While I appreciate scientists urging caution and not giving in to wild speculation, their uncertainty gives political leverage to climate denialists.
Denialists can claim that worrying about global warming is simply alarmist nonsense and it gives them leverage to advocate for continued inaction. They can simply claim that weird weather is just part of a natural pattern.
If we're seeing record heat waves, drought, floods, blizzards and other weird weather now, what are the odds that waiting to take action will improve a worsening situation.
The evidence is clear now that we need to take action to curb fossil fuel emissions and shift our economies toward sustainability not endless and mindless consumption.
I suspect we won't take any action until it's way too late. Romney and the GOP will clearly take no action and reverse any actions we've taken so far. Obama will simply pander to his oil industry masters. (However, he might do the right thing in a second term because he won't have to worry about re-election.) Our political system is ineffective to deal with the oncoming crisis that global warming presents.
The denialists have been successful in stifling debate and encouraging inaction about global warming, and marginalizing those of us who listen to the scientists into a fringe group.
If we don't take care of the climate all of our other concerns and worries are going to be a complete waste of time. Mother Nature doesn't care whether humans are on Earth or not. She's done without us for billions of years and will continue on for a few billion more without us.
It's up to us to save ourselves.
= new reply since forum marked as read
