American Morning
Al Gore answers your climate change questions
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/12/08/gore.gi.art.jpg caption="Former Vice President Al Gore answers your climate change questions on American Morning Wednesday."]
By John Roberts, CNN
The intersection of the Copenhagen Climate Summit and the e-mail controversy colloquially known as “Climate-Gate” has cast new suspicion on what many people had taken to be decided science.
How much of an impact it will be remains to be seen. Professor Peter Liss, who has taken over as interim director of the prestigious Climatic Research Unit, says it is bound to have some impact, particularly among nations who are looking for reasons to resist the call for new curbs on greenhouse gases.
Supporters of anthropogenic global warming will no doubt get a boost from Nobel Laureate Al Gore, who will be attending the conference. Gore’s visit coincides with the release of his new book, “Our Choice,” in which he lays out in simple, but lengthy detail the green technologies he believes can reshape America and the world.
While Gore has legions of supporters, he also has his fair share of critics, who charge that the book is “emotionally charged propaganda” and that Gore – the venture capitalist – stands to profit handsomely from the very technology and policy he promotes.
The former vice president joins us tomorrow in the 7am hour of American Morning, and we’d like to throw open the discussion to you. What would you like to ask him about global warming, the environment and green technology?
Post your question below, call our show hotline at 1-877-MY-AM-FIX, or send us an iReport.
We’d really appreciate you being part of the discussion.
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Mr Gore. In your opinion, why are there no mainstream, accessible forums and debates, with opposing viewpoints for the average person in the United States to listen to, to make up their own minds about climate change?
America, do what you do best, kill the issue until a catastrophe happens.It must happen in the USA since its the only place where real life seem to exists "apparently" for action to happen. we treat the rest of the world likewe own the skies and the oceans.
We have to change our ways, global warming is real and its time to reduce our excessive ways that pollute the world beyond believe.
Albert, if global warming is real, as you claim, then don't you think we need to act fast and invest billions of dollars into research that could stop volcanoes from errupting before we all suffer the irreverable consequences of climate change? After all, volcanoes emit vast quantities of CO2 and SO2 into the atmosphere. Yes, Albert, I'm making fun of you.
Climate change aside do feel feel you and other politicians, such as Obama, would fit in better in a socialist utopian hell hole such as Cuba or Bolivia better than a pre-progressive era America based on personal liberty?
OK - I read most of the comments regarding scientists who oppose the IPCC report. I suggest that these idividuals look to The NSA or NASA for validation. There is very good science, I just think there are a large number of people who will find any excuse to start an arguement. Perhaps we could all get together with them at the edge of the flat world and have a tea party.
A democracy such as ours will not survive without men who put principle before self-interest. Ancient Athens did not when its leaders became corrupt. The United States still produces some men of principle – such as Al Gore, Barrack Obama and Warren Buffet. Mr. Gore is a great man and servant of our people. It is clear that our economy can benefit greatly if it puts a new energy policy in place that would reduce emissions and create many new jobs and much wealth. My question to Mr. Gore is how can we overcome the vested interests that have long striven to marginalize the climate and energy crises ?
The figures said it all.
Who has scintific data to show me how much the sea level grew in the last decade? probably couple of inches if any.
So all of this fuss is a big disinformation that only benefit the pockets of a minority. The world will not be destroy it by men. The only one that has that power to do it is the one who created it.
Please tell us what % of CO2 is caused by human activity relative to other sources, such as cow flutus and other natural causes.
Please tell us why you call Republicans 'fear mongers' when you and your ilk are clearly using the most extreme fear mongering to tell us the 'world is coming to an end' if we dont fund you, your fellow Global Alarmists, and your 'Green' companies to tax us and reduce our productivity and lifestyles.
Tell us why the Global Alarmists like you changed the rhetoric from Global Warming to Climate Change when it was shown that the world temps are not going up the last 10 years.
Tell us how you exactly invented the internet, and why you claimed you did.
Tell us exactly why the American people dont support your cap and tax proposals in recent polls. How are you swallowing that?
Mr. Gore,
Even with the latest news about poor scientific practices, global warming, demands on water and deforestation of the planet is still very real. How can we (the citizens of the planet) express to the skeptics who have historical amnesia that the glaciers are melting, that sea levels are raising and that desertification is happening. Not to mention the potential problems with water due to misuse of the fossil aquifers?
