Focus on the data please

by Ken
(Portland, OR)

I think the current hype about global warming is a bit over hyped. There is evidence to support that the planet is heating up over the past 100 years, but also based on the past several thousand years, it also might be statistically insignificant, especially in light of the past 10 years having some cooling.

In any case, politics is playing a huge roll in how we are dealing with it. Liberals are using it to support their environmental agendas, and conservatives are discounting it to limit legislation which may impact their campaign donors.

I personally think that we need to take better care of our planet, and reducing carbon emissions makes sense in the long run. However, we need to really look to China and India to do their part. Burning coal in China as a means of home heating is the single largest source of man caused carbon emissions on the planet. We can't force them to stop, or they will freeze to death, but we need to look at the facts on where the emissions are coming from and begin to take steps to reduce them.

Both sides of the debate need to focus less on "scientific opinion" and focus on the data, and not just the data that supports their particular viewpoint.

Barry's Response - We have alternatives already, and are developing more. I can only see continued improvement with regard to this, even if there are a few bumps along the way. Thanks for your thoughts, Ken.

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