotional intelligence to give a rip.
This man's sole view of the entire planet contains little or no human element. It's all about keeping those numbers of his balance sheet in the black.
Mother earth is unforgiving Mr. Trump. We heard her voice loud and clear as we witness this giant piece of an iceberg floating away with more to follow.
Your are overruled by a majority Mr. Trump. The quest for alternative energy will move forward without you and your foot soldiers.
9
dT doesn't keep the balance black- stiffs contractors, borrows millions from shady sources- where are his tax returns?
1
It seems amazingly short sighted to depend on our "so called President" for any reasonable decisions on things that matter. We must work with our scientists and private enterprise to protect our interests. Can anyone remember when we needed to work around our President? Where are you Republicans? You are desperately needed to help rid us of this "man-child" ?
5
If Obama knew Trump would be president, he could have used reverse psychology on him, and passed anti-environmental regulations for the last year!
Trump governs like a child. Half his reason for living seems to be to stop any and all Obama policies, just for spite.
Trump governs like a child. Half his reason for living seems to be to stop any and all Obama policies, just for spite.
6
Seems like most repubs share the anti-O obsession regardless of the effect their actions may have on the welfare of people and the planet.
3
The two people this fool and his GOP enablers have attacked with lies and slander, over and over, for years, are America's first African-American president and a former woman Secretary of State who took the popular vote in the this last federal election by a good margin but not the outdated Electoral College vote. Two remarkable, capable and decent people. Surely most Americans can read this writing on the wall and understand the clear and dangerous threat it signals.
2
@Richard Another uninformed comment. The reason this isn't called treaty is because a treaty has to be approved by the Senate with a 2/3 vote. Obama didn't have near the votes to get a treaty approved so he used this slimy method by calling it an "Accord" and didn't ask for approval from Congress. Typical unconstitutional Obama stunt!
Not a Trump fan here at all... But neither Trump nor any U.S. president is answerable to the leaders or people of other countries. Trump cares about his base and his base is in total denial about global warming. And Wall Street loves just about any anti-environment initiative (coded as debunking fake science or tree-huggers, removing excessive regulation, etc. of course). And I'm sure Trump never feels lonely. He is Donald Trump, after all, and he always has his own marvelous self to keep him company.
1
If America purports to be "the leader" of the free world then yes, it IS "answerable to the leaders or people of other countries". I am dubious as to his base's understanding of global warming. They have this image of him "making America great", no details necessary. The real global warming criminals are all those industries gleefully allowed free rein to destroy the environment after the cancellation of the Obama restrictions. For them it's "party time". Only WE THE PUBLIC will pay!
1
Trump's denial of the human causes of global warming of the Earth's surface are a clear sign of ignorance. One could indeed expect it from someone who utterly ignores the dress code: Trump's unbuttoned coat and tie descending below the belt are insults to the dignity of the office, to which he happens to occupy.
1
Unfortunately, even with Trump tower under water from rising sea levels, Trump would continue with this claim that global warming is a myth.
1
More philosophic weakness from the NYT, an entity that has been lethally wrong for decades, along with its nice, polite, supposedly educated readers who have been feigning rationality for decades.
How I loathe thee, thy littleness of mind, thy barricaded cognitive function, thy terminally myopic, wholly suicidal orientation that humans could possibly do natural selection with monetary code.
Can you hook up those dots?
I suspect not.
Yes, I know that my rage is also foolish, more indulgence.
Our life-killing manner of relationship interface, our species omnicidal FAIL is an emergent consequence of the dominant phenomenon of era: Exponentially Accelerating Complexity.
We can't handle, can't process the tsunami of relationship information embedded in the ever-new, ever-alien, ever-unprecedented complex environs we've created, and continue to generate.
Survival is primarily a function of processing complex network relationship information with sufficient reach, speed, accuracy & power.
Reality distilled: information; the noun: information structured as rock, tree, religion, nation etc., the verb: the processing of relationship information.
CODE: info processing app; relationship infrastructure: genetic language math moral religious legal monetary software etc.
Our species isn’t adequately coded – biologically, culturally or technologically – to pass natural selection tests in environs undergoing exponentially accelerating complexity for X number of years.
Year X approaches.
How I loathe thee, thy littleness of mind, thy barricaded cognitive function, thy terminally myopic, wholly suicidal orientation that humans could possibly do natural selection with monetary code.
Can you hook up those dots?
I suspect not.
Yes, I know that my rage is also foolish, more indulgence.
Our life-killing manner of relationship interface, our species omnicidal FAIL is an emergent consequence of the dominant phenomenon of era: Exponentially Accelerating Complexity.
We can't handle, can't process the tsunami of relationship information embedded in the ever-new, ever-alien, ever-unprecedented complex environs we've created, and continue to generate.
Survival is primarily a function of processing complex network relationship information with sufficient reach, speed, accuracy & power.
Reality distilled: information; the noun: information structured as rock, tree, religion, nation etc., the verb: the processing of relationship information.
CODE: info processing app; relationship infrastructure: genetic language math moral religious legal monetary software etc.
Our species isn’t adequately coded – biologically, culturally or technologically – to pass natural selection tests in environs undergoing exponentially accelerating complexity for X number of years.
Year X approaches.
2
You add to my confidence that Enrico Fermi was correct about the fragility and brevity of technological civilization.
1
I suspect Trump actually knows in his gut that human-made climate change is real. But as long as addressing the problem would (1) be costly for American businesses (including his); (2) be opposed by Republican campaign funders like the Kochs and Sheldon Adelson; and (3) make his know-nothing base angry, Trump will chug along happily in his self-imposed isolation. Meanwhile, China will inexorably fill the big vacuum.
15
Remember the Hokey Stick Graph? The one that Nobel-prize-winning scientists have demonstrated to be the worst science ever done, outdoing the cold-fusion experiment that no one could replicate?
That's the graph that the UN IPCC believes in. Because that's the graph that keeps money flowing into the IPCC. That's the graph that world-famous environmentalists like Paul Ehrlich and James Hansen believe in, even though Ehrlich and Hansen only ever make predictions that don't come true.
If Europe wants to make its energy costs higher, let them. America and China and all the third world countries can enjoy the fruits of spending less money on energy, while the poor and the downtrodden in Europe become ever more poor and downtrodden, while the middle class in Europe deliver ever more of their members into the poor and downtrodden, and while Russia pressures Europe by controlling its supply of natural gas.
You have two choices: Live life freely as a human, or live life as an animal subject to the whims of other animals. Europe has chosen the latter. Trump has chosen the former.
That's the graph that the UN IPCC believes in. Because that's the graph that keeps money flowing into the IPCC. That's the graph that world-famous environmentalists like Paul Ehrlich and James Hansen believe in, even though Ehrlich and Hansen only ever make predictions that don't come true.
If Europe wants to make its energy costs higher, let them. America and China and all the third world countries can enjoy the fruits of spending less money on energy, while the poor and the downtrodden in Europe become ever more poor and downtrodden, while the middle class in Europe deliver ever more of their members into the poor and downtrodden, and while Russia pressures Europe by controlling its supply of natural gas.
You have two choices: Live life freely as a human, or live life as an animal subject to the whims of other animals. Europe has chosen the latter. Trump has chosen the former.
5
We now live our lives subject to the whims of Trump, so I fail to see the difference.
Back in the 60's, I wrote a song called "Forgive us Son". In the song, it depicted a Father walking and talking to his son about what the world used to look like. There wasn't a possibility, at least in my minds eye, that this would become a self fulfilling proficiency. Why? Because in the 60's, it was like all of us awoke from a nightmare of Nixon and Right Wing Propaganda and a new light of hope, trust, and working together to save the world. Look at the songs we came up with. It was real, at least to us. I had left The New Christy Minstrels in May of 1966 and entered a whole new reality while living in NYC. We not only talked and sang about a new world of peace and love, but actually lived it.
Throughout most of my lifetime, I looked to my country as the leader of the free world, except maybe during the Nixon years. Now I see a nation in decline. While at present we may still be considered the leader of the free world, under Trumps leadership, it's melting faster then Antarctica which brings me to climate change. When a political representative makes a statement and it turns out they were wrong, they can say "Opps". When the President of the United States does it, it could and in fact will have disastrous consequences. So– what can we do about it? Don't give up the fight. Speak out at every opportunity regardless if you're a Democrat or Republican or Independent. This is our country and the future of our planet we're talking about. Together we can change the future!
Throughout most of my lifetime, I looked to my country as the leader of the free world, except maybe during the Nixon years. Now I see a nation in decline. While at present we may still be considered the leader of the free world, under Trumps leadership, it's melting faster then Antarctica which brings me to climate change. When a political representative makes a statement and it turns out they were wrong, they can say "Opps". When the President of the United States does it, it could and in fact will have disastrous consequences. So– what can we do about it? Don't give up the fight. Speak out at every opportunity regardless if you're a Democrat or Republican or Independent. This is our country and the future of our planet we're talking about. Together we can change the future!
8
Thank you for this ... there are millions upon millions of people who know the truth and care about the fate of our beautiful earth. We will never give up!
2
NYT has chosen to be ignorant and combative just to denigrate Trump.
Here are some facts:
It is unclear that man-made issues are the major source of climate change.
It is unclear that the amount of climate change is worth the massive effort and cost to curb global temperature rise.
It is crystal clear that the current efforts to curb climate change have no chance to have any but the most microscopic impact.
Instead of stretching for a weapon to bash Trump, NYT would do better to provide a scientific forum to elucidate the real and practical issues intrinsic to climate change.
Here are some facts:
It is unclear that man-made issues are the major source of climate change.
It is unclear that the amount of climate change is worth the massive effort and cost to curb global temperature rise.
It is crystal clear that the current efforts to curb climate change have no chance to have any but the most microscopic impact.
Instead of stretching for a weapon to bash Trump, NYT would do better to provide a scientific forum to elucidate the real and practical issues intrinsic to climate change.
5
Read Science Magazine. Oh excuse me, you cannot understand a word in it.
If 97 out of 100 doctors felt the data indicated that you were about to have a heart attack, would you postpone altering your lifestyle because the results were unclear? Right about the time the chest pains started, you would regret not having made a change to improve the odds of survival by 10%, and the effort and cost to have done so would no longer seem like such a big deal.
2
@Steve Bolger - can we ever have a disagreement or divergence of opinion that doesn't involve an insult or ad hominem attack? Truthfully this kind of response weakens your argument. Let's debate as adults and being data, not insults, to the fight.
2
Climate change and climate denial on the part of our 45th President and his Republican acolytes and thugs will last as long as his administration does. Hopefully for us and for the world, a brief time. Didn't Trump notice the calving of a Delaware-sized iceberg off Antartica last week? Nature and climate warming are knocking at America's door. We and China and India are the world's greatest and most terrible polluters of our planet. President Trump wants to promote, not delay or obliterate entirely, fossil fuels. America, under President Trump, is on route to the La Brea tar pits Redux. Wonderful illustration by Sam's Myth of Trump, "the Climate Change Loner" out in the cold at the G20 Summit.
3
Remember when in 2000 The Consensus was that all the use in the Arctic would melt unless we took Drastic Actions? We didn't and it didn't. Science requires falsifiable predictions. This scam doesn't have any. It's not science.
2
Perhaps you haven't read anything on the topic since 2000. Arctic ice melt is quite real, Morgan. Here's a reference to a pretty readable National Geographic article on the topic: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/09/070917-northwest-passage...
7
What are you, twelve years old?
No, kids are smarter than you at twelve.
No, kids are smarter than you at twelve.
4
It is melting faster than predicted. The hockey stick curve is for real.
2
An added thought. My main comment is now "in print" so I then reviewed a large number of comments and note the following.
The majority complain about Trump or about anti-science but very, very few point to at least one renewable energy action they have taken or that they know of. The problem begins at home.
Only-NeverInSweden.blogspot.com
Dual citizen US SE
The majority complain about Trump or about anti-science but very, very few point to at least one renewable energy action they have taken or that they know of. The problem begins at home.
Only-NeverInSweden.blogspot.com
Dual citizen US SE
2
Where I live in the suburbs of DC, it is possible to get one's home energy sourced 100% from wind power. It's easy and it doesn't cost any more than regular power. I did it several years ago and have been completely satisfied. I am very happy to know that I've reduced my own carbon footprint. You are so right, Larry, if we all made the right personal choices at home and at work, we could do this without Trump. What about us?
5
We have done the same in Santa Fe, NM with Arcadia 100% wind power as our local utility PNM is stubbornly slow to change.
2
@ Bella in Santa Fe and Cornflower Rhys Washington DC - Now we are getting somewhere or stated better, if more comment writers and repliers would state what they have been able to do or get their community to start doing, so much better than reading about Trump.
If you are willing, my Gmail is at my blog
Only-NeverInSweden.blogspot.com
and I would appreciate it if you would write and give specific information. I do not reveal to others any Email contacts.
The odd thing about living in a city in Sweden is that each city already provides the best system I have ever experienced - in my 60 or so years in the US and here before I went over to "fjärrvärme". Fjärrvärme is a renewable system that is moving Sweden far past the US and is available to anyone within reach of the network. Outside that, for example on the island where I spend my time every 2d or third weekend, heat pump systems are routine and I have been highly impressed with the air-air heat pump that heats half of the home where I spend those extended weekends.
Thanks for your replies.
Larry L.
blog in original comment
If you are willing, my Gmail is at my blog
Only-NeverInSweden.blogspot.com
and I would appreciate it if you would write and give specific information. I do not reveal to others any Email contacts.
The odd thing about living in a city in Sweden is that each city already provides the best system I have ever experienced - in my 60 or so years in the US and here before I went over to "fjärrvärme". Fjärrvärme is a renewable system that is moving Sweden far past the US and is available to anyone within reach of the network. Outside that, for example on the island where I spend my time every 2d or third weekend, heat pump systems are routine and I have been highly impressed with the air-air heat pump that heats half of the home where I spend those extended weekends.
Thanks for your replies.
Larry L.
blog in original comment
I often wonder if choices like pulling out from the Paris Accord, rolling back the EPA, etc., has more to do with demoralizing Americans sufficiently to effect inaction and submission from the populace?
8
America will pay dearly for this fake macho-ness
4
Efforts to appeal to Trump's reason and to his ethics are equally futile, simply because he is both an ignoramous and a sociopath.
19
a great picture - those who care about each other together in a circle - those who care only about themselves - standing alone
I've seen this in childcare - the tiny kid who snatches rudely and is 'gimme!' and 'it's mine!' - pretty soon is walking around alone wondering why nobody wants to play with them.
Most quickly learn about quid pro quo - if you want something, it's good to start by giving something.
DJT seems to have got to 71 and not learned this - that looks like a sociopath to me - learned or earned I'm not sure - but this picture sums it up.
When the Australian journalist commented that Donald Trump was “isolated and friendless” at the G20 - a man with "no desire and no capacity to lead the world" who had “pressed fast-forward on the decline of the United States” it went viral for a moment - before we went back to 'yeah - what are you gonna do ...?' -
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jul/09/biggest-threat-to-the-we...
I've seen this in childcare - the tiny kid who snatches rudely and is 'gimme!' and 'it's mine!' - pretty soon is walking around alone wondering why nobody wants to play with them.
Most quickly learn about quid pro quo - if you want something, it's good to start by giving something.
DJT seems to have got to 71 and not learned this - that looks like a sociopath to me - learned or earned I'm not sure - but this picture sums it up.
When the Australian journalist commented that Donald Trump was “isolated and friendless” at the G20 - a man with "no desire and no capacity to lead the world" who had “pressed fast-forward on the decline of the United States” it went viral for a moment - before we went back to 'yeah - what are you gonna do ...?' -
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jul/09/biggest-threat-to-the-we...
3
in eternity
its echoes flee
the memory
of humanity
its echoes flee
the memory
of humanity
3
President Trump did the right thing again!
The board is ignoring the reality of the deal Obama made.
First it was voluntary. The only lever is so called peer pressure. Let's review how that works.
Remember when France refused to go along with sanctions against Libya because of the oil deal they had? France has little oil and the price was approaching $100 a barrel. What would you have done? By the way, who just cut a oil deal with Iran? Remember it takes a majority of 6 countries to authorize an investigation of an Iran violation which includes Russia, China and France and a majority of 7 to withdraw, the seventh being Iran!
Remember when our ally, Turkey, refused to allow a US plane fly over in our bombing of Iraq?
Second, the agreement took money out of the US and gave it to other countries. No wonder the other countries signed up!
Examples abound where even our allies don't honor their commitments. Look at European country refusals to honor their dues to NATO or the UN. Look at who is defending Europe 70 years after WWII.
Peer pressure does not work. The countries who signed the global warming agreement will always do what is in their personal best interest and leave the US with the largest share holding the bag.
Other countries may sign something but it will be meaningless. Just look at the Euro breakdown.
The board is ignoring the reality of the deal Obama made.
First it was voluntary. The only lever is so called peer pressure. Let's review how that works.
Remember when France refused to go along with sanctions against Libya because of the oil deal they had? France has little oil and the price was approaching $100 a barrel. What would you have done? By the way, who just cut a oil deal with Iran? Remember it takes a majority of 6 countries to authorize an investigation of an Iran violation which includes Russia, China and France and a majority of 7 to withdraw, the seventh being Iran!
Remember when our ally, Turkey, refused to allow a US plane fly over in our bombing of Iraq?
Second, the agreement took money out of the US and gave it to other countries. No wonder the other countries signed up!
Examples abound where even our allies don't honor their commitments. Look at European country refusals to honor their dues to NATO or the UN. Look at who is defending Europe 70 years after WWII.
Peer pressure does not work. The countries who signed the global warming agreement will always do what is in their personal best interest and leave the US with the largest share holding the bag.
Other countries may sign something but it will be meaningless. Just look at the Euro breakdown.
4
The only country that's ever invoked article 5 is us. And our NATO allies responded. We set up NATO to try to prevent WWIII. It was, and still is, for our benefit. It isn't for our benefit to have Europe return to the days that led to two world wars. Peer pressure has worked for 70 years. It's about time to do away with this notion of Uncle Sam as a big jovial softy who gives away the store. We've never signed a deal or treaty in the life of this country that wasn't designed to benefit us most. And our word apparently isn't worth much. Just ask Native Americans.
2
Donny Boy won't wake up to the perils of global climate change until his precious Trump properties are underwater and worthless.
8
The man is 71 years old. He will be long gone by then. He couldn't care less.
2
Mr. Trump The Loner, Period. Living inside that insanity is surely lonely place.
3
"There is no room for the hopeless sinner, who hurts all mankind just to save his own."
-Bob Marley
-Bob Marley
9
Curtis Mayfield, not Bob Marley.
2
Trump has zero respect for science, learning, the search for truth, or the environment. He and his ignorant sycophants are a much bigger threat to this country than terrorists from abroad.
5
The "climate change" scam is a globalist Marxist movement. It's all about wealth redistribution. Yes, the climate changes...every day for the past 6 billion years or so.
Countries involved in this scam need our big bucks. That's why they want us all in.
Thank goodness Trump is out president. The scam is exposed for what it is. And he is not playing.
Countries involved in this scam need our big bucks. That's why they want us all in.
Thank goodness Trump is out president. The scam is exposed for what it is. And he is not playing.
4
Even Trump's beloved Alex Jones would struggle to believe a conspiracy that encompasses 96% of climate scientists.
Yes. The climate has changed every day for the past 6 billion years. I have moved every day for the last 66 years. That does not mean that if I move toward a wall tomorrow at 200 miles an hour, it is not problematic.
Yes. The climate has changed every day for the past 6 billion years. I have moved every day for the last 66 years. That does not mean that if I move toward a wall tomorrow at 200 miles an hour, it is not problematic.
"Goodness has nothing to do with it.".
1
It'll be refreshing to have a real president again, and the sooner the better. No more traitors and/or imbeciles, please--that experiment has failed. #ITMFA.
Since no one can predict reliably the weather day after tomorrow, how can anyone, scientist of not, predict weather 20, 50, 100 years out ?
Bottom line, they cannot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bottom line, they cannot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2
You are confusing "weather" with "climate".
All the exclamation points in the world will still not make you right.
All the exclamation points in the world will still not make you right.
5
The weather and climate ate two different things, which is why we have two different words for them.
4
This kind of thinking is simplistic and superficial. It's not an informed response to the issue. Read more, study harder.
1
Trump and his republican minions are truly leading America down a polluted rabbit hole of ignorance and isolation. He and his followers are small minded with only room for worship of money and power. This editorial and the article in today's' Times pointing out the Right's love of all things Putin are enough to make a person begin to fully understand that we are in a battle for democracy and American exceptionalism. Our future is dark and foreboding if reasonable intelligent people can't somehow put a stop to this lunacy.