The common citizen can’t hop on a plane and fly to these places and they apparently don’t trust photos. How do we address this?
Thank you
How did we end up with oil in the Arctic and all the oil in the tar sands. It is my understanding that oil is created from huge amounts of tropical vegitation. This could not have grown in the frozen north RIGHT!
Mr. Gore,
When will you release an update to your book / movie An Inconvenient Truth? Many of your claims have been proven wrong. Does it bother you that you have mislead people about the underlying facts?
Why will you not debate "Climate Change" with Lord Monckton? He has called you out countless times to debate you. I'm sure you know who he is. If you believe that the science is in, all scientists agree with you, why not debate him if you have all the facts. Do it live on Larry King with him.
Mr. Gore – How do we as a nation overcome the ignorance of those who claim global warming is a hoax? The vast majority of people outside the US agree that global warming is happening and is a direct result of industrialization. Unless we educate and convince those believe global warming is not happening; it could in fact be beginning of the end for us all! Our arrogance as a people and as a nation will be our demise.
Mr. Gore, if man made global warming is real, as you suggest, then why won't you debate anyone on it? Are you afraid of being exposed as a fraud?
If the global warming science is settled, as you claim, then why have the climate models incorrectly predicted global temperatures to date and how do you account for the 32,000+ scientist (including myself) who have a signed a petition stating that man made global warming is erroneous?
Why do you and every other politician (dems and repubs both) continue to lie to the American people?
Some estimates say adding the effect of atmospheric moisture back into the calculations for global warming (numbers normally removed) reduces the apparent impact of human activity to a very small (negligible?) amount.
Also, if human activity is responsible for global warming on earth, what is causing it on Mars? Hidden outposts? Martians?
Mr. Gore, if climate change studies is true science, then why are so many scientists not open to discussion, differences of interpretation, complicated viewpoints of true cause & effect, and not willing to share data and experimentation methods? Scientific Method is based on repeatable, reproducable, and verifyable experiments done by multiple parties. Cause and Effect issues is based on analysis and deduction of those. Not following Scientific Method is the very thing that undermines climate change studies.
How the majority of the people who have submitted questions can continue to deny the FACT that is global warming and attack Mr. Gore and the overwhelming majority of scientists who say that climate change is an eminent and real danger is simply mind-blowing and is incredibly scary attack against rational thought in today's world.
In particular, Mr. "stevor," do us all a big favor and educate yourself before making such ignorant remarks. The cold weather that you so describe in your argument AGAINST the existence of global warming, is in reality, a CONSEQUENCE of global warming. Global warming doesn't simply mean that the world becomes hotter, it means that temperatures become unstable and reach both extremes.
My question for Mr. Gore is this: In light of the partisan-bred ignorance in America (yes, I'm talking about you Republicans), how can climate change become less a partisan issue, and more a national one so that our country can unite to fight against it?
Dear Mr Gore,
Oh boy, where to start? First of all I admire you and your committment to a healthier earth. I know that we cannot continue to do energy waste as usual and not pay the price for future generations. Even Earth has its limits, having said this, reputations are at stake in this climategate scandal. I would love to be able to create some right wing conspiracy that the leading scientisit emails were hacked, and edited, but am not too convinced that this could be possible, so just where do you stand on this controversy? Please address why this happpened?
Cindy
Gore isn't a scientist, he's a spokesperson. And global warming has been researched for decades, it didn't start with Al Gore. The attempts to belittle him show absolute weakness on the part of the global warming deniers. Where are the facts against global warming?
They point to this manufactured controversy about an email, but they don't even know enough about the science to say that the scientists are wrong, they're just spinning something that was said in an email and making it out to be some sort of deception. Why not prove it with your facts guys?
Where are the facts that disprove global warming? I'd love to see them, I think it would make me sleep better at night.
Exactly how much money do you expect to make personally from all your involvements in the climate change business, if any?
Should we be worrying about when the next supervolcano is going to erupt rather than the amount of CO2 being released?
If you firmly believe that the earths oceans will rise 20 ft why did you buy a condo in San Francisco right next to the ocean?
Mr. Vice President,
There are so many things that we can do to contribute to the solution of reversing the impact of our actions on our planet (use compact flourencent light bulbs; recycle everything we can; save water; drive less), that it often feels overwhelming and paralyzing; and a bit like no matter what we do the question will always remain "Am I really making a difference?"
