By Tom Harris ——Bio and Archives--April 15, 2013
Global Warming-Energy-Environment | CFP Comments | Reader Friendly | Subscribe | Email Us
"I think that people aren't as worried as they were before about global warming of two degrees. Scientists have recently told us that our fears (on climate change) are exaggerated."Of course climate science easily backs such cautious comments. But the predictable reaction from activists apparently frightened Oliver and his staff. Backtracking, the Minister later said, according to his spokesman, "I did not say that there is no problem, and I do not say that others (scientists) have said that there is no problem. Instead, they say there is a big problem. But now they say that the problem is not so urgent that they previously thought. Maybe it will take more time. But ... I do not deny the problem, which is a fundamental problem." Rather than retreat when attacked by climate extremists, Oliver should have provided solid evidence for his statements. He should have mentioned the Nongovernmental International Panel on Climate Change in which hundreds of science research papers are cited that shed down on, or disprove much of the basis of climate alarm. He should have mentioned the December 15, 2011 testimonies of four leading climate experts before The Senate Standing Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources that clearly showed how poor the evidence is for dangerous human-caused climate problems. He could have mentioned the dozens of open letters and other declarations endorsed by hundreds of scientists over the past 15 years that the climate scare is scientifically unfounded. While there was nothing wrong with Oliver's staff telling the Canadian Press that his sources included journalist Lawrence Solomon and the Economist (which, on March 30th, published an important article about the uncertainties in climate science), it was hardly sufficient to counter the anger released by eco-campaigners across social media. To date, the Government's climate change communication strongly supports the climate scare and so naturally journalists would point out inconsistencies between Oliver's La Presse statements and those of Environment Minister Peter Kent. Instead of pretending they know who is right in the climate science debate, it is time the Harper government convened open, unbiased climate science hearings across Canada so as to help the public understand the vast uncertainties in this, arguable the most complex science ever tackled. Public support for "stopping climate change" would then quickly wither and, without even taking sides in the science debate, the Conservatives would be politically able to cut back on and eventually cancel expensive and pointless greenhouse gas reduction programs. In the meantime, government strategists, at both federal and provincial levels, must think long and hard about their messaging. As the International Climate Science Coalition explained in our recently released video, it is imperative that our leaders do nothing to support a movement that, if successful, would eventually destroy our country's most important source of wealth--our vast hydrocarbon fuel resources. Being so frightened of their opponents that they actually feed the fire that threatens to burn down our economy is a betrayal to all Canadians. In 2002, the Liberal government of former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien held hearings across Canada leading up to our ratification of the Kyoto Protocol. Those meetings excluded climate realists, scientists who do not support the climate scare. Today's government can, indeed must, do better in any hearings they set up and include scientists from all reputable points of view, politically correct or not. Mutch understands that it will not be easy for politicians to change course on climate policy, but that it must be done regardless, he explains. "I lost many of my best friends and colleagues in the war but we were doing it to defend our society from deadly enemies," he said. "Canada now needs leaders with the courage to stand up to today's deadly enemies, climate campaigners who are bent on destroying the energy sources we need to maintain a prosperous society." "No one is asking politicians to risk their lives as many in my generation did," concludes Mutch. "But they must be strong enough to take the flak that always comes when you are directly attacking your enemy's most important asset. In this case, it is also their most vulnerable asset, and so the Harper government must open up the climate science issue so that the public can hear what is really happening. My discussions with climate scientists such as University of Ottawa Earth Sciences Professor Ian Clark have convinced me that the science is not even remotely settled."
View Comments
Tom Harris is Executive Director of the Ottawa, Canada-based International Climate Science Coalition at http://www.icsc-climate.com.