4
Unfortunately, Trumps language is precisely that " health care thing and that Climate change thing, With that being his con man, fraud attitude , any body to make talk to him in some reasonable way, is just a waste and exercise in futility . The buffoon and the lout is incapable of comprehending my else,
3
How stupid does this make us look? We deny science, economics and the future in one petulant, childlike stroke. We will hold our breath until the rest of the world turns blue. Like Tinkerbell, only the things we believe in, are real. Climate change will not happen if we all stick together in denying it. Unfortunately the rest of the civilized world has decided to reap the rewards, the patents and the technological advances instead of standing with the most ignorant man ever to hold high office in, a once, highly regarded society. It is true that we, the American people, deserve the government we voted for. The rest of mankind does not deserve that fate. Move on humanity, we'll catch up later.
16
Actually, we don't need Trump's permission to move ahead. California and several other states and cities are making their own agreements to comply with the Paris Accords. Forward-thinking people and industries will move us where we need to go. Ignore Trump and his ignorant followers. They're irrelevant. Renewable energy is now cheaper to produce than energy from fossil fuels. We are gaining critical mass to effect a radical transformation of our energy systems. It's already happening. Don't be distracted by the troll-in-chief. Organize and participate in local governance. Look to states and cities that are leading the way. Vote for renewable energy with your wallet. Your utility probably offers the option to use wind power. Opt in. Demonstrate your commitment where it counts. Utilities want to make money. If you and millions of others show you're willing to pay a little more now for renewables, they'll respond with more renewable sources, which continues to drive down the cost. This can be done if we focus our attention on what works. Reacting to silly trolls on the NYT comments section isn't productive. Instead, use this as a forum to educate and inspire others who want to help. What better place to do it? Lots of smart people come here to discuss issues of great importance. Why waste time arguing with bullies and trolls?
118
I give credit to M. Macron for trying. It is sadly unfortunate, that 30% of this country voted for a man who basically kills everything he touches.
We can only hope that tens of millions more Americans turn out to vote in November 2018 and elect a Democratic Congress to put a stop to the ignorance, stupidity, destruction, and outright breaking of the law that emanates not just from the Oval Office, but from our present Republican Congress.
We can only hope that tens of millions more Americans turn out to vote in November 2018 and elect a Democratic Congress to put a stop to the ignorance, stupidity, destruction, and outright breaking of the law that emanates not just from the Oval Office, but from our present Republican Congress.
7
Trump weeps for an incurable baby, but blithely kills innocent children with his unauthorized missile strikes. At least four children died in Trump's Tomahawk missile attack. Trump has yet to acknowledge them, but their families know America killed their kids.
1
Maybe that Delaware-sized ice cube will wash up on his Florida beach. Reckon that might get his attention? No, I guess not: he and his flock would just say it's all Obama's fault and move one.
6
Sam Myth, love your illustration.
1
As a scientist I was trained to be a skeptic, even of my own ideas. I just cannot understand those who absolutely definitely "know" for sure without any kind of data, theory or experiment. The brain washed daesh and talibans fanatics are very much like that. They know that they will get their reward in the sky by dying assassinating others, no doubt in their mind. So, our brain washed fanatics of the "Christianic republic" definitely absolutely know that climate change is a hoax, that the theory of evolution is bunk, that women just have to fear God and that anything scientific is suspect. All that in the preeminent scientific country on earth )or is it still>). I could not care less what they believe in provided they don't burn me at the stake if I beg to differ. I don't care what they claim provided that it does not fly in the fact of logic and overwhelming evidence. I don't care what they do with their life provided that don't claim to be ruling mine. But I sure care about this fragile pale blue dot I've seen from space because you would have to go a very long way to find another one.
254
It's all about Trump's ego. World leaders must flatter him, or else. No Russian election sabotage, Trump won all by himself, even with all the "voter fraud" working against him -- he's that skilled. Obama dissed him at the White House Correspondents' Dinner in 2011, so now Trump has to undo everything Obama did. Is this about catering to money and power, such as the Koch brothers? No, it's always all about Trump, what Trump does all on his own. Trump does get climate change. He also must realize that many of his "fabulous" properties will soon be under water. Climate change denial acts against his own personal interests! But he cannot contain his vengeance and spite towards Obama. The bottom line is that we have elected a truly diseased mind to now occupy the Oval Office. And we are in a perilous situation -- on the edge -- and it's not just on climate change.
2
This scam isn't science. Alarmists have made no falsifiable predictions that proved true. They predicted the Arctic would melt by 2015. It hasn't. They predicted that hurricanes in the Atlantic which reach the US would increase in both intensity and frequency. They haven't. In fact, zero Cat 4s have hit since Katrina. It's not that Alarmists are just a little wrong. Their predictions have proven false.
1
Maybe those fanatics know for sure because they have read St. John's gospel, chapter 20, verses 24 - 29. The disciple Thomas declines to believe that Jesus has risen from the dead until he meets his risen Lord and is shown the wounds He has received on the cross. Jesus admonishes Thomas for requiring evidence and remarks that those who believe without evidence are blessed.
It seems to me that Thomas had a scientific disposition.
It seems to me that Thomas had a scientific disposition.
2
It amazing just how far a few thousand coal-miners, a hand-full of American oil barons and the visceral racism that underpins the desire to undo everything Obama will take this President.
The answer is all the way to complete isolation, including the abdication of our leadership position in the world and the weakening the United States' image in every corner of the globe.
This comes as a scientific report posits that within twenty some years Sandy like flooding will become a regular occurrence in high tides alone the Jersey shore, 115+ temperatures are now a regularly summer occurrence in Arizona, and Louisiana's coast line is shrinking before our eyes.
The answer is all the way to complete isolation, including the abdication of our leadership position in the world and the weakening the United States' image in every corner of the globe.
This comes as a scientific report posits that within twenty some years Sandy like flooding will become a regular occurrence in high tides alone the Jersey shore, 115+ temperatures are now a regularly summer occurrence in Arizona, and Louisiana's coast line is shrinking before our eyes.
4
Trump has been fairly positive about nuclear power. If he follows through on that, he will have done a great deal to avert climate change.
Nuclear power could play a much larger role in our energy supply, reducing our carbon output without being terribly expensive. We should be developing it enthusiastically.
Nuclear power could play a much larger role in our energy supply, reducing our carbon output without being terribly expensive. We should be developing it enthusiastically.
1
Yes, enthusiastically, glowingly, glow-in-the-darkly, radioactively!
History clearly shows us whats ahead for us...our eventual decline as the dominant world power. Even with our 16 trillion dollar economy, and mighty military the U.S. is driving in the wrong direction. It's not pessimism but a look in the rearview mirror. Signs on the road said don't enter- wrong way. Scientists are slighted and denigrated as having a political agenda. Pursuit of profit from fossil fuels and rejection of measures to keep our planet healthy. A demography of enormous numbers of elderly people dependent on the government for their health care and income. A low birthrate, and decreasing numbers of immigrants to replace an aging population. An educational system that rates far below other developed nations that is not preparing most graduates for a rapidly evolving economy. A huge social safety net providing subsidized housing, health care, energy, transportation, paid for not with taxes but massive borrowing. An enormous military budget in percentage terms focused on fighting conventional wars and intervening around the world with disastrous results. And to top it off a leadership vacuum in the White House, and Congress.
2
I've never been much of a fan for "states rights", probably because of its strong supporting relationship to Jim Crow. But now I'm a big fan for the use of states rights to to take action on climate change. The collaboration of states, under the leadership of Jerry Brown and California, to fulfill our would-be obligations per the Paris Accord, is probably the best chance to circumvent Trump and the GOP's destructive instincts.
I'm sure that Trump and his collaborators will try to stop state initiatives, but the holiness of "states rights" to the right wing may get in the way.
I'm sure that Trump and his collaborators will try to stop state initiatives, but the holiness of "states rights" to the right wing may get in the way.
6
Right on!! Trump/Congress can change Federal MPG standards, but then Republicans have to battle against states which have tougher standards. Of course, hypocrisy is not something conservatives have in short supply, but that will take years and hopefully a more inductive government is in place long before then.
2
Climate change is more religion than science - its adherents are impervious to any discussion of facts and its high priests are praised no matter how many doomsday scenarios fall short (for folks out there who may not remember, Al Gore and others have said we have already passed the point of no-return). It also reinforces an economic elitism, making everything from travel to heating more expensive, putting a heavy burden on the lower classes. The rich shall travel in private jets and eat delicacies but gosh forbid the blue collar worker fires up his charcoal grill to have a hamburger. As a famous french woman once said, let them eat cake.
5
no, climate change actually IS science.
4
Ah, the "elites" bogeyman again. I'm sick of this fatuous argument. The truth is that environmental protection has historically helped the economy and favored everyone. If we continue on the Trump path of denial and rollback of government incentives to seek higher efficiency we are going to be left behind, to the detriment of rich and poor alike.
2
You have facts? Let's discuss them. I haven't heard any credible, testable facts on your side, because your side is preaching the blind faith in non-facts.
2
You can write this down - Trump will make a "deal" on Climate Change. It does not matter what that deal is, to him - but he will make a deal. He bragged during the campaign that he, the best negotiator in the world, will be able to extract a better deal. All he wants is to claim a "win" and announce that he has fulfilled another campaign promise. He does not know or care what is in the new deal, he just wants to declare victory and move on. The obsession with winning and being seen as a winner is all he cares about.
8
Trump will not change. The choice of Pruitt and Tillerson, the drive to strip away regulations providing for clean air and water - there's enough evidence that Trump is deeply anti-science, pro-fossil fuel, pro-carbon. He boasts and taunts that his energy policies make America strong (and hence Putin could not have wanted him in the presidency) in contrast with Hillary Clinton's love of windmills. Trump wraps himself in the mantle of a champion of coal miners, the prototypical lower-income white voter. He will not bring back coal jobs, anymore than his administration will provide all Americans with cheaper and more extensive healthcare, which he also promised in his campaign. But he will keep lying in the face of all evidence. Trump is incapable of change through conviction because he cares for no substance, no principle: He appears to be more open from time to time for tactical reasons, or to patch up relations in appearance. That's why he heard Al Gore out during the transition, when the NYT op-ed writer Tom Friedman was impressed. That's why Trump now reassures Europe and the world, or so he imagines in his infantile mind, by saying the Paris agreement will do quite well without the USA. And that's a taunt at the same time which reassures his base, so he has the best of both worlds.
6
There may be no other individual who has blown more vanity CO2 into the air than the twit in chief.
1
I don't see why Trump is so against something that would improve the economy and bring him praise from the whole workd. I mean, isn't that what he's all about? Profit and praise?
1
Trump is only about making the entire US as as repulsive arrogant and obnoxious as he is.
1
We are all responsible for climate change.
Reduce consumption. Forego competitive materialism.
Cut down on our garbage and recycle everything we can.
Buy fewer things packaged in styrofoam and plastics.
Boycott products from companies that aren't green or implementing greener policies.
Choose plants that need less water.
Purchase 4-cylinder, hybrid or electric cars. Where possible, walk or choose public transportation.
Vote for legislators who are behind environmental regulations.
Vote. Vote. Vote. Local, state and federal level.
Reduce consumption. Forego competitive materialism.
Cut down on our garbage and recycle everything we can.
Buy fewer things packaged in styrofoam and plastics.
Boycott products from companies that aren't green or implementing greener policies.
Choose plants that need less water.
Purchase 4-cylinder, hybrid or electric cars. Where possible, walk or choose public transportation.
Vote for legislators who are behind environmental regulations.
Vote. Vote. Vote. Local, state and federal level.
16
@ Patricia - Most Swedish cities are completely heated by incinerating solid waste - after recycling has been done - in high-tech incinerators. In my city, food waste (garbage in your words) goes in separate green bags with the solid waste to the Gärstad system 5 km north of my home, and these are optically separated on the conveyor belt so food waste becomes bio gas.
European countries do this and my city has been doing it for sixty years, starting long ago with fossil-fuel to get started and then using less and less over time.
Similarly, Volvo is going over to hybrids in two years and my Swedish paper is filled today with news about all-electric, new charging stations, and hybrids.
All this is possible but US failure did not start with Trump but rather has been present for a long time. My main comment, a few down from yours gives a major alternative.
Only-NeverInSweden.blogspot.com
European countries do this and my city has been doing it for sixty years, starting long ago with fossil-fuel to get started and then using less and less over time.
Similarly, Volvo is going over to hybrids in two years and my Swedish paper is filled today with news about all-electric, new charging stations, and hybrids.
All this is possible but US failure did not start with Trump but rather has been present for a long time. My main comment, a few down from yours gives a major alternative.
Only-NeverInSweden.blogspot.com
5
It will all be swamped by population growth.
Maybe the republicans should be more supportive of Planned Parenthood and birthcontrol.
1
Get us Jerry Brown.
5
Some of you will read the following and say it's alarmist. Who cares? If only ten percent of it comes true it will be an unprecedented disaster for ourselves and our kids, and we simply have no business playing dice like this with our children's futures.
http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/07/climate-change-earth-too-ho...
http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/07/climate-change-earth-too-ho...
7
Mr. Trump, the used car salesman.
8
"Climate" is a scientific term.
For rational people "science" isn't a pick and choose kind of thing. You either believe in it or you don't.
I'd like to know how climate change deniers think we got to the moon? Do they think we just threw a ship at it?
If only closed minds came with closed mouths.
For rational people "science" isn't a pick and choose kind of thing. You either believe in it or you don't.
I'd like to know how climate change deniers think we got to the moon? Do they think we just threw a ship at it?
If only closed minds came with closed mouths.
6
They believe the moon landings were faked.
1
Mr Trump is by no means alone, he is in the company of the many millions of Americans who voted for him to MAGA make America pro-Obama
As I've noted elsewhere, there are famously headlines when the English Channel was not navigable b/c of fog
"fog closes Channel. continent Isolated'
As I've noted elsewhere, there are famously headlines when the English Channel was not navigable b/c of fog
"fog closes Channel. continent Isolated'
4
Remember that Trump lost the popular vote to Hillary Clinton by nearly four million votes. HRC got more votes than any previous presidential candidate in history. Trump's Kremlin buddies did enormous damage to the US in that election, while the GOP looked the other way. Trump was a fraud then, and he's still a fraud today.
1
Winning the popular vote, is like winning yardage in football, she ran the wrong campaign, and knew she was doing so, her advisors told here
=
The 4m margin was in four counties in CA where, we in the fortress doubt the validity of voter registration in sanctuary USA
=
The Russian influence is zero, no votes were changed, and there was zero impact zero zero zero
Ms Clinton ran as Obama's third term and was defeated; blame Obama for his hate Amerikkka legacy, we declined when given a choice, to be fundamentally transformed
=
HOW did the Red Menace change the votes in four Blue Wall Rust belt states
=
the Left lives in bubble-head bubble-stan and deserved a gob-smack defeat, and has learned the wrong lessons, no self-criticism only blaming others, re-education camp for YOU, a long stay in the wilderness eight years at least
=
next time run a rational candidate who does not insult her potential voters
=
The 4m margin was in four counties in CA where, we in the fortress doubt the validity of voter registration in sanctuary USA
=
The Russian influence is zero, no votes were changed, and there was zero impact zero zero zero
Ms Clinton ran as Obama's third term and was defeated; blame Obama for his hate Amerikkka legacy, we declined when given a choice, to be fundamentally transformed
=
HOW did the Red Menace change the votes in four Blue Wall Rust belt states
=
the Left lives in bubble-head bubble-stan and deserved a gob-smack defeat, and has learned the wrong lessons, no self-criticism only blaming others, re-education camp for YOU, a long stay in the wilderness eight years at least
=
next time run a rational candidate who does not insult her potential voters
The US Armed Forces and the CIA are very concerned about global warming (mass exodus, drowned port facilities, etc.). Perhaps they can get Trump into a hammerlock and explain things to him in a way that the NY Times and Washington Post cannot.
4
Trump is their commander in chief. He will ignore them.
1
He ignores anything he doesn't understand, and that's a very long list.
1
Let's put the climate accord as written before the Senate and accept the results.
6
Donald Trump makes Ted Cruz look like Thomas Jefferson.
4
Anybody who can't see through Trump won't notice any gathering disaster until it is too late.
3
A recent quote from Ron Reagan:
"It's remarkable to think that often history can be changed, and sometimes in very fundamental ways, by people who don't actually know what they're doing."
"It's remarkable to think that often history can be changed, and sometimes in very fundamental ways, by people who don't actually know what they're doing."
6
Trump is not alone as the person/agency/organization holding America back from taking effective measures to moderate climate change. Visit these URLs to learn what government and the Times routinely fail to present as the most easily taken step to reduce emissions:
https://nyti.ms/2ubYUYZ
energy.gov/energysaver/heat-pump systems
At the first, Lisa Friedman poses a simple question in “If You Fix This, You Fix a Big Piece of the Climate Puzzle”- She asks which of these 4 choices is the most effective? The winner: “Improve air conditioners”.
A baby step, since she has in mind traditional air conditioners and seems totally unaware that the most efficient air conditioners are heat-pump systems, not traditional air conditioners. There is, to my surprise, a US government site @ energy.gov/energysaver/heat-pump systems where you can read:
“Because they move heat rather than generate heat, heat pumps can provide equivalent space conditioning at as little as one quarter of the cost of operating conventional heating or cooling appliances.”
Search for “heat pumps” at NYT and you will find that these words appeared often in the 1940s/1950s but not at all in the 21st Century. Why!
So reader, do not wait for the government, Trump's or other. You can take the best step possible, heat and cool your home with a heat-pump system, preferably ground-source geothermal heat pump system. You will never regret it.
Only-NeverInSweden.blogspot.com
https://nyti.ms/2ubYUYZ
energy.gov/energysaver/heat-pump systems
At the first, Lisa Friedman poses a simple question in “If You Fix This, You Fix a Big Piece of the Climate Puzzle”- She asks which of these 4 choices is the most effective? The winner: “Improve air conditioners”.
A baby step, since she has in mind traditional air conditioners and seems totally unaware that the most efficient air conditioners are heat-pump systems, not traditional air conditioners. There is, to my surprise, a US government site @ energy.gov/energysaver/heat-pump systems where you can read:
“Because they move heat rather than generate heat, heat pumps can provide equivalent space conditioning at as little as one quarter of the cost of operating conventional heating or cooling appliances.”
Search for “heat pumps” at NYT and you will find that these words appeared often in the 1940s/1950s but not at all in the 21st Century. Why!
So reader, do not wait for the government, Trump's or other. You can take the best step possible, heat and cool your home with a heat-pump system, preferably ground-source geothermal heat pump system. You will never regret it.
Only-NeverInSweden.blogspot.com
2
@ myself LL - 2d reply submission: Note that phrase "one quarter of the cost of operating conventional heating or cooling appliances".
Wouldn't you think people would be interested in reducing cost and having a fossil-free system far superior to fossil-fuel systems?
Wouldn't you think people would be interested in reducing cost and having a fossil-free system far superior to fossil-fuel systems?
2
@ Myself - LL - Note that the Lisa Friedman article focuses on HFCs which are used in conventional air conditioners and heat pumps. But once she has introduced that subject she goes on to tell us the number of air conditioners, presumably conventional, that are needed. Not a word about heat pumps.
So I name once again for the nth time 3 Ground-source geothermal (GSG) heat pump systems in my part of the USA that could show all of you the best possible solution.
Champlain College, Burlngton, VT - The pioneer introduced its first system a few years ago to heat and cool Perry Hall. Shown at my blog. Now it has done the same for its new dormitories.
Saint Michaels College, Colchester, VT (next to Burlington) - The Dion Family and Student Center has GSG since 2014. The system is invisible since the boreholes are hidden by the lawn in front of the library.
Cornell Tech, Roosevelt Island, NYC - GSG was being readied for testing but I have not seen any test report.
So these academic institutions are far out in front of any state or federal policy. Why not ask what your academic institution has done?
And then what about you, yourself?
Only-NeverInSweden.blogspot.com
Dual citizen US SE
So I name once again for the nth time 3 Ground-source geothermal (GSG) heat pump systems in my part of the USA that could show all of you the best possible solution.
Champlain College, Burlngton, VT - The pioneer introduced its first system a few years ago to heat and cool Perry Hall. Shown at my blog. Now it has done the same for its new dormitories.
Saint Michaels College, Colchester, VT (next to Burlington) - The Dion Family and Student Center has GSG since 2014. The system is invisible since the boreholes are hidden by the lawn in front of the library.
Cornell Tech, Roosevelt Island, NYC - GSG was being readied for testing but I have not seen any test report.
So these academic institutions are far out in front of any state or federal policy. Why not ask what your academic institution has done?
And then what about you, yourself?
Only-NeverInSweden.blogspot.com
Dual citizen US SE
2
A tornado hitting a Trump tower or a sea storm that dumps salt water on one of the golf courses, that would make him think, perhaps.
3
Having a President who refuses to believe objective reality is like riding in a car with a driver who is hallucinating. Trump's intransigent skepticism of 99% of climate scientists and 99% of the intelligence community and hid belief the :the worst is over" are signs of a dangerous cognitive problem. He is slipping further from reality every day. He needs to be removed from office as soon as possible, either through impeachment or by invoking the 25th Amendment. It is literally insane to allow such a man to occupy the Presidency.