Is there one thing that each and every person on the planet can do to contribute to the effort of a more sustainable future?
Thank you for all you have done and are doing. You are a beacon!
Peace,
Karuna Gerstein
Cotati, CA
All I hear from conservatives is how "cap and trade" will be a disaster economically. Will you please give us some insight on how "cap and trade" can actually help our country economically in the long run. I read Tom Friedman's book, "Hot, Flat, and Crowded" and I think he has it about right.
Mr. Vice President, I struggle with the fact you will not give pundits an opportunity for civil debate! If you do truly believe in your cause one would think you would be willing to hold it up against scrutiny! Potentially putting it in a stronger position.
So I have to ask myself this! "Why Mr. Vice President would you be scared to do that?"
Does the "debate is over" attitude displayed by you and scientists like Michael Mann remind you of the conviction Bush had about Iraq's WMD? Look at the mess the US is in now because of it. Are you really okay with going all in on another "crisis" where scientific facts are not allowed to stand in the way of politics? To paraphrase one of the emails uncovered in Climategate, I can't account for the lack of conscience in politicians like you, and it is a travesty that I can't.
Sir,
i appreciate your efforts in educating the society about climate change.
i have seen your movie. It is pretty remarkable for politician like you to take up this challenge and fight for it.
I am still not sure why some politicians are in doubt about climate change. other day i was watching a report by James Balog (a photographer who has captured the climate change in his camera lenses). After watching his clips, i have really scared..
according to his studies, the biggest glacier in Greenland is retreating with a speed of 175 feed a day...
This is alarming...
what can we do to protect these glacier ?
Why not US congress work in a bipartition manner to pass a resolution on climate change ?
Mr. Gore this is the biggest hoax perpatreted by the left espacially when you have scientist trying to manipulate the data to make it look that the earth is warming. There is no evidence of man made glaboal warming and the impact of what you want to implement will damage the economy and people will lose jobs because of this, green energy is not efficient nor is it dependable, so why keep pushing those lies?
Mr. Gore,
Thank you for pressing on after all the negative comments and accusations against you. I have pity for those who refuse to see that human kind and our ways of exploiting non-renewable resources have brought our planet to the point of serious trouble. It's true, the Earth will survive this, but what people need to understand is that human kind will not survive if we do not act now.
Please don't let the right wing lobbyists and duped public bring you down. Keep up the fight. You are our leader in this fight and the tides are turning.
Thank you.
Are you disheartened by the use of words like "agenda" and "hoax" to connote the belief that your stance on global warming is somehow a con job to bilk americans out of their money?
Environmentalism is becoming a PR battle laden with fallacy and emotionally charged rhetoric. How do we overcome this and get on to finding meaningful solutions?
Mr Gore, if global warming is an issue then why are the average temperatures over the next 5 years expected to decrease rather than increase? Oh and do you travel by bike or do you travel in luxurious automobiles?
Future President Al Gore,
As a American citizen living in Canada,I live in a country that can actually profit from mild global warming, and am citizen of one that contributes the most.
Why does the USA and Canadian government collaborate on the nationalization and legalization of marijuana and hemp, using part of the billions (possibly trillions) in profits to invest into renewable energy technologies, and additional technologies to reduce human greenhouse gas production?
Secondary benefits of this plan include:
A percentage of profits from the nationalization and legalization of marijuana and hemp can be used to fund the health care system. This legalization would also end the main source of income for the Mexican drug cartels
The impact of this could directly effect all of North America and indirectly effect the entire world
President Gore, (yes, you were my President; rightfully elected),
I just want to thank you for all you have done for science and for the well being of this planet. I have followed your political and scientific views for many years now, and you are well regarded among serious scientists.
Your admirer,
HB
Do you really believe in Global Warming or are you just an opportunist looking for money and notoriety? If you truly believe, you sure have a whopper of a carbon footprint. How do you sleep at night?
Mr. Gore
How can we really stop global warming with out getting to the root of the problem, namely over population. I suggest having China bring up mandatory population control to the united nations, as they have experience in this field. It would not be possible for the Americans or the Mexicans to bring this up because of political reasons. Or we can use the tried and true method, fighting over resources, war's, famine, genocide,
disease, eventually there will be no resources, did anyone ever stop and think about that.
