Been on holiday
Read an interesting book

State of Fear by Michael Crichton

You probably all know about it but the statistics on which it is based are real I checked a sample!

Climate change is happening, you can't deny it. Actually, it's been happening for about 4bn years, so far as we can tell!

We need to define terms. In my book, what we should accept is that climate change happens: it may be warming (probably was, for a while, until 10 years ago) or it may be cooling. OTOH, there's the scam - Global Warming is definitely happening and it's all the fault of man. Bunk.

Well, call me a cynical old marsupial, but as a rule of paw, I generally find that when you have two, big, complex and conflicting arguments going the rounds, the simplest way to the truth, is to study the proponents and their antecedents.

In this case, the principal deniers and debunkers of the so-called Global Warming threat, are George Bush, the Bush administration, the Republic Party in the United states, the Global petro-chemical industry, and a chain of hired, funded and salaried experts, which the aforementioned industry has proven to be bankrolling.

So we'll believe them shall we - why not?

I'd also really like to know how if mankind's activities on Earth have been nothing but benign, a huge hole in the Ozone Layer appeared over the South Eastern Pacific seven years ago, and has been giving my cousins (and yours) cancer, ever since.

But heck - what would I know?
I'm just a small bear with a small brain.

edited for typo

Mr Marsupial, it was funny we should have discussed this only two days ago, because just today, the Tennessee Center for Policy Research (TCPR) issued a press release about this VERY topic, and jolly interesting it is too. I've reproduced most of it below. And remember this is only one of four homes the man has. Before you read it, you might want to get out your own most recent electricity bill and see how many KwH you consume.

When it comes to climate change, I think we should just ignore him, don't you?

Energy Guzzled by Al Gore’s Home in Past Year Could Power 232 U.S. Homes for a Month
Gore’s personal electricity consumption up 10%, despite “energy-efficient” home renovations

NASHVILLE - In the year since Al Gore took steps to make his home more energy-efficient, the former Vice President’s home energy use surged more than 10%, according to the TCPR.

“A man’s commitment to his beliefs is best measured by what he does behind the closed doors of his own home,” said Drew Johnson, President of the TCPR. “Al Gore is a hypocrite and a fraud when it comes to his commitment to the environment, judging by his home energy consumption.”

In the past year, Gore’s home burned through 213,210 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity, enough to power 232 average American households for a month.

In February 2007, An Inconvenient Truth, a film based on a climate change speech developed by Gore, won an Academy Award for best documentary feature. The next day, the TCPR uncovered that Gore’s Nashville home guzzled 20 times more electricity than the average American household.

After the TCPR exposed Gore’s massive home energy use, the former Vice President scurried to make his home more energy-efficient. Despite adding solar panels, installing a geothermal system, replacing existing light bulbs with more efficient models, and overhauling the home’s windows and ductwork, Gore now consumes more electricity than before the “green” overhaul.

In the wake of becoming the most well-known global warming alarmist, Gore won an Oscar, a Grammy and the Nobel Peace Prize. In addition, Gore saw his personal wealth increase by an estimated $100 million thanks largely to speaking fees and investments related to global warming hysteria.

“Actions speak louder than words, and Gore’s actions prove that he views climate change not as a serious problem, but as a money-making opportunity,” Johnson said. “Gore is exploiting the public’s concern about the environment to line his pockets and enhance his profile.”

The TCPR, a Nashville-based free market think tank and watchdog organization, obtained information about Gore’s home energy use through a public records request to the Nashville Electric Service..

My lies?

Gore's lies?

Your lies?

All lies?

http://mediamatters.org/items/200703020001

I don't recall having anything as grand as a thesis.

Being in the information business for more than half my life, I'm painfully aware that claims and counter claims at this level are generally more politics than profundity.

As for dirty tricks (on either side)? They're easy enough to spot, but like Athlete's Foot, very hard to eradicate.

One of the reasons why 'being comfortable in your shoes', is a luxury one might envy you?

Athlete's foot is very easy to eradicate.

I've done it lots of times.

Wow! Stunning pictures CP. Just needs to have a boardwalk built around it and some signs warning of the cold. Come on, let's get Nature tidied up.

Keelhauler wrote:

Athlete's foot is very easy to eradicate.

I've done it lots of times.

I agree KH. It's a bit like kicking the smoking habit, much easier than people say.

I should know, I've done it very successfully many times and doubtless will again.

GF