7
Unfortunately, Trump has made the United States the loner.
4
Though apparently bright (he did get through the Wharton School) Mr. Trump lacks curiosity about the world around him, has no apparent interest in learning, and is concerned mainly about himself and increasing his wealth. Beyond that there is only an insatiable need for affirmation and reassurance that he is loved by those near and far. He will not change.
That said, his time is limited. He has until 2020 or 2024 (God help us). Certainly he is rapidly making the USA into a world follower. We will not be irrelevant because we are too big and too rich, but we are already losing our moral authority and our leadership position.
Climate change is a long term issue which stretches well beyond 2020 or 2024. We can again participate well, if the voters wake up enough to realize the damage being done by this group of solipsistic millionaires and elect leaders who appreciate science, history, and the need for the world to work together. If not, we will become a drag on the rest of the world, which China will by that time lead.
That said, his time is limited. He has until 2020 or 2024 (God help us). Certainly he is rapidly making the USA into a world follower. We will not be irrelevant because we are too big and too rich, but we are already losing our moral authority and our leadership position.
Climate change is a long term issue which stretches well beyond 2020 or 2024. We can again participate well, if the voters wake up enough to realize the damage being done by this group of solipsistic millionaires and elect leaders who appreciate science, history, and the need for the world to work together. If not, we will become a drag on the rest of the world, which China will by that time lead.
14
Did Trump graduate from Wharton? Some people are saying he didn't. Has he produced his education records as proof?
6
Trump seems to travel under the delusion that because the U.S. has been an important leader for a long time, all he has to do is move himself anywhere on the game board and the rest of the world will willingly follow. Unfortunately for this error, trade deals are being forged with Japan and the EU and others with China and other trade partners. These things have to happen rapidly because trade fuels economies and they won't be denied. Meanwhile our petulant fat boy President Know Nothing stubbornly wanders further into the wilderness where no one else wishes to go.
2
Yes, Wharton ... you have to wonder about their standards now.
1
Yes the climate is changing, daily whether we like it or not.
The one major element of President Trumps objection to obama's giveaway is/was the fact that we, America, would have to pay into this international bureaucracy over $100 Billion dollars the first year , which would increase to over $450 the second year. For what, so the majority of the 150 somthing countries eager to get this program going can reap the benefits!
Like the billions we pour into the numerous U N debacle every year, this program will become ANOTHER mandate on the American people, that we have NO control over.
Hold your (our) ground President Trump.
The one major element of President Trumps objection to obama's giveaway is/was the fact that we, America, would have to pay into this international bureaucracy over $100 Billion dollars the first year , which would increase to over $450 the second year. For what, so the majority of the 150 somthing countries eager to get this program going can reap the benefits!
Like the billions we pour into the numerous U N debacle every year, this program will become ANOTHER mandate on the American people, that we have NO control over.
Hold your (our) ground President Trump.
5
There is no requirement that the US pay $100 billion in the first year. There are no binding requirements of the cooperative agreement. The US voluntarily pledged $3 billion, but has voluntarily paid just under $10 billion. Research is not thought crime.
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/06/02/climate/trump-paris-green...
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/06/02/climate/trump-paris-green...
7
By its own estimate, the government made about $100 billion in payments a year to people who may not have been entitled to receive them — tax credits to families that didn't qualify, unemployment benefits to people who had jobs and medical payments for treatments that might not have been necessary.
You think that $100B to help the planet is imprudent?
You think that $100B to help the planet is imprudent?
4
liwop:
Don't know how old you are, but if you have not yet had children, I hope you never have any because they will NOT be able to breathe long enough to reach old age.
And I hope you don't except me or other taxpayers to pay for your oxygen when you can no longer breathe.
Don't know how old you are, but if you have not yet had children, I hope you never have any because they will NOT be able to breathe long enough to reach old age.
And I hope you don't except me or other taxpayers to pay for your oxygen when you can no longer breathe.
5
Organizations across the ideological spectrum like Citizens Climate Lobby & RepublicEN have endorsed a carbon fee–&–dividend plan, with a price on all fossil fuels that would be returned to citizens. To avoid disadvantaging US exporters, they propose 'border adjustments' to rebate fees on exports — and impose fees on imports.
Imagine what would happen if other countries pick up the idea & impose carbon fees/tariffs on US imports! Do you think the deniers might see the light?
Imagine what would happen if other countries pick up the idea & impose carbon fees/tariffs on US imports! Do you think the deniers might see the light?
11
Mr. Trump and his leadership are dragging American businesses down with their antiquated view of climate change. With government incentives over the past decades, Americans have been able to lead the world in innovation, developing new technologies to create new sources and methods of energy creation and use. Now we are busy letting the world catch up and race ahead of us in these crucial new commercial areas. Wind, solar and energy storage will be controlled by European and Asian countries and conglomerates. It is as if in the new age of the horseless carriage, America is sticking with the oxen. It amazes me what a little ignorance and greed can do to harm a Nation. Just amazing.
14
"he is... alone in the world" Trump is no 'lone voice in the wilderness'. Rather he's using pseudoscience to dismantle previous efforts to check our greenhouse gas emissions. Pruitt is pushing a televised 'red team/blue team' debate on the Science. Debate? The Science is 120 years old! Fifty years ago, President Johnson's science advisers warned Congress about it! Its central metric is how much will the planet warm if CO2 doubled from pre-industrial (i.e. went from 280 to 560ppm, we'll hit 560ppm by 2050). Scientists have been calculating 3 C for this metric for 120 years, since 60 years before there were calculators. The reason they always get the same answer is simple: that's the answer! 3 C is cause for concern. Neither of these is debatable.
Now, deniers are pushing a 'white paper' that claims the surface temperature surveys of NOAA, NASA, and Hadley CRU cannot be trusted. These surveys are cited by the EPA's Endangerment Finding justifying the regulation of CO2 emissions, which is the actual target of the white paper. Why doesn't the fossil-funded denial community just put together their own surface temperature survey? Oh, that's right, they did! It's called the BEST survey, was constructed 8 years ago with Koch Brothers funding, and ended up simply confirming the other surveys.
Trump is not a lone prophet: He's a threat to Science, America, and anyone under 30. And his fossil-advocacy has one beneficiary: Trump Inc's balance sheet.
Now, deniers are pushing a 'white paper' that claims the surface temperature surveys of NOAA, NASA, and Hadley CRU cannot be trusted. These surveys are cited by the EPA's Endangerment Finding justifying the regulation of CO2 emissions, which is the actual target of the white paper. Why doesn't the fossil-funded denial community just put together their own surface temperature survey? Oh, that's right, they did! It's called the BEST survey, was constructed 8 years ago with Koch Brothers funding, and ended up simply confirming the other surveys.
Trump is not a lone prophet: He's a threat to Science, America, and anyone under 30. And his fossil-advocacy has one beneficiary: Trump Inc's balance sheet.
12
We just have to go around him, on this and a host of other issues. There will be no change of mind unless for some bizarre reason his supporters change their minds or it appeals to his vanity. Write your state legislatures and governor. Demand action similar to what California has done.
10
John
If this is such a great idea, ask yourself, why did then President Obama NOT go to our congress and get this ratified as a TREATY?
Simple answer is the BILLIONS it would have caused the U S of A to give to the rest of the world. The MSM conveniently keeps this little secret from you who refuse to look further into the issue.
If this is such a great idea, ask yourself, why did then President Obama NOT go to our congress and get this ratified as a TREATY?
Simple answer is the BILLIONS it would have caused the U S of A to give to the rest of the world. The MSM conveniently keeps this little secret from you who refuse to look further into the issue.
1
Whenever someone invokes "the MSM" I know the rest of their post can be safely ignored.
The editors seek to argue an issue based on a premise they haven't first proved valid. And I challenge the validity of that premise, and therefore their reasoning and conclusions.
I see little evidence that Trump is a "denialist". What I see is recognition that global climate change is occurring, while not necessarily accepting that it's happening at the pace some claim -- a mainstream Republican conviction. I also see plenty of evidence that he doesn't accept that the methods taken by others, as for instance promised by the Paris Accord, likely will have a material effect on the process, in part because he doesn't believe the promises; in part because it calls for the West to sacrifice much while others sacrifice far less, when climate is a global phenomenon and not something controllable by individual states; and in part because some environmentalists claim that the promises, even if honored, are not enough.
If this rational position makes him a "loner", then that speaks poorly of others who regard a feel-good but selectively very expensive approach as desirable when it could be very dangerous by creating a false sense of sufficiency -- while placing some at economic disadvantage by increasing their costs of energy.
Trump has made it clear that the U.S., if not the West generally, will not be made a sucker by one-sided arrangements. He's also made it clear that he's willing to talk about addressing global climate change effectively and fairly. Why is that bad?
I see little evidence that Trump is a "denialist". What I see is recognition that global climate change is occurring, while not necessarily accepting that it's happening at the pace some claim -- a mainstream Republican conviction. I also see plenty of evidence that he doesn't accept that the methods taken by others, as for instance promised by the Paris Accord, likely will have a material effect on the process, in part because he doesn't believe the promises; in part because it calls for the West to sacrifice much while others sacrifice far less, when climate is a global phenomenon and not something controllable by individual states; and in part because some environmentalists claim that the promises, even if honored, are not enough.
If this rational position makes him a "loner", then that speaks poorly of others who regard a feel-good but selectively very expensive approach as desirable when it could be very dangerous by creating a false sense of sufficiency -- while placing some at economic disadvantage by increasing their costs of energy.
Trump has made it clear that the U.S., if not the West generally, will not be made a sucker by one-sided arrangements. He's also made it clear that he's willing to talk about addressing global climate change effectively and fairly. Why is that bad?
8
I assume the premise you speak of is global warming and yes it is real and yes it has been proved regardless of the argument that some on the right may make and no Trump is not a smarter or better leader for standing alone on his he is simply painfully uninformed and ignorant and the fact that the USA should contribute much more than other countries to the Paris accords is not in any way unfair because the USA is the second largest contributer to gashouse emissions in the world.
6
Guzzling the Kool-Aid again, eh Richard?
What there is no evidence of is that Trump has any interest in or capacity to look at or understand the science (or frankly anything that doesn't involve self-aggrandisement). The west is paying more for the Paris Accord because the west has most of the money. The US is the greediest country on earth, using a disproportionately yuge share of the planet's resources despite having a relatively low fraction of its population. The US and other western industrialised nations are best in a position to fight the problem.
Trump's idiotic refusal to be part of the solution has no logic behind it, it is pure denial (as is your continued fawning over a man whose career has been mostly marked by cheating people and lying -- constantly, about everything). Your party is bent on destroying the planet for profit, on throwing people off of their healthcare for profit, and of mollycoddling people who think Jesus hated contraception and who believe the earth is 4000 (or 6000?) years old.
How bad does it have to be before your mind actually makes a rational connection and processes the mountains of evidence that contradicts pretty much everything your President wants?
The 62 million or so people who voted for this gigantic toddler may welcome the death of the planet in the next hundred or so years, but the remaining 7 billion of us would like to see earth outlive the next generation.
Ignorance is a natural thing; wilful ignorance is pure evil.
What there is no evidence of is that Trump has any interest in or capacity to look at or understand the science (or frankly anything that doesn't involve self-aggrandisement). The west is paying more for the Paris Accord because the west has most of the money. The US is the greediest country on earth, using a disproportionately yuge share of the planet's resources despite having a relatively low fraction of its population. The US and other western industrialised nations are best in a position to fight the problem.
Trump's idiotic refusal to be part of the solution has no logic behind it, it is pure denial (as is your continued fawning over a man whose career has been mostly marked by cheating people and lying -- constantly, about everything). Your party is bent on destroying the planet for profit, on throwing people off of their healthcare for profit, and of mollycoddling people who think Jesus hated contraception and who believe the earth is 4000 (or 6000?) years old.
How bad does it have to be before your mind actually makes a rational connection and processes the mountains of evidence that contradicts pretty much everything your President wants?
The 62 million or so people who voted for this gigantic toddler may welcome the death of the planet in the next hundred or so years, but the remaining 7 billion of us would like to see earth outlive the next generation.
Ignorance is a natural thing; wilful ignorance is pure evil.
1
Red Lion:
There doesn't appear to be any evidence whatsoever that Earth as a planet will "die", but merely that it might become a seriously less welcoming home for NYT commenters. You want to acknowledge the difference, even from Europe.
There doesn't appear to be any evidence whatsoever that Earth as a planet will "die", but merely that it might become a seriously less welcoming home for NYT commenters. You want to acknowledge the difference, even from Europe.
Please: Climate denial is not denial at all. It's an affirmation of the power of economics to motivate people to barbarity.
12
Allow me to connect some dots. First, Russia today is little more than a petro-state run by kleptocrats, whose primary assets are fossil fuels, so definitely needs a fossil-fueled world. Trump's family is in an industry subject to booms and busts, in which the weakest operators will at times find it difficult to obtain financing. Russian kleptocrats also have need of a way to launder their billions in filthy lucre, and the primary vehicle for doing so typically involves large, international real estate transactions, especially in jurisdictions with corrupt politicians and weak to non-existent rule of law. Russia sees a US presidential candidate in need of what it has (financing), vulnerable to blackmail, willing to engage and with prior experience in real estate transactions with corrupt characters in risky places, and, best of all, intellectually challenged and egotistical enough to be thoroughly played. Voila! And we wonder whether trump can somehow suddenly be convinced to see climate as an issue? Dream on.
68
It should not be about who creates the most greenhouse gasses - China does in absolute terms, the US does in per capita terms. It should be about who's economy is most at risk to climate change. I've been to Hong Kong (it's mountainous) and Florida (it's not). A three meter sea level rise would be inconvenient for Hong Kong, but a disaster for Florida - and the Gulf Coast, East Coast, New York City, etc. in short, we need to do MORE than our share because we have more at risk. And we need the help of the rest of the world to save us.
20
Well, parts of the USA are doing their share. It's just not government-mandated efforts, but rather local ones, in individual schools, neighbourhoods, cities, counties, and states, a deeply American way of doing things. If, as I hope, this movement gains in scope and force, the government won't have to mandate change, because change will come, thanks to the decency and responsibility of local leaders and citizens who see what is happening, and want to avert the disaster we are heading into, all of us, on this one planet. And no one politician, not Trump, nor any of the G.O.P. can stand against the American people especially as there are Republicans who are cooperating, too.
Bless them all.
Bless them all.
4
The country should just kiss Florida goodbye. The governor is a climate change denier. South Beach is raising its streets in response to constant flooding. Higher than usual tides cause water to come out of street drains, flooding the streets in Key West. A beach in Key West has eroded causing a beach equipment rental business to have to move to a different site. In the 18 years I have been in KW, each summer is hotter than the one before. Climate change????
Poor poor Trump.
The problem with much of the climate change debate, and a problem which affects Trump deeply, is that the cause of climate change is irrelevant to survival. Pointing to what might be causing temperatures to rise might be debatable (it isn't!!), but clearly global temperatures are rising, especially at the Northern and Southern latitudes. Rather than focus on whether this is a manmade crisis, we need to focus on infrastructure building which will keep the oceans out of our living rooms.
Also, even if man is not causing climate change it's a good idea to stop air pollution because it's better to breathe natural air rather than some random gas cocktail created by chemical companies and other polluters.
The problem with much of the climate change debate, and a problem which affects Trump deeply, is that the cause of climate change is irrelevant to survival. Pointing to what might be causing temperatures to rise might be debatable (it isn't!!), but clearly global temperatures are rising, especially at the Northern and Southern latitudes. Rather than focus on whether this is a manmade crisis, we need to focus on infrastructure building which will keep the oceans out of our living rooms.
Also, even if man is not causing climate change it's a good idea to stop air pollution because it's better to breathe natural air rather than some random gas cocktail created by chemical companies and other polluters.
9
Are you aware that CO2 (the primary greenhouse gas) is not some chemical pollutant but a naturally occurring phenomenon - you expel it every time you breath and it is essential for plant life. So really the only reason to regulate it is for impacting climate change not because it is "a chemical pollutant" as you inaccurately assert.
2
You quibble over terminology, Nyalman, and miss the larger point. The terms "naturally occurring phenomenon" and "chemical pollutant" aren't mutually exclusive.
1
CO2 created by man is part of the unnatural gas cocktail to which I referred. The fact something exists naturally, like uranium for instance, or arsenic, does not make it healthy to be around as processed by the hands of man. Your argument suffers from the false equivalence which affects most much of the science deniers' talking points.
3
The question is not "is the Earth's climate changing" but rather what can we do to mitigate the rate of change and at what cost. It may very well turn out that following rigorous scientific, industrial and economic analysis ameliorating the situation might be too costly, too ineffective or impractical on the requisite global basis.
One hopes that the Paris accords are based on such an in depth, dispassionate analysis and that at least mitigating the impact is doable. If so then Trump's decision to withdraw from the agreement reinforces the observation that his primary motivation is to undo any action bearing Obama's signature regardless of its basis in reality, critically or common sense.
Climate change deniers unwilling to even entertain the idea that there is an issue are fools or worse, selfish "bad hombres." Those who accept the fact but then ascribe it to an irreversible "Gods will" are at best misguided.
Lay out the facts and assumptions for all to see. Dismiss the emotional exhortations from either camp. Let the people decide. "Market forces and the march of technology" are already having an impact on the coal industry via cheaper natural gas and automation. Is solely relying on the markets sufficient to the task?
As with "thank you for your service", "taking care of our children and grandchildren" has become a trope. If we are sincere about their welfare then mitigating the negative impacts of undeniable climate change, if doable, is an existential imperative.
One hopes that the Paris accords are based on such an in depth, dispassionate analysis and that at least mitigating the impact is doable. If so then Trump's decision to withdraw from the agreement reinforces the observation that his primary motivation is to undo any action bearing Obama's signature regardless of its basis in reality, critically or common sense.
Climate change deniers unwilling to even entertain the idea that there is an issue are fools or worse, selfish "bad hombres." Those who accept the fact but then ascribe it to an irreversible "Gods will" are at best misguided.
Lay out the facts and assumptions for all to see. Dismiss the emotional exhortations from either camp. Let the people decide. "Market forces and the march of technology" are already having an impact on the coal industry via cheaper natural gas and automation. Is solely relying on the markets sufficient to the task?
As with "thank you for your service", "taking care of our children and grandchildren" has become a trope. If we are sincere about their welfare then mitigating the negative impacts of undeniable climate change, if doable, is an existential imperative.
3
Lay out the facts and assumptions for all to see. Dismiss the emotional exhortations from either camp. Very good suggestion, but what if the people you want to convince refuse to read what is before them? I had a friend who, at seeing an excellen article about that very subject in a magazine, stated: "I'm not reading that. It's all lies anyway." When I had read it and said it tallied with my own information, the reaction was "I've meditated about it and I know it's all lies." You cannot move minds that are as closed as a very irritated clam.
I read where the European NATO members who have for decades not meet their 2% of GDP for defense spending will be compensating the US by fulfilling any unmet US Paris Accord commitments. They said that they got a free ride from the US on their defense and in the spirit of reciprocity and for the good of the planet this was the right thing to do.
Just kidding!!!!!
Just kidding!!!!!
3
Free ride on defence? The US of A ´s sole interest and doctrien have been for decades full scale global dominance . For that reason they maintain more then 100 Military bases around the globe and spend each year more then 700 billions on defence budged and in endless wars and overthrowing goverments worldwide.
It is in no way altruism , and if your allies do not fit in anymore, they have been alsways traitet. As recent history has prooven, the result has been an increasing number of new enemies.
So you seem to have no Problem to feed the Pipeline with taxpayers Dollars direct into the pockets of the industriell Military complex where the only interest is an ongoing never ending state of war.
It is in no way altruism , and if your allies do not fit in anymore, they have been alsways traitet. As recent history has prooven, the result has been an increasing number of new enemies.
So you seem to have no Problem to feed the Pipeline with taxpayers Dollars direct into the pockets of the industriell Military complex where the only interest is an ongoing never ending state of war.
Allies made spending commitments to the NATO which they did not fulfill. Perhaps the US should make greenhouse gas reduction commitments it shouldn't fulfill (or simply not make them in the first place and have others - counties like Germany who never paid their agreed upon fair share for NATO - shoulder the burden)
1
"It makes one wonder what could conceivably change Mr. Trump’s mind."
The energy industry and Koch Brothers are the ones who could change his mind, if they so pleased. Yet they press on with the dismantling of environmental regulations, resulting in the degradation of our health and demise of our planet.
Their efforts are the main reason behind the "denial" of science and climate change. Why do you not mention this?
The energy industry and Koch Brothers are the ones who could change his mind, if they so pleased. Yet they press on with the dismantling of environmental regulations, resulting in the degradation of our health and demise of our planet.
Their efforts are the main reason behind the "denial" of science and climate change. Why do you not mention this?