Why aren't politicians concentrated on environmental problems that we have known about for years? Our diminishing fresh water supply is being polluted with mercury, lead, and PCB's. 1 in every 3 kids born in New York has asthma. Autism rates are increasing and have been linked to pollution. Do you expect us to believe CO2 is our biggest worry? Do you expect hard working people to give there money to some world bank filled with unelected officials all because you say the sky is falling. The people of the United States are smarter than that and are going pick through the crap that your shoveling.
Mr Gore,
I agree we should be better stewards of our planet. In the history of the planet, the earth has warmed and cooled many times without the help of humans. Human history is a minute speck of time in the Earth's history. Not to mention just the past century that we have produced so much polution to, as you say, cause Global Warming.
Question: Who is to say that the Earth's temperature for the last 10,000 years, is the proper temperature for the Earth (or... the last 1 million years)?
Thanks,
Doug
Mr. Gore,
CO2 levels have been shown to lag historical temprature changes by 100 to 300 years. On the other hand changes in the sun's energy received here are shown to correlate directly with those same temprature changes. In light of these facts, how to you justify your position regarding man-caused global warming in general, and regarding proposed debilitating regulations that are postured as an attempt to control the climate in particular?
Climate change aside, our petroleum-based energy infrastructure will not suffice to power our economies, lives, and basic necessities such as heating and transportation through the rest of the 21st century.
Our children deserve better than short-sighted foolishness. Buy a bicycle and ride it to school or work if you live within 3 miles; take a bus if you're within 20. Recycle. Buy 2nd-hand when you can. Buy local, support you farmer's market. Pay the extra $8 on your electric bill every month to install more wind turbines.
I'm 22 years old, I ride my bike 2 miles to school, and and take the bus 20 miles to work – I was inspired to do this by my 60-year-old physics professor. We're all young enough to help make the future better for our children.
OK, here's what I don't understand...
It's a fact that the earth has been cooling for the last decade. We are told that this is just a normal cycle superimposed on an otherwise upward trend. However, if the correlation between global warming and man-made CO2 is so strong that it demands radical action, then it seems to me that this correlation would overcome any normal short-term cycle. If a short-term cycle can overcome the effects of CO2, then the correlation must not be as strong as some suggest, and therefore radical action must not be required.
Seriously, just answer this for me and I'll switch from skeptic to believer. Can I get an e-mail reply directly from Mr. Gore?
New ice cores being studied (right now) have shown, SUDDEN, and Dramatic changes in Earth's temperatures, in such SHORT periods of geological time to defy Science and Logic. Yet it's true. About 80,000 years before MAN! The involve scientist are blown away. This is way out there. Several papers to be published, plus up coming documentary being shot on sight in the Artic.
Lead scientist:" This is simply beyond belief. It's so exciting, that these changes could have occured in a geological instant."
Okay I'm ready for more, and you may want to lessen your grip on that textbook.......ji
Al,
I know there are some relatively cheap ways that have been proposed to alter the warming trend. One is the "chimney to the sky" concept, where we push some matter up in the appropriate spot in the atmosphere to simulate cloud cover. There are others as well. What are your thoughts on these types of solutions?
Mr. Gore,
You supported Hillary Clinton's request for confiscating excessive profits from oil companies. I believe you have made upwards of $100 million since taking the lead on global warming/climate change which seems to me to be excessive profits in just a few shorts years of work. My question to you is – will you hand over 50% of the money you have received to Hillary Clinton's effort to confiscate excessive profits?
Thank you
no one was alive a million years ago, or even less, so you tell me how you can be so sure it wasn't the same then as now as far as climate is concerned. don't even go a million back. you try, but since you weren't alive then.
Gore is a polarized spokesman but global warming is legit, so before you try attacking him to debunk rising temps consider that. Also consider the necessity of having a polarized spokesman to front this crisis. Coal and oil lobbies work everyday to put this idiotic climategate fiasco in front of the public.
Obviously for anyone who would go as far as Mr. Gore has in the last decade to convince everyone and anyone that is willing to listen that global warning is a real threat, that this would be a major setback. Billions of dollars of not only the US, but other countries around the world money have been spent confirming such a threat and then all the sudden a few emails pop up discounting the entire debate. I'm all for renewable resources, better gas mileage, cleaner air and drinking water, and not owning oceanfront property in the state I'm in, but even though we'll never really be told the truth about it...inconvenient or not, I'd just like to know if this was yet another elaborate scam put on by extremely people to further their wealth. Either that or a simple "I was talking out of my rear" would suffice quite well.