18
Republicans in Congress have a vested interest in denying climate change, since there are enough evil corporations greasing their greedy palms who put profit above all else. Once the GOP convinced their base that climate change is a liberal conspiracy, their agenda gained momentum. Trump is their obedient mouthpiece.
21
Palms aren't getting greased so much as threatened. The fossil fuel industry has the resources to crush the career of any politician who even dares say the words "climate change." Citizens United and our campaign finance system have given big business all the power in this country. Voting for the rest of us is like drinking a Shirley Temple - in the most recent election, it let around 3 million people pretend they were participating.
It does not benefit his minders' (Bannon, Mercers, etc.) agenda, clear and simple. Trump and his "investors" benefit more by pulling out. There is more to be made during times of volatility (which ironically, the high-speed traders are having a touch time lately). Trump is a simple man, really. Just follow the money, that's all.
5
This is a truly fake crisis.....when frivolous burning of hydrocarbons are outlawed or rigidly controlled, things such as tourism, non-commercial flying, boating, driving, professional sports matches with live audiences, dining out, the cooling and heating of buildings.....shall I go on?....
When these things are strictly regulated, we will know we have a crisis on our hands.
We are tired of the manufactured non-crises du jour....acid rain, ozone layer, killer bees, etc. Just tired of them.
When these things are strictly regulated, we will know we have a crisis on our hands.
We are tired of the manufactured non-crises du jour....acid rain, ozone layer, killer bees, etc. Just tired of them.
2
Las Vegas, NASCAR, Daytona. The list goes on and on enough to convince one that where there's a buck to be made there will be little cutback of the activities that use tremendous amounts of power but perform no work to the advantage of all.
And you wonder why some don't take all of this seriously?
And you wonder why some don't take all of this seriously?
I don't know what point this comment is trying to make, except that its author is tired. Sorry about that.
If it helps at all, perfectly acceptable levels of comfort and recreation can be sustained without destroying the environment, though we're likely to have to create new habits and find more thoughtful expectations.
If it helps at all, perfectly acceptable levels of comfort and recreation can be sustained without destroying the environment, though we're likely to have to create new habits and find more thoughtful expectations.
1
Too tired to think, apparently. By the time climate change effects the things you mention, we will be on a one-way ride to an unimaginable catastrophe in which currently inhabited regions average 200 degrees and major American coastal cities are gone completely. Acid rain and the ozone problem are largely better because we got concerned and took measures. To ignore climate change because you are tired of bad news is pretty lame.
Like the rest of the world, Americans individually as a society and businesses can ignore and isolate willful ignorance by one who cannot possibly lead for the saving of our planet. California and other states will continue to abide by the Paris agreement and we should obstruct Republican Earth destroying activities as best we can - it is our planet and that of future generation's.
The Trumps prefer the beauty of our natural world as dead carcasses hanging from their walls and rugs to tread on, or confined to samples of frozen test tubes like the frozen zoos painfully described in the NYT Mag article "Arks of the Apocalypse" https://nyti.ms/2uc1tKK .
The Trumps prefer the beauty of our natural world as dead carcasses hanging from their walls and rugs to tread on, or confined to samples of frozen test tubes like the frozen zoos painfully described in the NYT Mag article "Arks of the Apocalypse" https://nyti.ms/2uc1tKK .
2
Polluting America's fields and streams for future generations to clean up isn't enough for the Koch brothers. Those two must have had some parenting! How much money do they want? What if a Go Fund Me campaign were able to raise enough to satisfy their greed on the condition they just go away and give our dear planet Earth a break?
8
European leaders have tried, but so far no one has been able to shake him out of his denialism.
How about '... to shake him out of denial'
How about '... to shake him out of denial'
4
Plus, of course, he's contributing to the problem with all of his hot air and polluted thoughts. It's unclear whether his point of view is based on his basic stupidity and he simply doesn't understand the issue or, being an opportunist, he believes climate denial will play well with his base.
6
None can deny that elected Trump shows the extent of public ignorance and stupidity. I have been there, and I have seen that. I am a witness to the perpetuation of lies by a single party.
Trump is a lost cause. So is his GOP. The rest of the world just hopes the USA comes to it's sense ASAP.
10
HE is impervious to broadly accepted intelligence. Of ANY variety.
5
According to Antony, "Brutus is an honorable man;" and according to Trump, Donald is a "smart man."
But, he is not smart enough to understand complicated or even broad, simplified facts, like those in climate or science, in general. A suspicious and paranoid man, who calls the Russia investigation "this Russian thing," he probably wonders why so many people around the world are trying to trick him with this "climate thing."
Oh well, this is one explanation for his denial, and, the others are Obama-hate, and increased opportunities for him and his billionaire friends to make more money, some way, somehow....
But, he is not smart enough to understand complicated or even broad, simplified facts, like those in climate or science, in general. A suspicious and paranoid man, who calls the Russia investigation "this Russian thing," he probably wonders why so many people around the world are trying to trick him with this "climate thing."
Oh well, this is one explanation for his denial, and, the others are Obama-hate, and increased opportunities for him and his billionaire friends to make more money, some way, somehow....
3
What's the matter with us? I came to this country 50 years ago to join the ranks of the brave and the free. Now look at us, playing lifeless and dead against the will of an incompetent, ignoramus?
Over 100 years ago, a frail. lonely man, called, Gandhi, stood up against unjust edicts and orders of a colonial power. He was an unknown, average attorney then, residing in a foreign land, not his own when he took that stand He was beaten soundly and charged with sedition. Against the advice of his lawyer, he pled guity to the charge and stated in the court that he felt morally bound to break those rules again and again. A day came when the whole of India lined up behind the old skinny, scrawny man.
And here we are acting helpless before a stupid man all the time worrying that his party controls both houses of Congress and republican rank and file have his back. SO WHAT? We in the opposition constitute the majority of citizenry. Our problem is rather than depending on our own strength, we are always focused on Trump's less than 40 percent support in the country.
Peerhaps we need to follow the Gandhian path. Disregard Trump's EO's that go against the greater good of the country, against our planet, Mother Earth. It's called CIvil Disobedience. What'd you say, folks?
Over 100 years ago, a frail. lonely man, called, Gandhi, stood up against unjust edicts and orders of a colonial power. He was an unknown, average attorney then, residing in a foreign land, not his own when he took that stand He was beaten soundly and charged with sedition. Against the advice of his lawyer, he pled guity to the charge and stated in the court that he felt morally bound to break those rules again and again. A day came when the whole of India lined up behind the old skinny, scrawny man.
And here we are acting helpless before a stupid man all the time worrying that his party controls both houses of Congress and republican rank and file have his back. SO WHAT? We in the opposition constitute the majority of citizenry. Our problem is rather than depending on our own strength, we are always focused on Trump's less than 40 percent support in the country.
Peerhaps we need to follow the Gandhian path. Disregard Trump's EO's that go against the greater good of the country, against our planet, Mother Earth. It's called CIvil Disobedience. What'd you say, folks?
25
While Ghandi was performing his acts of civil disobedience and excoriating the British for not allowing the people to own guns there were two civilian armies bombing and killing each other behind him that he was unable to control and which eventually tore India asunder.
Do you believe it couldn't happen here?
Do you believe it couldn't happen here?
Sadly, the person at the top - whether it be within a government, corporation, or what have you - is often seen to be representative of those beneath. Trump's backward, head-in-the-sand, inflexible thinking is translating world-wide into your reputation as a people, America. You are better than that! Aren't you? Remember "We the People...", i.e., your Constitution? This article reads as if Mr. Trump's stonewalling is a done deal. Isn't it time you reminded him who works for who? We are one planet; we have a responsibility to each other to preserve it. Please don't let the rest of us down.
2
You are all making a mistake. Trump will not listen to reason but listen to votes instead.
There had been a long term brainwashing done to a large section of the electorate to hate 'liberal agenda'. A 'liberal agenda' is, by the very fact of being liberal, wrong. [Obamacare is another good example of Liberty stealing by a black President]
Here the liberal agenda is Climate change policies. They have been trained that Science is making more and more accurate predictions. They have been trained on confidence level of predictions. They can articulate that science is therefore incomplete and therefore needs to be junked.
You need to confront them and ask how predicable is economics.
Trump will not change unless his electorate changes.
There had been a long term brainwashing done to a large section of the electorate to hate 'liberal agenda'. A 'liberal agenda' is, by the very fact of being liberal, wrong. [Obamacare is another good example of Liberty stealing by a black President]
Here the liberal agenda is Climate change policies. They have been trained that Science is making more and more accurate predictions. They have been trained on confidence level of predictions. They can articulate that science is therefore incomplete and therefore needs to be junked.
You need to confront them and ask how predicable is economics.
Trump will not change unless his electorate changes.
1
All those comments are ignoring the REALITY OF POLITICS. If Trump could make a decision that will bring 100.000 coal jobs in Ohio and Michigan but at the same time lose 1 million jobs in California and damage the planet (which will show it in 30/50 years) what would he do?
California is lost to Republicans no matter what, Ohio and Michigan carried him to the presidency. He would do it without a second thought !! It is about choosing a climate policy that please his electorate and his donors; facts, science, reality and other nations behaviour do not even enter the picture !!!!
California is lost to Republicans no matter what, Ohio and Michigan carried him to the presidency. He would do it without a second thought !! It is about choosing a climate policy that please his electorate and his donors; facts, science, reality and other nations behaviour do not even enter the picture !!!!
5
In New York, Governor Cuomo's policies ignore upstate New York where he gets few votes.
It is criminal, a crime against Humanity that already kills people.
One day I hope to see the deniers in prison, if they are doing this for personal or corporate profit.
One day I hope to see the deniers in prison, if they are doing this for personal or corporate profit.
1
Of the G-20 leaders, none actively associated with trump. That should tell you something. He was more or less a paper weight, a pet rock, a chia pet.
3
We are on our own on this one. Climate change denial is catnip to all those voters in red hats. They also enjoy annoying Europeans. Zero chance that Trump decides to do the right thing but we might be able to get there without his administration.
3
Macron humiliated himself with his fawning welcome of Trump. Sadly, he's a toady as so may other American politicians are. Or is he merely a "grenouille a la francaise ?
1
Macron is more intelligent than you seem to think he is. French politicians are educated to recognize exactly what appeals to visiting politicians, and they give them exactly that because by pleasing them / massaging their egos, they may just find an opening to start negotiations that are worth the name. Two men playing at 'I am greater than you' would only lead to conflict comparable to two tomcats on a fence: antagonism, and no will at all to listen to the other.
Seemed to me like Macron invited Trump to Paris mostly to laugh at him, and have the world laugh at Trump.
It likely produced both these outcomes.
I find no evidence to suggest that Marcon was trying to build a bridge, or implore Trump to lead the fight against global warming (or other global problems). They may have mentioned it, but something subversive was at work. Rather predictably, the non-glib Trump made some verbal gaffes. So what?
As an American taxpayer, citizen, who often finds myself alone in European crowds - defending the country from anti-American barrages and swipes - I am more than offended by this opportunism of Macron. Trump is who he is, and I did not vote for him. But that does not mean I am going to join Macron in making mirth of an elected American official. Making fun of an American president is my constitutional right, but I am not sharing this right with the French.
Kalidan
It likely produced both these outcomes.
I find no evidence to suggest that Marcon was trying to build a bridge, or implore Trump to lead the fight against global warming (or other global problems). They may have mentioned it, but something subversive was at work. Rather predictably, the non-glib Trump made some verbal gaffes. So what?
As an American taxpayer, citizen, who often finds myself alone in European crowds - defending the country from anti-American barrages and swipes - I am more than offended by this opportunism of Macron. Trump is who he is, and I did not vote for him. But that does not mean I am going to join Macron in making mirth of an elected American official. Making fun of an American president is my constitutional right, but I am not sharing this right with the French.
Kalidan
Don't blame Macron for Trump's behavior in Paris. When Trump stands next to, or speaks with, any other leader, he needs no help looking foolish. He can handle that quite well all by himself. And the more intelligent the leader, the more foolish the Trump.
You might just as well change one letter to make "Loner" into "Loser." For "loser" captures Trump's position.
Most of the globe, from Canada to China, Germany to Australia, are looking forward when it comes to protecting our planet, while Trump conspicuously turns backward. Other nations use energy smartly, while Trump basks in the glow of inefficiency. Science paves the path forward for climate respnsibility, while Trump makes up a hoax that climate change is a hoax. Trump even made a snide remark about the city of Paris when he pulled out of the accords, as ignorant about the city's significance to the deal as he is about the need for that deal.
If Trump saw one individual cast aside from.a group, getting left behind as the others marched forward, he would immediately distinguish that person as a loser. Well, Donald, that was you at the G20. And that "L" on your forehead sure is not for "leader."
Most of the globe, from Canada to China, Germany to Australia, are looking forward when it comes to protecting our planet, while Trump conspicuously turns backward. Other nations use energy smartly, while Trump basks in the glow of inefficiency. Science paves the path forward for climate respnsibility, while Trump makes up a hoax that climate change is a hoax. Trump even made a snide remark about the city of Paris when he pulled out of the accords, as ignorant about the city's significance to the deal as he is about the need for that deal.
If Trump saw one individual cast aside from.a group, getting left behind as the others marched forward, he would immediately distinguish that person as a loser. Well, Donald, that was you at the G20. And that "L" on your forehead sure is not for "leader."
3
Sadly, the current Australian leadership has more in common with Trump than with the rest of the world.
The mining industry essentially runs the country, and coal is a huge export, as well as being a major source of domestic power.
The mining industry essentially runs the country, and coal is a huge export, as well as being a major source of domestic power.
Our people elected Trump and his Republican colleagues in Congress and in most states.
We are getting the country we deserve.
We are getting the country we deserve.
Trying to understand Trump's position on climate change is to misunderstand the emptiness of the man's mind. He manages to ramble vacuously when delivering a sound-bite. There is absolutely, positively no 'there' there.
Indeed, there may not be a worse time in human history to have such a leader. The science is clear: We have a vanishingly small window to avoid the worst of climate change, and we will spend ALL of our time trying to gain ground against an administration fundamentally at war with the environment.
I'm sorry, kids...I will keep fighting because I don't know what else to do, but your future is getting darker by the day.
PLEASE, PLEASE, can we work together to throw these bums out before it gets any worse?
Indeed, there may not be a worse time in human history to have such a leader. The science is clear: We have a vanishingly small window to avoid the worst of climate change, and we will spend ALL of our time trying to gain ground against an administration fundamentally at war with the environment.
I'm sorry, kids...I will keep fighting because I don't know what else to do, but your future is getting darker by the day.
PLEASE, PLEASE, can we work together to throw these bums out before it gets any worse?
6
This will be America's biggest shame in the future. I just hope that in 50 years future generations know that there were advocates for their safety and preservation of the environment.
2
Models are not reality. And miniscule changes in various Earth weather measures are not "unprecedented" on a celestial rock of many millennia in age. The reasons to aggressively pursue non-fossil fuel sources capable of widespread industrial, agricultural and lifestyle application is simple - geopolitical and economic warfare. Anyone who doubts this competitive "war" is underway is likely stuck in a Russo-dream of impeachment or carrying a mattress around a campus. So set aside the faux outrage and abject hatred born of losing an election an entitled candidate and her enablers squandered and work an issue on the merits instead of as a salve to your broken egos. In short, grow up. Or continue to be viewed by half the country as spolied brats preferring temper tantrums to thoughful opposition.
1
It seems the winners are the spoiled brats.
Even giving Trump a big beautiful parade with a military flyover to bring a smile to his rosy cheeks, Macron couldn't get the vindictive one to deviate from his mission to erase Obama's commitments, let alone think. I read recently that global warming ranks down near the bottom on the list of issues that Americans care about, on average, but this is without a doubt the biggest and most damaging problem that we face as a world short of nuclear war. The evidence is in, and the first effects are being felt in major ways, as in the dying of the Great Barrier Reef, loss of habitats, and the rapid loss of glaciers and the polar ice caps and ice shelves with the coming sea rise.
The consequences will be bad enough with the steps committed to in the Paris Agreement but will be worsened by US withdrawal. If Trump lasts 8 years and makes all these regressive actions stick, history will record his reckless willful ignorance as his major legacy, just as it is recording his foolishness and disregard for the best things we stand for now.
Two, four, or even eight years are short periods in the scheme of things, so I hope that Trump's actions and policies will be reversed and the US returned to an enlightened path. The man will not be forgotten, but not for the reasons in his imagined world where he presides over parades and huge crowds gathered to adore him in his greatness.
The consequences will be bad enough with the steps committed to in the Paris Agreement but will be worsened by US withdrawal. If Trump lasts 8 years and makes all these regressive actions stick, history will record his reckless willful ignorance as his major legacy, just as it is recording his foolishness and disregard for the best things we stand for now.
Two, four, or even eight years are short periods in the scheme of things, so I hope that Trump's actions and policies will be reversed and the US returned to an enlightened path. The man will not be forgotten, but not for the reasons in his imagined world where he presides over parades and huge crowds gathered to adore him in his greatness.
1
"The unanswered question is whether the goals set in the Paris accord can be reached without United States participation. "
The answer to this is yes when the overall climate of the earth is considered. The best way to reduce CO2 into the atmosphere is to frack natural gas and ship LNG all over the world.
The path that Obama had chosen was to reduce natural gas usage to below current levels and to discourage fracking. By pulling out of the accords, the US is now able to take leadership in global CO2 reductions by exploiting natural gas through fracking and ship it worldwide as LNG.
Not being in the accords is key to overall reductions of CO2 release for the planet. The number of LNG transports has risen from 100 to 181 in just the last year and LNG exports are just getting going as export facilities are created.
Solar use will continue to rise, but it will take decades for the infrastructure to be built - in the short term of the next few decades, LNG will be our planets savior with the US leading that effort.
The answer to this is yes when the overall climate of the earth is considered. The best way to reduce CO2 into the atmosphere is to frack natural gas and ship LNG all over the world.
The path that Obama had chosen was to reduce natural gas usage to below current levels and to discourage fracking. By pulling out of the accords, the US is now able to take leadership in global CO2 reductions by exploiting natural gas through fracking and ship it worldwide as LNG.
Not being in the accords is key to overall reductions of CO2 release for the planet. The number of LNG transports has risen from 100 to 181 in just the last year and LNG exports are just getting going as export facilities are created.
Solar use will continue to rise, but it will take decades for the infrastructure to be built - in the short term of the next few decades, LNG will be our planets savior with the US leading that effort.
Making America Great as a polluter is disheartening. Of course, Trump is not alone with his denial of global warming; after all he has packed his administration with deniers. His unwillingness to participate with the nations of our world in an attempt to reduce CO2 levels is ethically like so many other actions by Trump’s administration wrong and abhorrent. Thumbing his nose at our world is cruel and quite possibly destabilizing to all human life.
The good news I read is that investors are raising the stock value on electric car manufactures above that of the traditional gas engine producing companies. With or without Trump’s leadership apparently many know the future lies with renewable energy and carbon-less engines. Leadership can provide many possible incentives. Unfortunately, a president and party adamantly opposed to encouraging development of renewable energy is simply stupid, narcasisitic, and loyal/devoted to a few powerful men who put wealth before nation and world.
The good news I read is that investors are raising the stock value on electric car manufactures above that of the traditional gas engine producing companies. With or without Trump’s leadership apparently many know the future lies with renewable energy and carbon-less engines. Leadership can provide many possible incentives. Unfortunately, a president and party adamantly opposed to encouraging development of renewable energy is simply stupid, narcasisitic, and loyal/devoted to a few powerful men who put wealth before nation and world.
1
I'd like to see the rest of the world put tariffs on US products produced with dirty fuels. We're talking money - the only thing Trump seems to (dimly) understand.
2
Trump's slogan about making America Great Again is a backwards looking philosophy
He wants to return the country to the days of coal, steel, racism, women as sex objects, trade wars, pre-depression era lack of safety nets, no medicare and so on.
And sadly so many Americans have bought into it.
He wants to return the country to the days of coal, steel, racism, women as sex objects, trade wars, pre-depression era lack of safety nets, no medicare and so on.
And sadly so many Americans have bought into it.
2
As a real estate developer and D list celebrity, DJT is in a prime position to monetize the presidency by withdrawing from the Paris Accords, reviving filthy coal and cutting as many as environmental regulations as he can so that lower manhattan reverts to the swamp that the GOP is acclimated to while midtown real estate rises in value as the Hudson reclaims lower manhattan. All on Bastille Day. Irony, you slay me...
1
If he believes what he says about climate change, he's stupid and petty. The most infuriating thing about his ignorance is that he's taking America and the world down with him. We only have a short window to act on climate change and thanks to Trump, we are wasting extremely valuable time. I look at little kids today and I feel terribly sorry for them, for what they will face in their lifetimes with climate change, due to Trump and his ignorant followers. Thank God for Jerry Brown, California, and every state and governor that chooses to act despite Trump's backwards policies.
1
I do not believe that ANYONE places any credence in anything that trump is doing or has done while holding office. He has destroyed American's confidence and belief that he is capable of being or growing into becoming an effective government leader. All we Americans can do at this point is to endure and hope that he doesn't do anymore damage than the courts and Congress will allow.