Mr. Gore,
As an evniromental activist, you drive an 8 cylinder car and fly a private, 3 engine jet. How do you explain that?
Mr. Vice President Gore:
If the Supreme Court had voted for you as President, do you think that Climate policy would have had as much trouble as today's Health Care Bill getting through the Legislature?
Even though the people that do not have kids or souls do not seem to care about Global Warming, should they be concerned for themselves, given that pollution in general is a health hazard?
Thank you,
Elizabeth
Why did you stop using Global Warming as your preferred phrase? Why did you change it to Climate change? Is China really going to stop their carbon production? Are we really going to force Argentina and meat producers to stop producing beef? When are you going to defend the un-covered lies from your movie"An inconvenient Truth" especifically in Glen Becks book "An inconvenient Book?"
Al Gore,
1. Why won't you accept Lord Monckton's invitation for a debate?
2. Why do you only answer pre-scripted/written questions?
regards,
Concerned Citizen from Canada
Hydro companies continue to destroy and divert rivers and build dams, thus destroying land and are polluting fresh waters. With all the latest new technological advancements in energy production (wind & solar, etc…), why haven’t you denounced hydro electric development?
Mr. Gore,
It seems obvious that money spent to cut carbon emissions will benefit the economy by creating new jobs. The history of the environmental movement has shown this to be the case. These new jobs would be created in energy oriented technologies whether it is renewable energy or energy conservation.
How can this aspect be more clearly presented?
Didn’t you say you invented the internet? Why should we now believe you on this? Why did scientist say that the next ice age was coming 20 years ago, if the Earth has been heating for the last 150 years? Now some of these same scientists say its getting hotter, not colder, and sorry we were wrong back then. But got it right now and we should change our way of life? What if we make all these changes and 20 years form now you tell us, oh sorry we were wrong back then? What happened to the holes in the ozone layer that was going to kill us all? Were we wrong about that was well? Why do you own such a big house, a jet, lots of cars that consumes so much energy if your really that concerned about global warming? You want us to change everything about the way we live but not you? Oh that’s right, your carbon neutral I almost forgot. That gives you the right to be a pompous ass.
So, at this point in time, exactly how many of the farfetched predictions in your award winning movie have proved to be true? Given that CO2 ppm have increased since 2006, have hurricanes gotten bigger? Have sea levels risen?
Mr. Gore,
Is there anything we or the US government do to curb our exploding population? Isn't it the overpopulation of the Earth at the core of this problem?
Why do you persist in claiming that humans are the primary cause of global warming when that is demonstrably NOT the case?
Why do you appear to be ignoring all the ice core data which tracks hundreds of thousands of years?
Didn’t you say you invented the internet? Why should we now believe you on this? Why did scientist say that the next ice age was coming 20 years ago, if the Earth has been heating for the last 150 years? Now some of these same scientists say its getting hotter, not colder, and sorry we were wrong back then. But got it right now and we should change our way of life? What if we make all these changes and 20 years form now you tell us, oh sorry we were wrong back then? What happened to the holes in the ozone layer that was going to kill us all? Were we wrong about that was well? Why do you live in such a big house, a jet, lots of cars that consumes so much energy if your really that concerned about global warming? You want us to change everything about the way we live but not you? Oh that’s right, your carbon nature I almost forgot. That gives you the right to be a pompous ass.
Let us suppose the surge in CO2 levels will not mimic the surge in temperature as it has done the last half million years on which we have solid data. Let us suppose that the 385 ppm of CO2 we currently are at is just a blip in the cycle that has never gone beyond 280 ppm of CO2. Let us suppose that our kids will not face a different world because of our ignorance on the fact that exponential processes become scary situations quite quickly. The Bush administration ignored the science just as they ignored the facts on the Iraq situation. I just don't understand what people base their opinions on anymore. Do they step outside in the winter and think "What global warming?". As if that is scientific in any way. My only conclusion is that those same people think science is not real and still believe that you catch colds by not wearing a coat. I hate stupid people. Especially ones that also ignore common sense. It's scientific data people. It is not like the scientists have some sort of goal of screwing our economy. Read a friggin journal or something. Educate yourself. You don't notice 1 degree Celcius per year, but you can if you actually examine a half million years of trends. Apparently, some of you need a dramatic supernatural change to believe in climate change. One more mention: global warming is a misnomer since the "warming part" is only a globa trend, meaning it will get colder in some areas of the world and warmer in others. This shifts the ecology in such a quick time that natural equilibria cannot keep up. The cycles that alot of the stupid people cite are called equilibria. It's kind of like filling a bucket with a hole in it. If you fill too quickly, the bucket will still overflow because the hole doesn't allow the water to drain quickly enough to keep up. You breach the equilibrium of volume and flow rate to a point that the flow rate cannot keep up even with increasing volume (pressure).