What trump was able to get away with in terms of unlawful behavior prior to his taking office cannot be tolerated while he holds office. That is the bottom line. trump must not be allowed to get away with any unlawful behavior while holding office. He must be stopped in his tracks and removed from office as being unfit and of being a felon.
If Congress refuses to hold him accountable, then each and every member of Congress who refuses to hold him accountable MUST BE IMPEACHED as accomplices. No other way to look at it.
What trump was able to get away with in terms of unlawful behavior prior to his taking office cannot be tolerated while he holds office. That is the bottom line. trump must not be allowed to get away with any unlawful behavior while holding office. He must be stopped in his tracks and removed from office as being unfit and of being a felon.
If Congress refuses to hold him accountable, then each and every member of Congress who refuses to hold him accountable MUST BE IMPEACHED as accomplices. No other way to look at it.
1
"Mr. Trump will awaken..."?
When pigs fly. Donald Trump is a man absolutely impervious to any change of mind that doesn't suit his "brand", and cooperation among nations isn't part of that brand. His brand is "America First" - which translates to "Donald first" - even if that means sailing our country into the path of that Delaware-sized iceberg.
He is, however, "unpredictable"; which means kaleidoscopic changes of mind from tweet to tweet. If he can be convinced that global warming might put the lobby of Trump Tower underwater... a new national objective would emerge! - or "surface".
What a disaster we have on our hands in the form of Donald Trump, President - unbelievably, surrealistically - president of the United States.
When pigs fly. Donald Trump is a man absolutely impervious to any change of mind that doesn't suit his "brand", and cooperation among nations isn't part of that brand. His brand is "America First" - which translates to "Donald first" - even if that means sailing our country into the path of that Delaware-sized iceberg.
He is, however, "unpredictable"; which means kaleidoscopic changes of mind from tweet to tweet. If he can be convinced that global warming might put the lobby of Trump Tower underwater... a new national objective would emerge! - or "surface".
What a disaster we have on our hands in the form of Donald Trump, President - unbelievably, surrealistically - president of the United States.
The editorial expresses the hope that either the attitude of our allies or the evidence of accelerating climate change will convince Trump of the error of his ways. But the president has provided ample evidence of his disregard for the leaders of the democratic members of the G20, so why would their alienation bother him? After all, Angela Merkel and the others do not vote in American elections, and their disapproval would probably even enhance Trump's standing with his base.
As for the evidence of climate change, Trump has never shown any interest in 'facts' he did not himself 'create.' He has always behaved as if he could circumvent any attempt by government or other businesses to limit his freedom of action. He may well believe he can also fool 'mother nature.' Unfortunately, when reality teaches him the folly of his ways, millions of other people will also suffer.
As for the evidence of climate change, Trump has never shown any interest in 'facts' he did not himself 'create.' He has always behaved as if he could circumvent any attempt by government or other businesses to limit his freedom of action. He may well believe he can also fool 'mother nature.' Unfortunately, when reality teaches him the folly of his ways, millions of other people will also suffer.
President Obama's goals can be met. The trouble with citizens is that they think the nanny state will solve the problem, but it is up to the citizens to cut back on energy use through conservation and adopting technology to save energy at the consumer level. This conservation by the crowd will result in an aggregate result of reduced green house gases everywhere.
I reduced the heating, cooling and electricity need for both and lighting by sealing air leaks in the living space apart from the basement and attic and added insulation in the attic and changed all the lighting to Compact Fluorescent and LED bulbs. That was 13 years ago and year after year I have saved thousands of dollars of my money.
I reduced this house's energy use by 30 percent and saved lots of money. That means 30 percent less carbon dioxide from the furnace and the power plant that supplies my electricity. I took action long ago.
I took personal responsibility for my emitted pollution. So must everyone else because now the government won't.
Conservation should be a mindset for everyone. Is it ON?.....Turn it OFF!
I reduced the heating, cooling and electricity need for both and lighting by sealing air leaks in the living space apart from the basement and attic and added insulation in the attic and changed all the lighting to Compact Fluorescent and LED bulbs. That was 13 years ago and year after year I have saved thousands of dollars of my money.
I reduced this house's energy use by 30 percent and saved lots of money. That means 30 percent less carbon dioxide from the furnace and the power plant that supplies my electricity. I took action long ago.
I took personal responsibility for my emitted pollution. So must everyone else because now the government won't.
Conservation should be a mindset for everyone. Is it ON?.....Turn it OFF!
I don't see the point in trying to change Trump's mind. He says one thing today and the opposite tomorrow, and doesn't care about anything except enriching himself and receiving adulation.
In any case, change comes from the bottom up. And this too is a concern. During a recent heat wave, I explained to a neighbor how we cooled our house: we open the skylights and turn on the furnace fan, which pushes cool air up from the basement and hot air out the skylight. We also draw the curtains on the sunny side of the house. When it finally cools off after sunset, we open the windows. And so on. The neighbor (who is not disabled) said he is too lazy to do that, so he bought an air conditioner. Makes me wonder if our species is too lazy to survive.
In any case, change comes from the bottom up. And this too is a concern. During a recent heat wave, I explained to a neighbor how we cooled our house: we open the skylights and turn on the furnace fan, which pushes cool air up from the basement and hot air out the skylight. We also draw the curtains on the sunny side of the house. When it finally cools off after sunset, we open the windows. And so on. The neighbor (who is not disabled) said he is too lazy to do that, so he bought an air conditioner. Makes me wonder if our species is too lazy to survive.
1
There are many things about Donald Trump that I find personally troubling, if not offensive. But he also has two rare strengths: he has a tendency to see through sham and is not afraid to speak his mind.
The Paris accords are a sham. Even climate activist James Hansen says so. All those "world leaders" signed on because 1. they were afraid to go against this huge tidal wave of alarm that's taken on the trappings of a cult; 2. they knew very well that their commitments were so remote as to make little to no demands during their own terms in office. Paris made everyone who signed on feel good about themselves, but would make little difference as far as warming is concerned, assuming it is even a thing. (It's not.)
Yes, it's getting warmer. Back in the 1940's, 50's, 60's and early 70's, it was getting colder. The trend back then was down. Now it's up. So what? And if it was going down during a time when CO2 emissions were beginning to soar, then how can CO2 possibly be blamed for the current warming trend?
I'm a democrat, a liberal, actually a socialist, who would gladly have voted for Bernie Sanders. I reluctantly voted for Hillary, would never have voted for Trump. But at this point I admire the guy. He refuses to be bullied, he speaks his mind and when he lies he does so transparently, a refreshing change from those in government and the media who artfully cover their lies with layers of hypocrisy.
The Paris accords are a sham. Even climate activist James Hansen says so. All those "world leaders" signed on because 1. they were afraid to go against this huge tidal wave of alarm that's taken on the trappings of a cult; 2. they knew very well that their commitments were so remote as to make little to no demands during their own terms in office. Paris made everyone who signed on feel good about themselves, but would make little difference as far as warming is concerned, assuming it is even a thing. (It's not.)
Yes, it's getting warmer. Back in the 1940's, 50's, 60's and early 70's, it was getting colder. The trend back then was down. Now it's up. So what? And if it was going down during a time when CO2 emissions were beginning to soar, then how can CO2 possibly be blamed for the current warming trend?
I'm a democrat, a liberal, actually a socialist, who would gladly have voted for Bernie Sanders. I reluctantly voted for Hillary, would never have voted for Trump. But at this point I admire the guy. He refuses to be bullied, he speaks his mind and when he lies he does so transparently, a refreshing change from those in government and the media who artfully cover their lies with layers of hypocrisy.
Regardless of his erratic tweets and tantrums, Trump is quite predictable. For the next 3 1/2 years every regulation will be rolled back according to the specifications of the mineral extraction industry. If Trump is impeached then Pence will follow the same suicidal policy, and if Pence is also impeached then Ryan will also do just the same. They are interchangeable, like poison pills in a bottle of medicine.
The Koch brothers sank a fortune into this recent election and their investment is paying off magnificently for them. Amazing, this 'democracy' we have here, where a dozen old men can decide whether or not the planet survives. It seems, being the modern Caesars they are, that they have given us a thumbs-down.
The Koch brothers sank a fortune into this recent election and their investment is paying off magnificently for them. Amazing, this 'democracy' we have here, where a dozen old men can decide whether or not the planet survives. It seems, being the modern Caesars they are, that they have given us a thumbs-down.
1
It would be nice to think that Trump and the people like him could, one day, be held criminally responsible for their actions on climate now. After all, what they are engaging in is violence against the planet and its entire population. They are willfully ignorant and display depraved indifference to life. Of course, this won't happen, but it doesn't change the fact that Trump has both accelerated the American decline and shown the rest of the world exactly how greedy and sociopathic Americans and their leaders can be. The irony here is that, as measures are taken by the rest of the world to deal with climate change, we will leave the US further and further behind. We will also end up subsidizing the US and that is wrong. My own preference is that the rest of the world penalize and sanction US goods and services that gain an economic advantage from using dirty fuels. But I suspect that advantage will not last long.
Our president doesn't work for the American people or the citizens of the world, he works for the Koch brothers for whom efforts to fight climate change are a drain on their pocket books. It's not more complicated than that.
1
Well, you know, it's debatable. On one side of the argument you have over 90% of climatologists on the planet and on the other, you have some extremely wealthy people who make their money from fossil fuel.
How can we possibly know who is telling the truth? Clearly it must fall somewhere in the middle- so lets just wait and see what happens. What have we got to lose?
The stupidity and gullibility of the American people never ceases to astonish and terrify the world.
How can we possibly know who is telling the truth? Clearly it must fall somewhere in the middle- so lets just wait and see what happens. What have we got to lose?
The stupidity and gullibility of the American people never ceases to astonish and terrify the world.
1
The climate reversal fight has been lost. We may have had an impact two decades ago when Al Gore alerted us to the problem. But somehow (oil money?) alternative news dubbed it a librul plot (I still don't understand exactly what the plot was) and the Republican-backed 20-year plan to convince their ignorant followers that ticking off the libruls was all that mattered has worked. The tipping point has passed - the climate scientists' models are already out-of-date, their feedback loops hopelessly behind the reality on the ground. Several island nations are in danger of actually disappearing, maybe within your lifetime. Man's greed and stupidity has brought us here. Maybe the porpoises will do better when they inherit the waterlogged earth.
Mr. Trump is not a climate change denier. He is simply an honest pragmatist in a sea of hypocrites.
The President rightly called out the illusion of the Paris Accord---that it did little to achieve any meaningful change and had zero consequences for nations that did not meet commitments.
Mr. Trump could have easily maintained support for the Accord and done nothing, and none of you would even know the difference. However, Trump made his intentions clear. The US would not suffer economic consequences while the biggest polluters in the world (i.e. China and India) get a free ride for another 15-20 years. He decided the US would not subsidize the economies of other nations while the US bears the brunt of regulations.
For all the complainers (including this Editorial Board) out there, ask not what Trump would FORCE you to do, but what you CHOOSE to do for yourselves:
1. Do you eat meat? Stop. Raising livestock for slaughter contributes to climate change.
2. Do you drive anything bigger than a Kia? Don't.
3. Is your family of 4 living in a house that's larger than 1,500 sq feet?
Downgrade.
4. Do all you liberals in California fly from SFO to LAX? Stop. Drive instead.
5. Do you live 40-50 miles away from your office so you can live in a big house in the suburbs? Move to the city because your daily commute contributes to climate change.
Many here are quick to point fingers at Trump while going about our daily lives doing the exact opposite of what we supposedly stand for.
The President rightly called out the illusion of the Paris Accord---that it did little to achieve any meaningful change and had zero consequences for nations that did not meet commitments.
Mr. Trump could have easily maintained support for the Accord and done nothing, and none of you would even know the difference. However, Trump made his intentions clear. The US would not suffer economic consequences while the biggest polluters in the world (i.e. China and India) get a free ride for another 15-20 years. He decided the US would not subsidize the economies of other nations while the US bears the brunt of regulations.
For all the complainers (including this Editorial Board) out there, ask not what Trump would FORCE you to do, but what you CHOOSE to do for yourselves:
1. Do you eat meat? Stop. Raising livestock for slaughter contributes to climate change.
2. Do you drive anything bigger than a Kia? Don't.
3. Is your family of 4 living in a house that's larger than 1,500 sq feet?
Downgrade.
4. Do all you liberals in California fly from SFO to LAX? Stop. Drive instead.
5. Do you live 40-50 miles away from your office so you can live in a big house in the suburbs? Move to the city because your daily commute contributes to climate change.
Many here are quick to point fingers at Trump while going about our daily lives doing the exact opposite of what we supposedly stand for.
1
Thank you New York Times for this intelligence. The comments which respond are important. Talk of climate change cannot be enough. Keep buzzing & take action. Yes, the fossil fuel problem is acute. Yes, there s a perversity to politics. Also remember Mother Earth is very tired. We, as life we know it, is one small microcosm. Dinosaurs (which were huge) may have been accompanied by men (who may have been almost as huge). What do we really know? Who knows what asteroid may happen by? In the meantime let s pre preoccupied by the present & making contact with others & introspectively with & within ourselves. Can we write about this paradox? Can we strategizes & use theater arts as a prophetic, cautionary, illuminating force? Let s go with new dramatic lit created faster, cheaper & shorter as time may be running out
as fast as people's patience and/or attention span. Let us not have folks who genuflect before tweets but employ critical listening -- not just hearing or listening to media mantras.
as fast as people's patience and/or attention span. Let us not have folks who genuflect before tweets but employ critical listening -- not just hearing or listening to media mantras.
1
The author assumes too much. He wonders what it would take to change Trumps mind. He is assuming that this man does indeed have a mind. I think that this man. in the time that he has been masquerading as a president, has shown that he is incapable of serious mature thought.He is ignorant beyond description, and has no desire to learn. He is single focussed on only one thing, that being destroying every thing Obama stood for. If he and his stooge followers can do just that, it doesn't matter what follows, wether it be the destruction of the planet, millions of people with no health coverage, destroying public eduaction, destruction of national parks, or whatever else this degenerate can do to undermine the previous administration.
How can someone be so ignorant, and convince others that his is the right course ?
How can someone be so ignorant, and convince others that his is the right course ?
The Times had a quiz a day or two ago: what is the most effective way to reduce carbon emissions. Turned out the answer was to make air conditioners more efficient. What about some articles about that?
4
The Paris Accord was very flawed. It was mainly for rich countries to feel good about themselves, to congratulate themselves that they were in theory working on the global climate change problem, even ineffectually. It was window dressing. It was non-palatable to Trump partly because it would involve significant financial transfers, $10 billion total, from the developed world to the developing world, including China, who by now has far surpassed the US in CO2 emissions. It does not make sense, for the US to lose manufacturing jobs to China, and then pay them to held control the emissions that generated from the jobs that the US lost.
The terms were great for China and other developing countries, of course these countries signed on, why on earth would they not? And yet China's emissions have not stopped but have increased.
Trump showed courage to withdraw from what he considered to be a deeply flawed accord. He is the President of the US and is not the world's lackey. The US can and will work to reduce emissions with or without the Accord, & without payments to China!
The terms were great for China and other developing countries, of course these countries signed on, why on earth would they not? And yet China's emissions have not stopped but have increased.
Trump showed courage to withdraw from what he considered to be a deeply flawed accord. He is the President of the US and is not the world's lackey. The US can and will work to reduce emissions with or without the Accord, & without payments to China!
2
Almost everything you wrote here is wrong, but that is probably not the point. Your final statement - that Trump is President of the US, not the world's lackey - says it all. Your words reflect a profoundly myopic way of thinking. Worse, they reflect the kind of narrow and destructive nationalism that is a hallmark of declining powers everywhere. China may emit more GHGs than the US right now, but the US has done far, far more to create the climate change problem than China. China is also doing far, far more than the US to develop new technologies and get ahead on the green technology curve. This is an area in which American selfishness and irresponsibility will ensure that the US gets left behind as the rest of the world moves ahead. For a while, the rest of the world will subsidize the US; eventually, the US will simply be left playing catch-up with everyone else. That is fitting.
1
We the People are responsible for electing Trump and the science denying Republicans.
We ought to elect people who will advocate for tax credits for people to put solar panels on their houses or in their yards and outlaw efforts to stop people from having the opportunity to sell energy back to the utility companies.
Imagine a world if electric cars parked and charged in garages electrified from solar energy.
This would mean jobs for people who manufacture and install the panels. It would mean jobs for people to repair problems.
We need leaders with a forward looking vision, not lying con men such as Trump who want to take us back to a time that was never that great.
We ought to elect people who will advocate for tax credits for people to put solar panels on their houses or in their yards and outlaw efforts to stop people from having the opportunity to sell energy back to the utility companies.
Imagine a world if electric cars parked and charged in garages electrified from solar energy.
This would mean jobs for people who manufacture and install the panels. It would mean jobs for people to repair problems.
We need leaders with a forward looking vision, not lying con men such as Trump who want to take us back to a time that was never that great.
7
Speaking as someone who lives in Maine, maybe Mr. Trump and all his wealthy friends should be banned from eating lobster ever again, or come here and realize you're going to have to go further north than ever before to find them. Susan Collins should invite him to come speak to the lobstermen and the fishermen of New England. The waters of Casco Bay off Portland are warming faster than any other waters in the world, relatively speaking. Put him in a lobsterboat, and take Pruitt and Zinke along, preferably in the fall and winter when the weather can be brutal, and have them haul a few traps. Maybe they'll have a change of mind, or even heart. These hardworking folks doing backbreaking work are having to travel further to fetch the good eats that I'm sure he's consumed plenty of in his lifetime.
The hands-on experience might be convincing. Nothing else so far is.
The hands-on experience might be convincing. Nothing else so far is.
9
Already one third of land vertebrate specieis are in precipitous decline, and even insect populations are collapsing.
This nation under Trump is race to extinction for all.
This nation under Trump is race to extinction for all.
Every year the weather seems to get more extreme. I live in Atlanta and we are living through non-ending heat, humidity and extreme afternoon thunderstorms EVERY day like I've never seen before. I've lived here for 10 years and I've never seen summers like this. It's like living in the Tropics or the Equator. It's very likely the impact of Global Warming. You add more heat to the atmosphere and this is what you get. And it's impacting many lives. With all the heat, people are angrier and grumpier. Traffic is much worse in the afternoons with the rains. And you can't plan anything for fear of the storms. You're constantly wedded to the weather app on your phone.
And this is only the start of it. I shudder to think what things will be like even 50 years from now. We're having effects from Global Warming that Republicans said wouldn't happen for hundreds of years. Yet our do-nothing Republican party continues to see fit to deny Global Warming or call it a Liberal plot so they can continue pocketing money from the fossil fuel companies and be against everything the Democrats are for. Sad times we live in.
And this is only the start of it. I shudder to think what things will be like even 50 years from now. We're having effects from Global Warming that Republicans said wouldn't happen for hundreds of years. Yet our do-nothing Republican party continues to see fit to deny Global Warming or call it a Liberal plot so they can continue pocketing money from the fossil fuel companies and be against everything the Democrats are for. Sad times we live in.
5
If Trump checks whether climate change is real with Putin or his surrogates, he'll get a resounding nyet. Russia's only exports of value are fossil fuels, military hardware, and vodka, so climate science denial is vital for an economy run mostly for the benefit of the kleptocracy.
We're doubly doomed because the Republican party establishment has mostly been subsumed by the Koch brothers whose fortune is largely based on the petrochemical company founded by their father.
We're triply doomed because Trump's base seems to believe the Paris accords and Obama's policies were worthless and only stealing American jobs.
Despite its importance, climate change did not resonate with our electorate in 2016, nor really in any prior national election. It seems we're not much better than frogs who can be boiled alive if the temperature rises slowly enough.
We have to hope sanity will return to our governance starting with the 2018 midterms, even though healthcare will mostly drive the results.
We're doubly doomed because the Republican party establishment has mostly been subsumed by the Koch brothers whose fortune is largely based on the petrochemical company founded by their father.
We're triply doomed because Trump's base seems to believe the Paris accords and Obama's policies were worthless and only stealing American jobs.
Despite its importance, climate change did not resonate with our electorate in 2016, nor really in any prior national election. It seems we're not much better than frogs who can be boiled alive if the temperature rises slowly enough.
We have to hope sanity will return to our governance starting with the 2018 midterms, even though healthcare will mostly drive the results.
13
Many Russians simply believe they will benefit from climate change. They know it is real.
2
In fact, polls show that Americans support the Paris Accord by a ratio of five to one, and even one in two Trump supporters wanted him to stay in it, with less than one in three of his supporters wanting him to get out of it.
So yes, more work needs to be done on this issue in order to mobilize people during election time, but that doesn't simply mean talking to the 15% of Americans who still don't get it, when it comes to the science part of it.
It also means talking to those who never supported Trump but didn't feel "enthusiastic" enough about Hillary to go voting, and as such allowed a minority in this country to take over DC ...
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/01/climate/paris-accord-trump-conservati...
So yes, more work needs to be done on this issue in order to mobilize people during election time, but that doesn't simply mean talking to the 15% of Americans who still don't get it, when it comes to the science part of it.
It also means talking to those who never supported Trump but didn't feel "enthusiastic" enough about Hillary to go voting, and as such allowed a minority in this country to take over DC ...
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/01/climate/paris-accord-trump-conservati...
2
I have seen very little critical analysis of the Paris Accord in the NYT's Op-Ed pages. When looking narrowly at the theory for how the US planned to confront climate change, the theory seemed overly reliant on technological solutions. The implicit promise to this theory seems to be "We can solve this problem without demanding society change its behavior." Can technology save us before irreparable harm is done? How one answers this question seems more built on faith than science.
Some commenters are claiming the technology to reduce CO2 emissions already exists and its implementation is inevitable regardless of the Paris Agreement. As I travel with my family on our summer vacation, I am noticing a massive building of houses across the south. Large neighborhoods are going up outside of Dallas, Houston, Baton Rouge and Mobile. These houses are in the 27-33k sq ft range. What is stopping the savings from efficiency from being squandered by growth?
I am becoming a climate skeptic of a new sort. Given the gravity of the problem, I am skeptical of solutions that promise results while simultaneously expanding the economy and cementing America's role as a global leader. Almost sounds like the diet commercial that claims you can loose weight without giving up your favorite foods.
Paris may have been a starting point for a future solution, but without a change in behavior, it probably was not the solution many claimed.
Some commenters are claiming the technology to reduce CO2 emissions already exists and its implementation is inevitable regardless of the Paris Agreement. As I travel with my family on our summer vacation, I am noticing a massive building of houses across the south. Large neighborhoods are going up outside of Dallas, Houston, Baton Rouge and Mobile. These houses are in the 27-33k sq ft range. What is stopping the savings from efficiency from being squandered by growth?
I am becoming a climate skeptic of a new sort. Given the gravity of the problem, I am skeptical of solutions that promise results while simultaneously expanding the economy and cementing America's role as a global leader. Almost sounds like the diet commercial that claims you can loose weight without giving up your favorite foods.
Paris may have been a starting point for a future solution, but without a change in behavior, it probably was not the solution many claimed.
5
The Paris accord is absolutely critical because it has been proven that IF we don't collectively do what is stipulated in it from now until 2030, then the next decade will have produced so much CO2 that it will no longer be possible to stay below a 2 degree increase in temperatures by 2100. And going above those 2 degrees in less than 300 years creates itself a lot of horrible, irreversible effects.
So yes, it's a very "limited" agreement, in the sense that it's only about the next decade, and only focused on CO2.
That being said, it's the very first time that the entire planet (except for war criminal Assad El Bashar and Nicaragua) succeeded to come together and do something concrete and crucial. ONCE that is possible, you can build on it (as things always go, in politics).
And it's already part of the Paris Accord that all participating nations will soon meet again, to start the negotiations on what has to be done by 2040.
So there's absolutely no reason/excuse to back away from it.
And now is certainly not the time to get discouraged and do nothing, because we simply can't afford to do so. More than ever, we need serious, respectful debates with people who still ignore the science out there, so that we can inform them, and change mentalities and in the end, indeed, as you say, behaviors too. Too much is at stake to do nothing, as citizen
Yes, much more has to be done, but if we wait yet another decade to do so, it is completely certain that it will be too late.
So yes, it's a very "limited" agreement, in the sense that it's only about the next decade, and only focused on CO2.
That being said, it's the very first time that the entire planet (except for war criminal Assad El Bashar and Nicaragua) succeeded to come together and do something concrete and crucial. ONCE that is possible, you can build on it (as things always go, in politics).
And it's already part of the Paris Accord that all participating nations will soon meet again, to start the negotiations on what has to be done by 2040.
So there's absolutely no reason/excuse to back away from it.
And now is certainly not the time to get discouraged and do nothing, because we simply can't afford to do so. More than ever, we need serious, respectful debates with people who still ignore the science out there, so that we can inform them, and change mentalities and in the end, indeed, as you say, behaviors too. Too much is at stake to do nothing, as citizen
Yes, much more has to be done, but if we wait yet another decade to do so, it is completely certain that it will be too late.
4
@ Hayden Texas - There is much you present that should under discussion. A few years ago I stood at the lookout point on Mount Philo in Charlotte, Vermont, just south of Burlington. I looked at the spread of very expensive (to me, not in median price terms in the Burlington area) new homes and wondered how they were being heated and cooled.
Since each could presumably have used various heat pump technologies to heat and cool, that would have been the best choice. But since Ground-source geothermal heat pump systems are invisible (the source borehole(s) are not visible, there was no way to know if any were using this.
A Times reader replied to me a year ago at one of my many heat-pump comments reporting that he and his wife had benefited so much from installing ground-source at their home in Oregon he thought it should be a national requirement.
Not a chance of that but at least people could be told about heat pumps. The Times chooses not to as does the government except at well hidden web sites.
And how do you heat and cool your home? I ask because data on heat pump use are not available.
Only-NeverINSweden.blogspot.com
Dual citizen US SE
Since each could presumably have used various heat pump technologies to heat and cool, that would have been the best choice. But since Ground-source geothermal heat pump systems are invisible (the source borehole(s) are not visible, there was no way to know if any were using this.
A Times reader replied to me a year ago at one of my many heat-pump comments reporting that he and his wife had benefited so much from installing ground-source at their home in Oregon he thought it should be a national requirement.
Not a chance of that but at least people could be told about heat pumps. The Times chooses not to as does the government except at well hidden web sites.
And how do you heat and cool your home? I ask because data on heat pump use are not available.
Only-NeverINSweden.blogspot.com
Dual citizen US SE
2
It is a near certainty that another one trillion metric tons of CO2 will be emitted over just the next 25 years.
1
Thanks for the editorial. It seemed you forgot to mention the efforts of individual federal states, such as California, which, as the 6th largest economy in the world, can indeed contribute to the Paris agreement goals. We also need to turn to alternative leaders on this issue, people such as Jerry Brown and Michael Bloomberg. Our hope lies with them during this very depressing and disappointing time with regard to federal leadership.
19
He thinks there are more jobs in the past than there are in the future. But there is a no-go zone in his head that will not let others, even the country benefit from new policies or those that resemble Obama's.
I am reminded during the Civil War, in his one visit to Charleston, Confederate President Jefferson Davis gave the assembled crowd a choice, between surrender and peace, and ruins. The chanting crowd replied: "Ruins! Ruins!" The tradition of wealth and its status quo--its dangers and waste!--has to be protected above all else, even if the nation abets in putting the planet at risk. With no respect for science or consensus, he thrills in defiance. By his defiance, he wins as the world loses. The issues do not matter. His team calls this bold. Congress ignores it. Businesses trade lives for profits.
Southern proverbs offers these insights: one-eyed mules can't be lead from their blind side and stupid can't be fixed.
I am reminded during the Civil War, in his one visit to Charleston, Confederate President Jefferson Davis gave the assembled crowd a choice, between surrender and peace, and ruins. The chanting crowd replied: "Ruins! Ruins!" The tradition of wealth and its status quo--its dangers and waste!--has to be protected above all else, even if the nation abets in putting the planet at risk. With no respect for science or consensus, he thrills in defiance. By his defiance, he wins as the world loses. The issues do not matter. His team calls this bold. Congress ignores it. Businesses trade lives for profits.
Southern proverbs offers these insights: one-eyed mules can't be lead from their blind side and stupid can't be fixed.
21
Nihilists are nothing more than sad bitter fools who want the whole world to die with them. The US has no self defense from such people.
Nice editorial from the Times. Yet the op ed page saw fit to hire a new conservative columnist from WSJ, whose debut column tried to buttress the climate change deniers. He scolded the majority of scientists who believe the evidence of the destructive effects of fossil fuels, calling them too ideological and closed minded. So from the right wing, Times readers get a full range of opinion.
Now Trump saw fit to hint to Macron -- ‘something could happen’. Gee thanks, Mr. President. Who knows what that means?
We can just hope our Tsar Trump will favor us with some concrete thoughts someday. We await his tweets on the topic.
But really his choice of cabinet appointments tells the real story –we can expect little. Nothing will change their minds, impervious to reality.
We will increasingly pull away from the rest of the modern world.
Now Trump saw fit to hint to Macron -- ‘something could happen’. Gee thanks, Mr. President. Who knows what that means?
We can just hope our Tsar Trump will favor us with some concrete thoughts someday. We await his tweets on the topic.
But really his choice of cabinet appointments tells the real story –we can expect little. Nothing will change their minds, impervious to reality.
We will increasingly pull away from the rest of the modern world.
8
President Trump isn't entirely alone here though, he has one "buddy", or "partner in crime": Assad, Syria's president, who also refused to sign the Paris Accord.
Who would ever have thought that the US, the country with the best universities on earth, could sink this low (metaphorically, as literally it's sinking, but not that fast already)?
The US is responsible for the second biggest CO2 emissions in the world (China being number one here), and even worse, has a carbon footprint per capita that is twice that of China. And yet Trump's argument to back out of the Paris Accord was ... that it would not be "fair" to use US taxpayer money in order to help the poorest nations transition - whereas these are precisely the countries who are already suffering most from the effects of historically high atmospheric CO2 concentrations (400 parts per million, something that didn't happen for at least 4 million years).
His second argument was that the Paris Accord would NOT prevent temperatures to rise above preindustrial levels + 2° by 2100, and as a consequence, didn't mean anything - and was just a way to harm our own economy and boost that of the developing and poor countries.
Is he right about the first part of this argument?
Yes. The Paris Accord ALONE won't allow us to get there, that's why it's only an accord for a little more than a decade (2030), and new accords are needed. But without it, we CERTAINLY won't get there, as irreversible damage will already have been done...
Who would ever have thought that the US, the country with the best universities on earth, could sink this low (metaphorically, as literally it's sinking, but not that fast already)?
The US is responsible for the second biggest CO2 emissions in the world (China being number one here), and even worse, has a carbon footprint per capita that is twice that of China. And yet Trump's argument to back out of the Paris Accord was ... that it would not be "fair" to use US taxpayer money in order to help the poorest nations transition - whereas these are precisely the countries who are already suffering most from the effects of historically high atmospheric CO2 concentrations (400 parts per million, something that didn't happen for at least 4 million years).
His second argument was that the Paris Accord would NOT prevent temperatures to rise above preindustrial levels + 2° by 2100, and as a consequence, didn't mean anything - and was just a way to harm our own economy and boost that of the developing and poor countries.
Is he right about the first part of this argument?
Yes. The Paris Accord ALONE won't allow us to get there, that's why it's only an accord for a little more than a decade (2030), and new accords are needed. But without it, we CERTAINLY won't get there, as irreversible damage will already have been done...
5
Get the USA onboard? The rest of the world can if they wanted to by instituting a 'global warming' tariff on any imported goods from the USA. The tariff would be based on the fossil fuel content of anything exported. US industry would 'get' global warming in a hurry and, to lower the cost of goods sold would get rid of the fossil fuel content.
So, note to the rest of the world - HELP!
So, note to the rest of the world - HELP!
7
If it means doing anything that doesn't benefit him directly, count him out. The rest of us will go right on fighting for what's best for the planet. Cities and states don't need tRump's permission to do the right thing. History will judge him correctly, assuming there will still be humans, in the future, to write it.
6
On the other hand, U.S. withdrawal from the climate change accord may motivate China to step up its efforts on climate change, as part of a more general, long-term strategy of displacing the USA from its position of world leadership. In recent years, China's carbon emissions have grown to twice those of the USA. They have been by far the most important offenders, but this appears to be turning around, and they now get a chance to look like the good guys.
Several of Trump's policies may have the effect of transferring world leadership from the USA to China. For example, Trump is also proposing massive reductions in federal support for science and basic research – the most important area in which the USA has been the undisputed world leader. In contrast, China is stepping up its already substantial investments in science – we'll see where all this goes.
All of this is distressing to friends and allies of the USA – and it must be especially upsetting to Americans who are concerned about the common good and not just with minimizing their own taxes. Luckily the USA has a separation of powers and is also a federal system, so there are opportunities for public-spirited people in states, communities, and companies across the country to organize and act effectively on the environment and other issues. At a minimum, they can move the relevant technologies forward, as has already been happening in several areas.
Several of Trump's policies may have the effect of transferring world leadership from the USA to China. For example, Trump is also proposing massive reductions in federal support for science and basic research – the most important area in which the USA has been the undisputed world leader. In contrast, China is stepping up its already substantial investments in science – we'll see where all this goes.
All of this is distressing to friends and allies of the USA – and it must be especially upsetting to Americans who are concerned about the common good and not just with minimizing their own taxes. Luckily the USA has a separation of powers and is also a federal system, so there are opportunities for public-spirited people in states, communities, and companies across the country to organize and act effectively on the environment and other issues. At a minimum, they can move the relevant technologies forward, as has already been happening in several areas.
2
While I wholeheartedly believe in the science behind climate change, I think it's important that we consider that humans are infallible and our scientists have been wrong many times in the past.
With that being said, the pragmatist in me says that putting aside whether or not climate change is being caused by humans, it makes sense to move to renewable energy anyway - to hedge our bets.
If it turns out that climate change was caused by humanity, we avoided it. If, in 100s of years we determine that it wasn't caused by us, moving to renewable energy has countless other benefits anyway - cleaner air and moving from consuming a finite resource to something infinite being two that spring to mind!
With that being said, the pragmatist in me says that putting aside whether or not climate change is being caused by humans, it makes sense to move to renewable energy anyway - to hedge our bets.
If it turns out that climate change was caused by humanity, we avoided it. If, in 100s of years we determine that it wasn't caused by us, moving to renewable energy has countless other benefits anyway - cleaner air and moving from consuming a finite resource to something infinite being two that spring to mind!
5
1. Yes, humans are fallible, and so is science. And climate science often can only prove hypotheses in terms of degrees of probability, just like medicine for instance. But that doesn't mean that the most rational thing to do is to suppose that what has already been proven today MUST be false/totally uncertain, and can be ignored.
That would be like telling a terminal cancer patient that there's a treatment that has only a 70% probability of curing him, and because that's not a 100% certainty, he better continues without treatment...
2. Accurately measuring atmospheric CO2 concentration today is perfectly possible, and allows us to know with certainty that they are extremely high: 400 ppm. You have to go back more than 4 million years to find concentrations that high. And it has been proven that atmospheric CO2 reflects heat coming from the earth, back to the earth, rather than letting it escape into space.
We also know how much CO2 we produce ourselves: 40 GT a year (2014). To take 4 GT out of the atmosphere, you have to turn the entire US into a big forest, and then wait 50 years for the trees to grow.
So believing that AGW is a hoax is no longer rational at all.
And yet, Trump decided to simply hide this information, as the NYT shows:
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/13/climate/greenhouse-gases-spike-noaa-g...®ion=FixedLeft&pgtype=article
That would be like telling a terminal cancer patient that there's a treatment that has only a 70% probability of curing him, and because that's not a 100% certainty, he better continues without treatment...
2. Accurately measuring atmospheric CO2 concentration today is perfectly possible, and allows us to know with certainty that they are extremely high: 400 ppm. You have to go back more than 4 million years to find concentrations that high. And it has been proven that atmospheric CO2 reflects heat coming from the earth, back to the earth, rather than letting it escape into space.
We also know how much CO2 we produce ourselves: 40 GT a year (2014). To take 4 GT out of the atmosphere, you have to turn the entire US into a big forest, and then wait 50 years for the trees to grow.
So believing that AGW is a hoax is no longer rational at all.
And yet, Trump decided to simply hide this information, as the NYT shows:
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/13/climate/greenhouse-gases-spike-noaa-g...®ion=FixedLeft&pgtype=article
It is my belief that Donald Trump has no convictions other than to exploit the ignorance of others to profit himself.HIs dogged refusal to acknowledge what the vast majority of the world's scientists have concluded is a reflection of the mental state of those who voted Republican in the last presidential election. He is playing to his audience -- his rubes.
They live in the past, their minds frozen back in the world and mindset of the 1920s. They simply do not want it to be 2017, a very different world with a very different set of scientific and social facts to which we too must adjust.
They live in the past, their minds frozen back in the world and mindset of the 1920s. They simply do not want it to be 2017, a very different world with a very different set of scientific and social facts to which we too must adjust.
8
Given his close toxic nexus with the fossils fuel industry, it appears that in his suicidal war on science and climate sanity President Trump would continue ploughing his lonely furrow on the explosive coal and gas minefields until exhausted by the suffocating heat unmindful of the fact that rest of the world with all the market forces and green tech companies had already navigated to the clean energy future. However even amid this inanity and policy inertia that characterises the Trump dispensation, if there is a little spark of hope for America it's from its constituent states, like California, and various local county administrations that have already embarked on the path of carbon free alternative renewable energy sources, ignoring Trump's fossils fuel cry.
6
"Obama pledged to reduce America’s greenhouse gases by 26 to 28 percent by 2025, largely through greater fuel efficiency for cars and light trucks, limits on methane emissions from oil and gas wells, and new rules governing emissions from new and old coal-fired power plants."
A lot of that is going to happen anyway.
Fuel efficiency is a continuing trend, from computer controls of engines, from materials used in cars, and will come from battery tech.
Power plants are moving to sources that reduce emissions because they cost less. That too is a trend that will continue.
Coal is not going to become cheaper than these others. Cars are not going to be made of steel stampings as they were, nor with big V-8's. Those things are done.
Methane emissions are a loss of natural gas that can be sold. They can also be subject to local safety regulation, and would be in many states as pollution and fire hazard.
So Trump might reduce the US contribution from 28%, but it is going to be a significant number despite him.
And remember the global total reduction to get to 2 degrees C is considerably less than the US reduction. Well under 28%, the US would still be among the leading reductions. The US only produces 12% of Global greenhouse gases today.
https://www.carbonbrief.org/paris-2015-tracking-country-climate-pledges
The US would reduce perhaps a third less of that 12%, a global change of perhaps 4 percent.
That still matters, but Trump just can't do as much damage as some fear.
A lot of that is going to happen anyway.
Fuel efficiency is a continuing trend, from computer controls of engines, from materials used in cars, and will come from battery tech.
Power plants are moving to sources that reduce emissions because they cost less. That too is a trend that will continue.
Coal is not going to become cheaper than these others. Cars are not going to be made of steel stampings as they were, nor with big V-8's. Those things are done.
Methane emissions are a loss of natural gas that can be sold. They can also be subject to local safety regulation, and would be in many states as pollution and fire hazard.
So Trump might reduce the US contribution from 28%, but it is going to be a significant number despite him.
And remember the global total reduction to get to 2 degrees C is considerably less than the US reduction. Well under 28%, the US would still be among the leading reductions. The US only produces 12% of Global greenhouse gases today.
https://www.carbonbrief.org/paris-2015-tracking-country-climate-pledges
The US would reduce perhaps a third less of that 12%, a global change of perhaps 4 percent.
That still matters, but Trump just can't do as much damage as some fear.
6
When overwhelming evidence, supporting facts and analysis are dismissed, the methods of science discounted, and experts marginalized as left-wing silo inhabitants, nothing short of a French Revolution 1789 updated and modernized for a full frontal international assault on the Trump Bastille is left. When all other avenues of persuading the small minority of deniers who barricade behind walls of ignorance, privilege and intractability, the rest of us face an uncertain and dangerous climate future. Meanwhile, the Trump chorus to the world who follow the science of climate change remains an old one, “Let them eat cake.”
3
Rank foolishness leaves everyone aghast. The world continues to treat the President and his administration as if they are reasonable, as though there is a glimmer of hope. Soon they'll realize that it's like trying to deal with Kim Jong Un. The main difference is that There's still a lot of vocal opposition in the US - at the moment.
11
The science of global warming is taught in middle school. The kids do experiments and record the results. They see in the lab what happens in our atmosphere. What do conservatives think will happen when these kids begin to vote?
10
Maybe that's why they're trying so hard to undercut science education with 'alternative viewpoints.'
3
A simple question can put a stop to the alternative science nonsense." What evidence, if any, would be sufficient to cause you to drop your skepticism or denial about human causes of climate change?"
Trump will never retreat from his stance on the Paris Accords. To do so would admit a mistake. The Trump does not admit mistakes. They deflect an lie. Unlike the Trumps, newspapers print retractions. To the Trumps are not familiar with the Truth.
7
President Trump was a climate change affirmer before he became a climate change denier.
In the NYT dated 12/6/2009, Trump, along with a coalition of other business leaders, signed an open letter that stated, in part: "Investing in a Clean Energy Economy will drive state-of-the-art technologies that will spur economic growth, create new energy jobs, and increase our energy security, all the while reducing the harmful emissions that our putting our planet at risk."