Ive been doing irrigation in the state of Florida for 26 years. Watch the documentary and learn. Im not speaking for everyone in Florida but brother in my book its hotter.And as far as his presidental run i wish he would have won.
How do you justify your lear jet, mansion, limo lifestyle while asking others to ride a bike to work? Your poor example makes it hard for others to take you seriously.
Al Gore, now that it is official that the Scientists who were throwing away the data also said that the warming has stopped, will you acknowledge that Scientists and admit that the warming has stopped, or will you continue your anti-science agenda of pushing the big Warming lie?
Mr. Gore.
Given that the e-mails from University of East Anglia's Climatic Research Unit that appear to discuss hiding or deleting data that may contradict global warming claim. Also given that storm activity on Jupiter has increased in a relative fashion to the increase in Earth temperature. Also given that the polar caps on Mars are melting in a similar manner, Why is a Heliocentric cause for the global temperature increase not being discussed. With carbon emissions increasing at a constant rate and the temperatures not following suit, does logic not dictate that anthropological causes for GW have serious flaws in its validity? Does this lack of questioning show that there may be a political agenda behind the hype?
Thank You
Chris Rosendahl
Seriously, Gore is a joke and a fraud. Maybe if he gave up the mansion, the convoy of SUV's and limousines, and the private jets he might have a shred of credibility. It's sad how many people have been duped by this idiot; however, atleast we have the internet to thank him for.
I have recently taken to the practice of returning my plastic shopping bags to one of the local department stores. In just a few months, I had five or six plastic bags full of plastic bags, and that was from one person in one store in one city and state. Would you know of any statistics available on how many plastic bags are used in grocery and department stores on a regular basis?
The most obvious way to combat the portion of global warming that is attributed to man is to expand the use of nuclear power. Why do the same people that are so alarmed about global warming refuse to embrace and push for the expanded use of nuclear power?
If you think "the costs/risks" of nuclear power outweigh the benefits, why don't you apply that same cost/benefit calculation to the trillions of dollars of costs and economic harm that will result from the other proposed solutions, e.g. taxes & regulation.
They've shot themselves in the foot with their high and mighty chant of "the debate is over, the science is in". Well, the debate is just starting ...
Mr. Gore; Do you really believe the temperature at the earth's core is 1 million degrees? that is what you said on Conan OBrien's show! I believe that would make earth a sun or star!
I seriously question your knowledge of the science you preach and your motives.
At the end of the day would you have us believe in 2012 mayan calendars? Would your answer be if the science is there?
You sir are in the company of the likes of Oral Roberts and the president of iran.If the christians could prove jesus lived are we to believe in armegeddan.It seems to me the people that support you really haven't thought about what they're supporting.I remember back ith late 70s of the enviromentalists and all the doomsday cults, we are still here.This is the most lopsided theory to ever be put forward the science just is not there.No woder so many conspiricies exist as to world leader are involved with this stuff it just makes no sense.
ALONG FOR THE RIDE.............
In the mid 1970's, America was warning of the coming ice age, stating that temperatures had been declining world wide for decades. The solution was the reduction of greenhouse gases and diminished use of fossil fuels. Now, the warning is about global warming with the same solutions to reverse it. How can we be sure this will work? And what if we are successful in reversing it? Will we have to increase greenhouse gases and increase the use of fossil fuels to divert an ice age from occurring?
Will you divest yourself personally and professionally of any profit to be made from the global warming agenda? Will you withdraw all investments in any company who will profit from government participation in the so-called global warming issue? Will you live as you say we should? Give up the limos and private planes. Multiple homes. Wasteful lifestyle. Sign an affidavit to this, and provide all of your electric and gas receipts and compare them to the people you are preaching to. Will you swear on your children's lives as to the truth of all you say?
Actual climate change combined with constraints on energy and fresh water will be one of the MAJOR problems during the rest of most of our lives.
Al Gore is trying to raise awareness for real issues. Hell even the rainforest burning each year in indonesia is equivalent to 1.6 billion transatlantic flights for green house gasses. One man's usage doesn't really make a difference...global policy...that does.
-G
Shouldn't the climate data be available to any and all scientists to test? At a minimum, maybe other eyes will identify some errors or misreadings in the data - or, for that matter, totally back you up. I mean, if the results are as rock-solid as you say, make them available.
Please stop the global warming propaganda and publish all of the data, not the hand picked data that supports your goals. Enough change is needed with the real data, there is no reason to add fluff and even lies. Yes we contribute to global warming, but not as much as nature does on its own. Let's worry more about pollution and the scarcity of resources and less on global warming, which hasn't been proven as a problem yet.
How does the effect of volcanic activity compare with the effect of human activity on global warming? Isn't methane and the other gasses emitted from an eruption far greater in quantity and greenhouse effect than CO2 from industry?
I've recently completed a thermodynamics course in college where the last part of the semester was spent talking about the heat transfer capacity of the sun, and what the so called greenhouse gasses due to the planet.
To answer a lot of the questions up here, you must understand a negative feedback loop of heat, where ice reflects the heat away from the planet, and does not absorb it. Obviously the less ice, the more heat is able to be absorbed by water and other gasses. This leads to more moisture content in the air.
What I really want to know is if the air has a higher capacity for moisture, does that mean that I'm looking at a better year for powder skiing here in the rockies?
I and, I think, most of us, depend on the robust practice of the Scientific Method by scientists involved in the relevant fields to produce rational answers to such questions as global warming.
One of the most important principles of the Scientific Method is that all hypotheses, theories and positions must always remain open to scrutiny and testing of results. Contrary positions are most valuable, because new evidence, difficult questions and the ensuing debates serve to test theories and add new insights. Is this unpleasant for those proposing hypotheses and theories? Yes, it most certainly is, and it is that way by design. These tests are intentionally meant to be as difficult as possible.
In the case of global warming issues, I believe that a large number of scientists who fervently support global warming theories have for many years exhibited behavior deserving of serious criticism. They have done this by declaring that “there is no debate”, “the debate is over and we have won”, and “global warming is absolutely proven and we need not and will not listen to any contrary position”. Any scientist with opposing views, or even asking uncomfortable questions, is promptly vilified in academic and professional journals and to the mainstream media. This is not science. It is bullying, pure and simple.
All supporters of global warming theories, well-intentioned or otherwise, need reminding that a question of science is not like a political debate with a fixed beginning and end. Scientific debates never end, nor should they. Throughout human history, contradictions, new evidence and new insights have been the basis of countless breakthroughs in the understanding of our universe. Only in mathematics are there any absolute proofs that need no further evidence.
If a large group of scientists feels that there is overwhelming evidence of a serious threat to our planet, they have not just the right, but also a duty, to try to do something about it. But what they absolutely must not do is to violate the very process upon which all science is based by resorting to dogma and the arbitrary suppression of opposing ideas. To do so defiles the very work to which they have dedicated their lives.
Why, on your latest book, does it show Cuba underwater (that would mean most of Colorado would be under water too)... and a hurricane at the equator (which is impossible)?
Also, when will you STOP flying private jets? And I don't mean buying offsets. Offsets are just a way for rich people to feel better... while STILL POLLUTING.
How can the science be settled on global climate temperatures and the root causes, when there is so much left to learn? I don't know of any other field of science where the debate has been declared "over" even before it started...
What temperature is it supposed to be?
If someone hacked emails stating that the Bush Administration was 'fixing' data and 'fudging' intelligence about Iraqi WMDs, would you call for a halt to the war and an investigation to find the truth FIRST?
If so, why not do the same here.
Also.... did you personally know that these numbers were being 'fudged' to hide declines and prop up your theories?
Where are all the predicted hurricanes from global warming? It's been pretty quite.this year.
Mr.Gore,
Now that the EPA has deemed CO2 has dangerous, why are we not moving towards more Nuclear energy, energy independence from Natural Gas (low Co2 output), and how is it that the average middle american family can afford an $80k Tesla as you are on the list to purchase? Also, is this your back up plan due to your failed presidential run?
Oh by the way, if testimony has a lie in it, one can be charged with perjury. Your positions require vast amounts of tax dollars and commitments based on science that has been proven to have been falsified or perjured at best.