President Trump with respect to climate change, as with respect to so many other aspects of America's current mis-governance, is the symptom not the disease. The underlying pathology is the GOP legislators' and executives' "conservative" commitments to:
~Preserve outmoded and harmful sources of energy.
~Preserve tried and found wanting trickle down economics.
~Preserve the wealth gap separating their billionaire donors, GOP legislators, president and cabinet members from the rest of us.
~Preserve big pharma's profits.
~Preserve the for profit healthcare industry.
~Preserve the profits and power of the military-industrial complex.
~Preserve their own political power no matter what the costs to the nation.
~Preserve Donald Trump's presidency no matter how inept or corrupt it proves to be.
~Preserve anti-conservation programs and environmental depredation.
~Preserve whatever proves penny wise and dollar foolish.
~Preserve the right to flip-flop on any issue.
~Etc., etc., etc.
In the NYT dated 12/6/2009, Trump, along with a coalition of other business leaders, signed an open letter that stated, in part: "Investing in a Clean Energy Economy will drive state-of-the-art technologies that will spur economic growth, create new energy jobs, and increase our energy security, all the while reducing the harmful emissions that our putting our planet at risk."
President Trump with respect to climate change, as with respect to so many other aspects of America's current mis-governance, is the symptom not the disease. The underlying pathology is the GOP legislators' and executives' "conservative" commitments to:
~Preserve outmoded and harmful sources of energy.
~Preserve tried and found wanting trickle down economics.
~Preserve the wealth gap separating their billionaire donors, GOP legislators, president and cabinet members from the rest of us.
~Preserve big pharma's profits.
~Preserve the for profit healthcare industry.
~Preserve the profits and power of the military-industrial complex.
~Preserve their own political power no matter what the costs to the nation.
~Preserve Donald Trump's presidency no matter how inept or corrupt it proves to be.
~Preserve anti-conservation programs and environmental depredation.
~Preserve whatever proves penny wise and dollar foolish.
~Preserve the right to flip-flop on any issue.
~Etc., etc., etc.
14
The big problem we face is the challenges of the ever changing media we have today. Trump has created this "tough guy" image that he will uphold right or wrong whether it is climate change or healthcare.
3
Trump has revealed himself to be a character of no principles save petty vindictiveness. The entirety of his administration seems motivated towards one objective: executing the opposite of everything President Obama did. He wants to bomb Syria, pull out of TPP and Paris agreements, reverse the carbon restrictions as air pollutants, and bulldoze Utah, among other things. Even his promises to preserve social safety net programs on the stump mean little once in office. He probably doesn't even no it's called the ACA, the Obamacare label put red blinders on him. All because of some dinner party jokes.
This plays into his environmental skepticism as well. Beyond Obama supporting energy reform, he already had his mind made up on energy. Know why? Because some wind turbines were going to be visible from one of his golf clubs. That's likely all it took for him to come to a settled opinion climate change. His view on environmental protection outside of climate change is likely equally nuanced. A single environmental impact survey against a planned golf course probably all it took to solidify his opinion there as well.
This plays into his environmental skepticism as well. Beyond Obama supporting energy reform, he already had his mind made up on energy. Know why? Because some wind turbines were going to be visible from one of his golf clubs. That's likely all it took for him to come to a settled opinion climate change. His view on environmental protection outside of climate change is likely equally nuanced. A single environmental impact survey against a planned golf course probably all it took to solidify his opinion there as well.
12
Okay, Trump is a clown, but America in general is a clown when it comes to the climate. Remember Kyoto? Trump had nothing to do with that. Or the Republican Senate? Can't get any climate legislation past them (and turning it slightly Democrat probably won't even change matters). Or that Paris was watered down to get America onboard (so much for the "leadership" role the NYT keeps touting for America under Obama).
The first step in change is to be honest with yourselves. Americans aren't being honest. They are dumping all the responsibility on Trump, when the responsibility is far more diffuse.
If America didn't have Trump, they would have to invent him.
The first step in change is to be honest with yourselves. Americans aren't being honest. They are dumping all the responsibility on Trump, when the responsibility is far more diffuse.
If America didn't have Trump, they would have to invent him.
36
Americans are exceptional. Haven't you heard?
1
"on environmental issues he has turned the United States into a pariah" I have to disagree here. Trump did not do that, not ny himself anyway. Our fossil fuel-addicted society and the greed of the fossil fuel suppliers and the greed of our elected representatives who ferociously protect that industry have done that.
17
Except some of the gas/energy hogs are apparently finished with denial and are warning their platforms, and in some cases even their stockholders to raise their ceilings re. g.w risk of sea levels going up. Pariah-noia, Trump's old nemesis..."may destroy ye!" (D.Davies-The Kinks)!
Why everyone is so shocked. Suppose Trump been President the last 8 years & Obama won in 2016. What do you think would happen? Obama would systematically reverse every single decision that Trump had made. Trump is going to do the same thing, he's going to try to erase the last 8 years. That's what happens when you lose an election. Did anyone here really think that Trump was going to move to the left? Truthfully Obama bungled the Paris Accords. This agreement was negotiated by his administration to circumvent the Senate’s power to advise and consent on international treaties. The Obama administration argued at the time that because it wasn't a formal treaty, it was not necessary to get Senate ratification. That was a complete lie. The language of the agreement was negotiated by representatives of 195 countries in Paris & adopted by consensus on December 12, 2015. When do 195 countries ever get together informally for anything? The Paris Accords was the very definition of a formal treaty. The law is very clear in this instance. Republican senators have rightfully complained that U.S. participation in the accord sets a bad precedent for the separation of powers within the government. Pres. Obama knew they could never sell this idea to the American public let alone to Congress. So they took a shortcut. Well it blew up their face. You can't ignore the Constitution when it comes to treaties even if it's climate change. The Obama administration should have done this the right way.
10
The Paris Accord is NOT a treaty for the simple reason that there is NO ENFORCEMENT mechanism. Without enforcement, how can it be a treaty? It is simply a statement of voluntary agreement ("accord") and stated goals to reduce global greenhouse emissions.
51
Please. NO ENFORCEMENT mechanism? Treaties have been made & broken for centuries with no enforcement mechanism.The Paris Agreement is a treaty. President Obama, was acutely aware that the accord would struggle to meet the two-thirds threshold required by the Constitution’s Treaty Clause &, engaged in extravagant rhetorical contortions to avoid calling the Paris Agreement what it was. Honestly if the Democrats controlled Congress do you think Obama would have taken this absurd stance? Neither the President nor the Senate, solely, can complete a treaty; they are checks upon each other. This system has worked exceptionally well in America for over 240 years. Obama didn't believe that he could persuade enough legislators to support his plan — even though “the science is settled” on climate change, and “97 percent of scientists agree,” as he liked to say. Accusing the Republican majority of “anti-science” boobery, he signaled his belief that addressing climate change was too important to be left to traditional democratic mechanisms. “We the people,” acting through our representatives, could not be trusted with something so momentous. What the president did was to “depoliticize” the issue, taking the power to adjudicate the issue away from the voters and their representatives and investing it instead in the hands of a small coterie of supposed experts. Policy made by the Congress is accountable to voters; policy made by the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change isn’t.
5
Sorry, Ed, but you are misinformed about the agreement and how it works. Please brush up and come back with facts, not hearsay (in other words, "I hear'd it said on Fox.")
3
From war in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Latin America, to union busting stateside, to the globe in its entirety - the USA will be the last place on earth to defend free markets above all else.
20
Yes, so now we can prove we made the whole world just like Iraq when we "didn't" invade it for 'free markets', aka heat trapping fossil fuels. That Bush excuse must have been a forward chapter to all the phoney self serving lies Bush makes about women and global warming...oh, I forgot, women and children ARE the US free market, as long as we take away population control #1 "free market" of fundamentalist wacko-Jackos everywhere...free willy in heat, the sequel, is more like it (and that's the way the US bloated ball of gas flatulates out of existence)!
These markets are not even honestly "free".
Is the climate warming? Yes. To what extent is this warming caused by human activity? This has not been determined—it may be 95% or it may be much less. Have the climate models been shown to be accurate? No, not at all. Have the predictions made by climatologists been shown to be accurate? No. Some have been wildly inaccurate, and all in the same direction. Is the current warming trend part of a long-term cycle or is it bound to continue? Not known. Can climatologists be trusted to be honest with their facts? Not always. Consider the East Anglia date fudging and the way the warming establishment has behaved like the Catholic Church in Galileo's time. If the alarmists are correct, will the Paris Climate Accord have anything other than a negligible effect on the climate? No, especially since China and India are exempt from its provisions until the year 2030. Do we have anything to fear from a massive concentration of government power that will be necessary to control climate? Yes. Just consider what horrors were inflicted on the world in the past century by all-powerful governments.
11
Bob: You wrote "To what extent is this warming caused by human activity? This has not been determined–it may be 95% or it may be much less."
Nope. Climate scientists are certain to a 95% confidence level that the warming since about 1951 is caused by humans.
From the IPCC 2013 report (which summarizes current climate research):
"The observed warming since 1951 can be attributed to the different natural and anthropogenic drivers and their contributions can now be quantified. Greenhouse gases contributed a global mean surface warming likely to be in the range of 0.5°C to 1.3 °C over the period 1951−2010, with the contributions from other anthropogenic forcings, including the cooling effect of aerosols, likely to be in the range of −0.6°C to 0.1°C."
and
"The contribution from natural forcings is likely to be in the range of −0.1°C to 0.1°C, and from internal variability is likely to be in the range of −0.1°C to 0.1°C."
"We've observed about 0.6°C average global surface warming over the past 60 years. During that time, the IPCC best estimate is that greenhouse gases have caused about 0.9°C warming, which was partially offset by about 0.3°C cooling from human aerosol emissions. During that time, natural external factors had no net influence on global temperatures. For example, solar activity has been flat since 1950."
Supported by Nature Scientific Reports 6, Article number: 21691 (2016)
doi:10.1038/srep21691, led by the European Commission Joint Research Centre.
Nope. Climate scientists are certain to a 95% confidence level that the warming since about 1951 is caused by humans.
From the IPCC 2013 report (which summarizes current climate research):
"The observed warming since 1951 can be attributed to the different natural and anthropogenic drivers and their contributions can now be quantified. Greenhouse gases contributed a global mean surface warming likely to be in the range of 0.5°C to 1.3 °C over the period 1951−2010, with the contributions from other anthropogenic forcings, including the cooling effect of aerosols, likely to be in the range of −0.6°C to 0.1°C."
and
"The contribution from natural forcings is likely to be in the range of −0.1°C to 0.1°C, and from internal variability is likely to be in the range of −0.1°C to 0.1°C."
"We've observed about 0.6°C average global surface warming over the past 60 years. During that time, the IPCC best estimate is that greenhouse gases have caused about 0.9°C warming, which was partially offset by about 0.3°C cooling from human aerosol emissions. During that time, natural external factors had no net influence on global temperatures. For example, solar activity has been flat since 1950."
Supported by Nature Scientific Reports 6, Article number: 21691 (2016)
doi:10.1038/srep21691, led by the European Commission Joint Research Centre.
66
It has been determined. Humans are the cause - models are accurate enough to tell it. End of story.
13
What are you talking about? Where do you get your facts? Based upon the historical data, current metrics including atmospheric CO2 concentrations, and the understanding and modeling of forcing factors to name a few, scientists have a very clear understanding of where our climate is headed and what the consequences of this will be for the earth. Stop trying to obfuscate the matter. We should be doing EVERYTHING we can to mitigate this ongoing disaster.
5
"But shelves hold back land-based glaciers, and when the shelves go, the glaciers tend to follow. In any case, nature has sent a message."
But not one this president will listen to. I swear his desire to stand alone rests less on his willful denial of climate science than his desire to thumb his nose at one of the top priorities of his predecessor, who seems to enrage him more and more each day.
Since Mr. Trump dangled the prospect of perhaps staying in--more to gain worldwide attention while he "pondered" (not an activity he's exactly famous for)--only to surprise really no one, the world seems more unified on fulfilling the goals of the Paris climate treaty.
As are many major US cities, and states as well as burgeoning green technology industries.
So while Mr. Trump stands alone in refusing progress, I still feel as the board writes, that "market forces and the march of technology" will help bring about the cleaner future envisioned in the treaty so grandiosely spurned by the president.
Maybe that will end up being Donald Trump's ultimate climate legacy: instead of making America great again by forcing its return to dirty energy, he's making the world more resolved than ever before to show itself greater than he is.
But not one this president will listen to. I swear his desire to stand alone rests less on his willful denial of climate science than his desire to thumb his nose at one of the top priorities of his predecessor, who seems to enrage him more and more each day.
Since Mr. Trump dangled the prospect of perhaps staying in--more to gain worldwide attention while he "pondered" (not an activity he's exactly famous for)--only to surprise really no one, the world seems more unified on fulfilling the goals of the Paris climate treaty.
As are many major US cities, and states as well as burgeoning green technology industries.
So while Mr. Trump stands alone in refusing progress, I still feel as the board writes, that "market forces and the march of technology" will help bring about the cleaner future envisioned in the treaty so grandiosely spurned by the president.
Maybe that will end up being Donald Trump's ultimate climate legacy: instead of making America great again by forcing its return to dirty energy, he's making the world more resolved than ever before to show itself greater than he is.
41
Trump does only what is best for himself, his family and those whom he perceives to be his allies. He may not be completely ignorant about climate change, he may see some connection between burning of fossil fuels and global warming but it is pesky 'environmental regulations' that he as the Developer in Chief dislikes, as there is some financial cost, some diminishment of the bottom line, by imposing stricter environmental rules.
Note Scott Pruitt's dismantling of new regulations from the Obama era that would have asked the natural gas industry and producers to implement steps to reduce leaks at their source and in their pipelines, with methane gas being even more destructive to the atmosphere than carbon dioxide.
Look at Trump's push to roll back the status and area of national monuments, to make public lands private, all of course to the enrichment of a few individuals and companies which stand to make a rich killing from profits related to drilling, fracking and developing the land.
Trump's mantra has been and always will be personal enrichment, there is never too much profit, never too much money made. He creates gaudy gold tinged marble palaces, and other than manicured golf courses, that is where he lives and breathes. Anyone waiting for enlightenment about protection of the environment coming to Trump will likely have a very long wait.
Note Scott Pruitt's dismantling of new regulations from the Obama era that would have asked the natural gas industry and producers to implement steps to reduce leaks at their source and in their pipelines, with methane gas being even more destructive to the atmosphere than carbon dioxide.
Look at Trump's push to roll back the status and area of national monuments, to make public lands private, all of course to the enrichment of a few individuals and companies which stand to make a rich killing from profits related to drilling, fracking and developing the land.
Trump's mantra has been and always will be personal enrichment, there is never too much profit, never too much money made. He creates gaudy gold tinged marble palaces, and other than manicured golf courses, that is where he lives and breathes. Anyone waiting for enlightenment about protection of the environment coming to Trump will likely have a very long wait.
86
There is no evidence in Mr. Trump's bio that indicates he knows or cares about science. The only facts he is interested in are the numbers at the bottom of balance sheets, and even here he has repeatedly failed.
At his age, he is unlikely to suddenly become curious, or develop an interest in how the physical world behaves.
The other issue is that he could not have become President without help from fossil fuel companies. Murray Coal, Exxon, Gazprom, and Koch have been loyal supporters of Trump and their minions in Congress, with the help of propaganda from Fox News and Sinclair Broadcasting. He owes them, and they know it. The President is old and dumb, but just smart enough to know where his bread is buttered.
The notion that Trump can be persuaded is a waste of time, as Macron and many others have discovered. That means that a more aggressive options will be necessary: treating the United States as an international pariah. We were already in trouble for leading the world in historical CO2 emissions. Now that the science is rock solid, continuing this globally suicidal behavior will soon lead to US product boycotts, and the utter destruction of the American "brand".
Even cutting edge software and tech companies will feel the heat. China and India can already copy and sometimes improve what Silicon Valley tech companies have developed in the last few decades.
Nice going, Donald. You screwed up the whole world.
At his age, he is unlikely to suddenly become curious, or develop an interest in how the physical world behaves.
The other issue is that he could not have become President without help from fossil fuel companies. Murray Coal, Exxon, Gazprom, and Koch have been loyal supporters of Trump and their minions in Congress, with the help of propaganda from Fox News and Sinclair Broadcasting. He owes them, and they know it. The President is old and dumb, but just smart enough to know where his bread is buttered.
The notion that Trump can be persuaded is a waste of time, as Macron and many others have discovered. That means that a more aggressive options will be necessary: treating the United States as an international pariah. We were already in trouble for leading the world in historical CO2 emissions. Now that the science is rock solid, continuing this globally suicidal behavior will soon lead to US product boycotts, and the utter destruction of the American "brand".
Even cutting edge software and tech companies will feel the heat. China and India can already copy and sometimes improve what Silicon Valley tech companies have developed in the last few decades.
Nice going, Donald. You screwed up the whole world.
157
In some sense climate change was and is always about us. While we hope and expect our leaders to lead, in the end we are responsible for our personal actions that affect the climate. Far too many of us want some abstract action by a distant government figure, as long as we can still remodel the kitchen we remolded two years ago and hop on any plane any time we wish.
Getting serious about climate change means getting serious on a personal level. This is the court that the ball is now in. Trump is but a transient player in what ultimately will boil down to the future we ourselves choose. Hang your clothes out to dry, take a bus, wait another year on the remodel and get out and vote.
Getting serious about climate change means getting serious on a personal level. This is the court that the ball is now in. Trump is but a transient player in what ultimately will boil down to the future we ourselves choose. Hang your clothes out to dry, take a bus, wait another year on the remodel and get out and vote.
32
Yes, we should get personal about climate change. Unfortunately, that will not be nearly enough to do what must be done.
The Republican Party has done a wonderful job of demonizing government, persuading a large portion of the American public that there isn't anything that government does that corporations or charities or individuals couldn't do better.
The only problem with this meme, which has been used to gain support for privatizing everything from public schools to prisons to Social Security, is that it's nonsense.
There are a great many things that we can only get done or that we can best get done through government action, and addressing climate change is one of them.
Only through government can we organize the comprehensive programs needed to reduce greenhouse gases enough to be efective in limiting clinate change and to do what must be done to address the many problems created by climate change.
One of reasons that the Republicans keep pushing denial of climate change is that admitting that it is happening and must be dealt with necessitates admitting that government is useful, and that paying taxes is necessary. It even means supporting government action. And if they do that, the American people might just see their demonization of government as the nonsense that it really is.
The Republican Party has done a wonderful job of demonizing government, persuading a large portion of the American public that there isn't anything that government does that corporations or charities or individuals couldn't do better.
The only problem with this meme, which has been used to gain support for privatizing everything from public schools to prisons to Social Security, is that it's nonsense.
There are a great many things that we can only get done or that we can best get done through government action, and addressing climate change is one of them.
Only through government can we organize the comprehensive programs needed to reduce greenhouse gases enough to be efective in limiting clinate change and to do what must be done to address the many problems created by climate change.
One of reasons that the Republicans keep pushing denial of climate change is that admitting that it is happening and must be dealt with necessitates admitting that government is useful, and that paying taxes is necessary. It even means supporting government action. And if they do that, the American people might just see their demonization of government as the nonsense that it really is.
19
Seriously? Personal actions can make a big difference and, in the end, are what we will all need to do, but your examples of remodeling a kitchen every two years or hopping on a plane whenever we wish are nonsense. The vast majority of the world's population don't do any of those things. (In fact, given how disruptive kitchen remodeling is, I doubt anyone remodels that often.)
But we need leadership to make those changes happen. We need campaigns to convince people of what they need to do and, in some instances, information on how to make changes. We need regulations that make it possible to buy more efficient appliances and motor vehicles. We need to fund research to come up with alternatives and to increase efficiency. We need large-scale funding to support many of the necessary changes.
But we need leadership to make those changes happen. We need campaigns to convince people of what they need to do and, in some instances, information on how to make changes. We need regulations that make it possible to buy more efficient appliances and motor vehicles. We need to fund research to come up with alternatives and to increase efficiency. We need large-scale funding to support many of the necessary changes.
100% with you Istvan. It infuriates me that so many people--starting with the commenters here--sanctimoniously claim that climate change is a massive problem that SOMEONE should do SOMETHING about. As long as it is not them.
1
Science shows that 'global warming' is a hoax:
-Glaciers were Already Retreating Before 1900
-Ice ages have been coming and going for eons.
-The last 20 years have shown zero warming.
-Man produces less than 1/2 of 1 percent of C02 on the planet.
-It was warmer in the 15th century than it is now.
-The greatest warming in the 20th century was between 1935 and 1950.
-Glaciers were Already Retreating Before 1900
-Ice ages have been coming and going for eons.
-The last 20 years have shown zero warming.
-Man produces less than 1/2 of 1 percent of C02 on the planet.
-It was warmer in the 15th century than it is now.
-The greatest warming in the 20th century was between 1935 and 1950.
3
Your facts are selected and distorted; your thesis is false.