Do you feel guilty about using an enormous amount of energy and leaving a carbon footprint the size of a city during your lifetime?
Mr Gore
How can you even sleep at night!!! Would love to see your power bill
Poor Al Gore. Tries to drum up awareness for this and gets the wrath. He should have gunned for breast cancer awareness or something.
Let me take over for you and give you a break Al,
"Dear people...Climate change will be the least of our problems in the future."
Why won't you dabate anyone on global warming
Do we even know the optimal temperature of the Earth? Do we know what dynamic shifts in temperature are indeed dangerous to the ecosystem?
Most importantly, what is the relative importance of "Global Warming". Isn't war, famine, diseases, pollution, etc. more important than the temperature right now?
Mr. Gore, I really enjoyed reading your latest book, Our Choice. How can we develop a sense of pride in our society with respect to changing the way we use energy at a personal level? I'm talking about things like turning down the furnace and air conditioning, buying energy efficient appliances, using CFL lamps, and turning them off when not in use.
I think it would be great if we could get this to a competitive type of activity for people, as in "who's doing the most to save energy?"
While climate change may be cyclical, we have to recognize the impact that we humans have on the planet as well. And while individual efforts are noble, we really must concentrate on getting industries to change their ways, to decrease emissions, to lessen their footprint. Climate change IS happening...whether you want to believe it or not.
Whether we humans caused it is certainly up for debate. But would it be so wrong to encourage our industries to work better/smarter/safer in order to reduce their impact on the earth? What, exactly, would that hurt?
In a worst-case scenario, what is the soonest that the planet could reach "critical mass", if global warming persists at the current rates?
Today I read in Yahoo News that it's gotten COLDER in the USA and Canada. Here in Sacramento, our summers are not as scorchingly hot in recent years as years past. Didn't Dallas just have its earliest recorded snowfall this last week?
So, in light of all this, you think we have global warming?
I can see that weather patterns are changing. That is good for some places and bad for others. BUT that is NOT GLOBAL WARMING! Earth has for thousands of years had weather cycles and it's done more at handling asteroids and volcanoes' CO2 than the puny increases by humans.
I think you are an alarmist with an agenda to TAX the USA and give that money to CORRUPT governments (or the corrupt United Nations) to gain power for yourself (you've already made millions on this agenda) and others who agree with your wish for a one-world government with "elites" like you over the minions that are trying to eke out a living after being overtaxed!
Al Gore is nothing more than a man with something to gain from the global warming agenda. Pushing Cap and Trade and Lisbon Treaty type policies upon the people. His "consensus" doesn't account for the 30,000 plus scientists that disagree, so he and those within the agenda of global control and monetary gain are marginalized and discredited. The IPCC is a farce derived from bad science engineered to push this agenda with Mr. Gore's support. He should be stripped of his Nobel and exposed for the globalist and fraud he most certainly is.
How do you convince someone of the reality of global climate change when they are so firmly entrenched in their disbelief?
have you read the emails? was any of the information contained in the email incorrect?
Mr. Gore: Not withstanding the debate regarding man's effect of the obvious climate change, how do you feel we can best "repower" America in a way that responsibly grows our economy and provides for jobs growth?
What is the number one struggle in convincing others of the urgency of the climate situation?
Do you feel that political action is much more powerful and useful than things we do in our every day lives?
double question really:
1/ there is a natural cycle of ice age and warming of the planet – why is this any different?
2/ with the revelation of scientists apparently "shifting data" to suit the argument one way or another how am i supposed to believe anyone one way or another?
Al: We know each other for 30 years. The way to get big time investment in climate change is to offer incentives for big time investment in the things the people of this earth will need if all we do is NOT enough. I just wrote that to Paul Krugman – Do you agree – or do you want to think about it? – Jeff
First of all, the climate change that is taking place is looking bleak and not so out of control. I think that the events that are taking place are causing people to overreact and panic a little to much. I believe that Al Gore is probably have right, but I'm not driving an electric car or some weird little automobile. The main reason is I'm from Texas and we believe in using diesel and lots of oil.
if he believes what he says why is he so wasteful with the earth's energy -example- his plane his home and why is he still eating steak.
Mr. Gore, would you place your hand on the Bible and state that all the evidence is true and not tainted by you or your scientists for peronal agendas? Why? I just want it documented.