67
If you know so much, tell us about the difference between human-produced carbon emissions and those present in the atmosphere prior to the industrial revolution. Let's talk about isotopes, shall we? Like the difference in isotopic composition of carbon produced by natural sources (plants, etc) and that produced by the combustion of fossil fuels. And how we know this ... how these isotopes are recorded in tree rings and ice cores ... and how the concentrations of carbon rose precipitously around 1850, once the effects of the industrial revolution began to impact the atmosphere. As for the 15th century and its climate, that's a debunked theory (disproved in 2004) based on faulty proxy data (in other words, we have no temperature readings for that period, since thermometers did not exist, so data has to be inferred from other sources) ... your stats about human-produced carbon are also specious. And the assertion about warming between 1930 and 1950 was promoted by the fossil fuel industry. It has no basis in scientific research or fact.
Check this site if you want to learn a few things from the scientific community, instead of from hoax-mongers like The Heartland Institute or the fossil fuel industry. It should keep you busy for a while. Maybe you'll come back equipped with new knowledge and carry on an intelligent discussion instead of spewing silliness:
http://www.realclimate.org
Check this site if you want to learn a few things from the scientific community, instead of from hoax-mongers like The Heartland Institute or the fossil fuel industry. It should keep you busy for a while. Maybe you'll come back equipped with new knowledge and carry on an intelligent discussion instead of spewing silliness:
http://www.realclimate.org
64
Here's the deal Orwell. You can't pick and choose science. Either you believe in the scientific method or you do not. If you think you know better than climate scientist and want to dismiss them, then you logically have to dismiss medical scientist and everything science. So stop going to your physician, destroy your cell phone, terminate your electrical service, etc. Would you dismiss 97 out of 100 physicians who are adamant that a certain treatment is the only one that will save a loved ones life? Of course not. You shouldn't similarly dismiss the climate scientists.
24
I am surprised over and over again that this man was "elected" President. I am not surprised at all that he cannot stand in accordance with other nations in support of science. Trump does not "do" facts. Science? What is that. It's all about him and his fantasy.
63
Trump probably has shares in fossil fuels and power utilities.
12
He does. He also has stock in defense industries (he made quite a bit of money on that missile attack on Syria a few months back). He also has stock in pipeline construction companies ...
8
We keep pretending that Trump, because he is the duly-elected president, will take actions that are rational. We should stop this pretense. Here is the first hint of why he denies climate change:
"... there is zero chance that he would reaffirm President Barack Obama’s commitment to make meaningful reductions in America’s greenhouse gas emissions, or seek to re-establish the leadership role that Mr. Obama occupied and that Mr. Trump has now abdicated."
The Times recently ran an article about a meeting at which President Obama told some roast-level jokes about Trump, who was in the audience. You could see Trump's head about to explode. The destruction of all of Obama's policies and programs is the payback for dissing the Donald. Somebody prove me wrong.
"... there is zero chance that he would reaffirm President Barack Obama’s commitment to make meaningful reductions in America’s greenhouse gas emissions, or seek to re-establish the leadership role that Mr. Obama occupied and that Mr. Trump has now abdicated."
The Times recently ran an article about a meeting at which President Obama told some roast-level jokes about Trump, who was in the audience. You could see Trump's head about to explode. The destruction of all of Obama's policies and programs is the payback for dissing the Donald. Somebody prove me wrong.
19
The answer to why Donald Trump withdrew from the Paris Climate Accord is Russia and oil, oil, oil. His ties to Russia imply he owes them "bigly" -- so he has to make good on what he's promised; withdraw the U.S. from the Accord, lift U.S. sanctions against Russia (which he first attempted in January and most recently just last week), reduce government support, cut, or underfund ALL alternative energy development and capture efforts, and make sure the price of oil goes up, up, up. He has about a billion+ reasons to make good on these promises including what he personally stands to gain once the U.S. lifts sanctions and Russia can proceed with its Exxon-Mobile backed deal to exploit the $500 billion Arctic fields. He's also got lots of help to lean on people to come around. https://newrepublic.com/article/143586/trumps-russian-laundromat-trump-t...
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/para/russian-organized-crim...
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/para/russian-organized-crim...
42
Thanks for the qualification that this is his policy and not the country's where polls show both solid individual and corporate support for the Paris agreement.
Ironically, as his negative numbers surge across both the country and the world, there seems to be a strong Trump contrarian movement emerging. He's galvanizing people and countries all right, but not in the way he'd hoped.
We can only hope it continues. His behavior leaves no doubt that it will.
Ironically, as his negative numbers surge across both the country and the world, there seems to be a strong Trump contrarian movement emerging. He's galvanizing people and countries all right, but not in the way he'd hoped.
We can only hope it continues. His behavior leaves no doubt that it will.
32
The only poll that counted was the poll that elected Trump president. His views on climate change were well known and those who voted for him would not have done so if they were among the true believers. The strong support for Trump, despite all the negative publicity surrounding him (far more damaging than Hillary's emails, by the way) reflects the feelings of ordinary people all over the world who are beginning to wake up to the fact that the "fight against global warming" will be paid for through their deprivation and suffering. Trump's election is only the beginning of a huge backlash, as more and more people realize what's going to be expected of them.
3
This is nonsense. And nearly 70 percent of Americans understand that climate change is real, and human-caused, and want to do something about it. We could create millions of high-paying jobs in short order by embracing a green economy. If you don't believe it, look at China. They are the world's largest producer of solar energy. This past month, 40 percent of California's electricity was produced by renewables (solar and wind). If we don't get on board and get moving, we are going to be beaten and bypassed by China, India and Europe, but not only that, we will be drowning in our own filth as we continue to pollute the air and water, acidify the oceans and destroy the food chain ... it's already happening. It's unthinkable, but it's happening ...
Victor, I may be mistaken, but you meant the fight *to continue* (not against) global warming" will be paid by "ordinary people all over the world through their deprivation and suffering," yes?
We put too much weight on government action, ie having government in some way dampen the supply and consumption of fossil fuels. What about the demand side? If enough of us voluntarily agreed to cut our energy consumption by 10% we could get to Paris without Trump. Cutting 10% would not be that hard if we try. Easy actually.
15
Lets remember that Trump is a real estate tycoon with much to lose. He's protecting the real estate owners whose homes and land will be under water in just a few decades. Much is at stake from the insurance industry billions to the homes of many. It's easier from Trump to deny this and lead the masses to follow him as he sticks his head in the ground to hide from reality.
5
Not only do elections have consequences, they also reveal the priorities of the electorate. Candidate Trump was very clear about his thoughts re: climate change hysteria and the Paris Agreement. The voters who elected him President knew he would seek to withdraw the US from the Paris Agreement. The reality is that the American public does not share your concern about the US being a 'climate change loner' and, in fact, signaled in November that they want the US to go it alone.
6
Correction: A numerical minority of US voters are not concerned about climate change. A majority of voters *are* concerned.
176
Trump voters were in the minority by 3,000,000 votes!
29
Wrong. Trump may have won the electoral vote, but he certainly lost the popular vote, and those voters do not support his policies. When someone is elected with 63 million votes, but nearly 75 million voted for someone else (and those others represented positions that support doing something about climate change) then you have to conclude that this president's policies run counter to what the majority of the people really wanted in their president. He is only in office because the electoral college subverted the will of the majority, allowing those with retrograde and ignorant views of the world take the controls.
17
I believe our not my president Trump's position on climate change is purely the result of the influence of Steve Bannon.
Trump doesn't know enough about anything to hold a position on global warming, either pro or con. Bannon, on the other hand, views global warming as some kind of left wing conspiracy put in place to enslave the working man. (I'm sure he isn't too concerned with working women). Bannon engineered Trump's way to power by harnessing this pro coal, supposed pro working man, anti-environmental policy. All this green energy stuff is supposed to be taking jobs away from the real Americans. Consequently, Trump has a vested interest in maintaining his anti-science policy. Add to this, the general disdain and ignorance of science held by most of his followers.
Otherwise, why would Trump be so anti-science? Why would a real estate developer hate science? Why would he even care? He just wants to close the deal and get paid for putting his name on buildings and golf courses.
This is why no scientific argument can ever change Trump's position on global warming. He never had a position. He only had a strategy to get elected. Steve Bannon won and the world lost. An unelected propagandist is instrumental in ruining the planet. We are living a real life 007 movie. Where is the secret agent that will save the world? I think he may be imprisoned in a Senatorial committee by Mitch McConnell, another arch villain.
Trump doesn't know enough about anything to hold a position on global warming, either pro or con. Bannon, on the other hand, views global warming as some kind of left wing conspiracy put in place to enslave the working man. (I'm sure he isn't too concerned with working women). Bannon engineered Trump's way to power by harnessing this pro coal, supposed pro working man, anti-environmental policy. All this green energy stuff is supposed to be taking jobs away from the real Americans. Consequently, Trump has a vested interest in maintaining his anti-science policy. Add to this, the general disdain and ignorance of science held by most of his followers.
Otherwise, why would Trump be so anti-science? Why would a real estate developer hate science? Why would he even care? He just wants to close the deal and get paid for putting his name on buildings and golf courses.
This is why no scientific argument can ever change Trump's position on global warming. He never had a position. He only had a strategy to get elected. Steve Bannon won and the world lost. An unelected propagandist is instrumental in ruining the planet. We are living a real life 007 movie. Where is the secret agent that will save the world? I think he may be imprisoned in a Senatorial committee by Mitch McConnell, another arch villain.
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'Why would a real estate developer hate science?'
Well, golf courses are environmental nightmares and for much of Trump's career, green buildings were more expensive to build.
If he hasn't figured out a way to cheat people with green energy, then he isn't interested.
Trump: Grift not Green.
Well, golf courses are environmental nightmares and for much of Trump's career, green buildings were more expensive to build.
If he hasn't figured out a way to cheat people with green energy, then he isn't interested.
Trump: Grift not Green.
2
Trump and Bannon originally hit it off because they held a lot of the same views about things. Trump may be stupid, but that's exactly why he has a lot of inaccurate ideas about climate change and other issues. Certainly, having Bannon in the White House doesn't help, but Trump had already decided climate change was a hoax by 2010 (see http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2016/12/trump-climate-timeline/) but he didn't even meet Bannon until 2011.
3
Trump knows that climate change is real because he's been trying to build walls to hold back the sea threatening his golf courses!
"The New York billionaire is applying for permission to erect a coastal protection works to prevent erosion at his seaside golf resort, Trump International Golf Links & Hotel Ireland, in County Clare.
A permit application for the wall, filed by Trump International Golf Links Ireland and reviewed by POLITICO, explicitly cites global warming and its consequences — increased erosion due to rising sea levels and extreme weather this century — as a chief justification for building the structure."
http://www.politico.com/story/2016/05/donald-trump-climate-change-golf-c...
"The New York billionaire is applying for permission to erect a coastal protection works to prevent erosion at his seaside golf resort, Trump International Golf Links & Hotel Ireland, in County Clare.
A permit application for the wall, filed by Trump International Golf Links Ireland and reviewed by POLITICO, explicitly cites global warming and its consequences — increased erosion due to rising sea levels and extreme weather this century — as a chief justification for building the structure."
http://www.politico.com/story/2016/05/donald-trump-climate-change-golf-c...
2
"... someday Mr. Trump will awaken to the fact that the leaders of the world, who again and again have demonstratively turned their backs on him..."
Trump was quite awake when he appointed Scott Pruitt to the EPA and when he decided to withdraw from the Paris treaty. So it is too much to hope that he will awaken and see the error of his ways.
The best that can be hoped is that the American electorate will awaken to the mess that is at hand and strip the GOP of its majority in Congress. Then perhaps four years hence strip the GOP of the White House.
Trump was quite awake when he appointed Scott Pruitt to the EPA and when he decided to withdraw from the Paris treaty. So it is too much to hope that he will awaken and see the error of his ways.
The best that can be hoped is that the American electorate will awaken to the mess that is at hand and strip the GOP of its majority in Congress. Then perhaps four years hence strip the GOP of the White House.
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Bannon makes these decisions; Bannon is Trumps brain.
1
The Times had an article yesterday regarding the #1 problem regarding CO2 - the demand for air conditioning by a few billion people who don't have it but want it. And their governments a will do anything possible to provide the electricity.
Sorry, but there is nothing Donald Trump or any American can do to stop it.
Sorry, but there is nothing Donald Trump or any American can do to stop it.
5
Don't resent people who will need AC for health as well as comfort. AC will be a necessity for productivity and for the health of the elderly. Directly solar powered AC will come down in cost, but it will not be cheap. Hopefully, we can gently help those who think climate change is too expensive to address understand that their person costs will be much higher than any perceived immediate savings.
2
You seem to have missed the whole point of that article. Here, let's repeat it:
"But fixing how we cool ourselves may also help fix the climate. New research from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California indicates that adding improved efficiency in refrigeration and phasing out fluorinated gases used for cooling, as mandated by international agreement, could eliminate a full degree Celsius of warming by 2100."
So, contrary to your apology for Donald Trump, there is a lot he could do. Perhaps you should try reading the article again: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/07/13/climate/climate-change-ma....
"But fixing how we cool ourselves may also help fix the climate. New research from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California indicates that adding improved efficiency in refrigeration and phasing out fluorinated gases used for cooling, as mandated by international agreement, could eliminate a full degree Celsius of warming by 2100."
So, contrary to your apology for Donald Trump, there is a lot he could do. Perhaps you should try reading the article again: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/07/13/climate/climate-change-ma....
4
Maybe the four years or less of Trump's only term will be repairable.
11
President Trump cannot turn back the clock on climate change advances alone. He has to have help. Scott Pruitt at EPA and Ryan Zinke at Interior are aiding and abetting, but still many more players are needed, who are they?
CA, NY, MA, VT, RI, HI, WA, OR, VA and CT have all signed onto an alliance to meet the Paris Climate Agreement. So we're still missing "40 states". Then there's the "Automobile Industry", why can't they ban together and just design more fuel efficient vehicles. There's no law against that. Then there's the "Electric Utilities". Why can't they just build more renewable energy plants and replace the coal burners. And the state Public Utility Commissions, they can make demands on the Utilities. And I'm sure there are a host of others. So what to do?
Well if you could get the remaining States and these two major industries to adhere to the Paris Agreement, you cancel out Trump. Can it be done? Don't know the answer, but it sure would be worth a try if the media started identifying the big polluters and highlight them in an ongoing media blitz.
CA, NY, MA, VT, RI, HI, WA, OR, VA and CT have all signed onto an alliance to meet the Paris Climate Agreement. So we're still missing "40 states". Then there's the "Automobile Industry", why can't they ban together and just design more fuel efficient vehicles. There's no law against that. Then there's the "Electric Utilities". Why can't they just build more renewable energy plants and replace the coal burners. And the state Public Utility Commissions, they can make demands on the Utilities. And I'm sure there are a host of others. So what to do?
Well if you could get the remaining States and these two major industries to adhere to the Paris Agreement, you cancel out Trump. Can it be done? Don't know the answer, but it sure would be worth a try if the media started identifying the big polluters and highlight them in an ongoing media blitz.
209
Ahh - the automobile industry. Thank your for raising the question.
Look at the TV ads. There are a few in the "explore the world on 4 wheels" category, but most are in the "reproduce humanity in your image on 4 wheels" category. It's all about reproduction at whatever cost. I only say this because I'm gay, and have never experienced that unsustainable instinct.
That said, I am so thankful to have a partner who lets me help raise his children and grandchildren to know better.
Look at the TV ads. There are a few in the "explore the world on 4 wheels" category, but most are in the "reproduce humanity in your image on 4 wheels" category. It's all about reproduction at whatever cost. I only say this because I'm gay, and have never experienced that unsustainable instinct.
That said, I am so thankful to have a partner who lets me help raise his children and grandchildren to know better.
Auto makers - absent subsidies and government mandates - build the cars that people want. With $2 gas - or close to it in many states - most people don't care much about mileage. If we want to incent people to conserve, we should raise the gas tax bigly, but neither party has the courage for that, so they Mickey Mouse around with CAFE standards which are easily gamed. Obama's CAFE standards were unattainable, but sounded good. Raising average mileage from 15 to 20 mpg saves a lot more fuel than pushing a small subset of vehicles from 40 to 55 mpg.
Donald Trump cannot disappoint the Know Nothing caucus that put him in office based on the all-American belief that 'my ignorance and spite is just as good as your knowledge and goodwill'.
The 'drill baby, drill' crowd and Trump won't accept reality until that Delaware-sized iceberg slices the Trump Titanic in half and sinks it......and even then, they'll blame it on a scapegoat.
It's extremely difficult to fix willful blindness and tribal stupidity.
Fortunately, the rest of the world -- and many American states, cities and businesses -- will move forward with alternative energy without Trump's Know Nothing caucus.
We shall overcome our partly collapsed national IQ and our Denialist-In-Chief.
The 'drill baby, drill' crowd and Trump won't accept reality until that Delaware-sized iceberg slices the Trump Titanic in half and sinks it......and even then, they'll blame it on a scapegoat.
It's extremely difficult to fix willful blindness and tribal stupidity.
Fortunately, the rest of the world -- and many American states, cities and businesses -- will move forward with alternative energy without Trump's Know Nothing caucus.
We shall overcome our partly collapsed national IQ and our Denialist-In-Chief.
406
What would change Trump's mind? Tell him that Obama realized he had made a terrible mistake by agreeing to be part of the Paris Accord, and that he actually thinks it is a wonderful thing to withdraw from it now. Since apparently Trump's sole mission is to do the opposite of everything Obama did or believed in doing.
305
At this point, it's not an exaggeration to say that's his modus operandi. I'm convinced it plays a large part in every decision he makes.
Yes, Shawn's Mom, this may have a chance, by advising Trump that Obama fooled him into his rejection of the Paris Accord to set him up to make a fool of himself on display for the whole world to see.
Obama's manipulation of Trump has cleverly got even for the past eight years of Trumps false accusations,
He deliberately set him up to become the worlds pariah.
Obama knew Trump could never figure that out.
Obama's manipulation of Trump has cleverly got even for the past eight years of Trumps false accusations,
He deliberately set him up to become the worlds pariah.
Obama knew Trump could never figure that out.
President Trump has effectively taken the executive branch of government and seceded from most of the rest of the United States. It's up to the rest of us--the States, the citizens, and (importantly, too) the corporations--to uphold the Paris climate accord as best we can. America can still rise to the defense of the future. The energy, imagination, and will of this country can still make a difference to the world and we must see that it does.
272
Macron and Trudeau are two wonderful young political leaders. They are smart, and they are superb diplomats. Both have done an excellent job of winning the confidence of Trump.
Merci to Macron for getting Trump to reconsider even a tad whether this beautiful, fragile world climate might be worth helping.
Trudeau, as leader of our northern neighbor and exceptionally beautiful Canada, would be a perfect person to reinforce Macron's lobbying.
If Trudeau appeals to the importance economically of protecting the resources of North America, he just might nudge Trump along more.
Merci to Macron for getting Trump to reconsider even a tad whether this beautiful, fragile world climate might be worth helping.
Trudeau, as leader of our northern neighbor and exceptionally beautiful Canada, would be a perfect person to reinforce Macron's lobbying.
If Trudeau appeals to the importance economically of protecting the resources of North America, he just might nudge Trump along more.
70
What would change trump's mind? Nothing, unless it affects him personally; like Mar-a-Lago being flooded.
133
and even then taxpayers would somehow foot the bill - so that would not help either
20
Which it will be!
But then he would just sign an executive order to lavish federal funds on saving Mar-a-Lago. Nothing else.
2
Time grows short.
An acceleration may be imminent in the Arctic. Once initiated, it would be unstoppable. The mathematics are beyond the understanding of poorly-educated politicians.
An acceleration may be imminent in the Arctic. Once initiated, it would be unstoppable. The mathematics are beyond the understanding of poorly-educated politicians.
347
The timing may be shorter than even the scientists think. There are vast quantities of methane in the Russian, Canadian and Alaskan tundra. Siberia had a warm summer last year and about 7000 bulges were observed where the methane had expanded underground pushing up the ground. A few of these bulges had burst releasing the trapped gas.
The methane will increase temperatures forcing more releases in what could be an uncontrollable feedback.
The methane will increase temperatures forcing more releases in what could be an uncontrollable feedback.
4
A Climate Change loner our POTUS
Due to Greed and dim wits you would notice,
His Repub kowtowers
Also disavowers
Support actions that all ill bode us.
Due to Greed and dim wits you would notice,
His Repub kowtowers
Also disavowers
Support actions that all ill bode us.
114
Thank you! As always, spot on ...
After 36 years of climate action delay and tipping point deadlines, most deniers now are fellow progressives and the price we will all pay is in our children's history books for eagerly issuing our CO2 death threats to billions of innocent children and all life on earth.
Even Bush didn't fear monger as much as we did.
Climate change exaggeration was our Iraq War.
Even Bush didn't fear monger as much as we did.
Climate change exaggeration was our Iraq War.
1