I think people aren't opposed to acknowledging change in the climate. It's questioning how much people are responsible for the change that's at issue. I've run into some reasonable arguments suggesting we're not as much as we're told. And the resentment people feel is probably due to the fact that only wealthy people can afford to be "climate friendly."
I'll give some climate change deniers a partial pass, given the amount of disinformation they have likely been fed. But when it comes to addressing the problem, it really shouldn't matter the ratio of how much human-caused/natural climate evolution is responsible. It's obviously here and getting worse. We can address it instead of ignore it, and embracing outdated, atmosphere-choking, fossil fuel-burning infrastructure is foolhardy.
Jeremiah, I would push back to this extent. I’ve been hearing for years from some politicians, mostly those with an R behind their name, this safe place that they try to run to where they acknowledge the weather is changing but claim it can’t be proved that humans are the cause of it. So they throw up their hands as if we’re powerless to do anything about it, so why try. The vast majority of scientists agree that humans ARE the cause of climate change. Not sure what you’ve read but any quick google search will find articles by NOAA, the UN, NASA and many universities that say the evidence is overwhelming.
Considering I've been a victim/perpetrator of idealism/fanaticism in the past I very much appreciate what you're saying. My basic reasoning.. Has the climate massively changed prior to human influence? Yes. Therefore it seems reasonable to be skeptical.
I have a friend who has been arrested for protesting for green energy. Committed his entire young life to the politics of it. I wish he and his friends would take that passion and put it into innovation – what I think the actual solution is (for all of life). This guy was recently on Bill Maher and I thought he made some valid points. (I have not looked into the numbers. Quite frankly the entire media world is pro wrestling at this point. I'm just interested to see who wins). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWqv6RH-3WE
Dave, in my experience it isn’t the meteorologists who are ignoring climate change. As in the case of my former colleague Chris Gloninger at KCCI, it’s station management and corporate ownership, who are more concerned about hemorrhaging viewership and declining revenue, who are telling meteorologists not to emphasize climate change. They feel they can’t afford to offend and thus lose one more viewer, even the climate deniers. It’s sad when experts are told not to tell the scientific truth.
As someone who has family in southeast Louisiana, including a grandniece born during Katrina, and having to drive around Waterloo to pick up relief supplies for family in Cedar Rapids during the durecho, I can tell you no one takes these storms lightly anymore. I don't think local meteorologists can hype every two-inch snowfall as the storm of the century for the sake of producing dramatic promo ads and ignore that something is happening. We had a very wet spring and early summer and now the driest September-October in a long time. Even though I've been told weather drives ratings for local news, climate change is a "macro" issue is something all of us are largely oblivious to.
You make a perfect point about automobiles. Take a look at any car dealership and you see a fleet of mostly, if not all, supersized pickup trucks. I couldn't find a domestic model car with less than 70,000 miles the last time I car shopped in 2022. It's more trucks, bigger trucks, with big gas tanks and higher-sitting glaring headlights. Some may say it's for utility and safety, particularly in winter driving; but it's also a status symbol. When I took my son to Green Bay Packers training camp several years ago the players parking lot was full of Cadillac Escalades. And no one drives the speed limit. Set your cruise control at 5 miles over and see how many people pass you like you're a tree. Try telling someone their big pickup is contributing to climate change, not to mention wearing out our roads faster, and you'll get laughed at or called a snowflake. That's what happened to American Motors President George Romney, father of Sen. Mitt Romney, when he coined the phrase "gas guzzling dinosaurs" about 65 years ago. Other than ditching the cigarettes, not much has changed. Conspicuous consumption is alive and well. Damn the tornadoes, full speed ahead.
Thank you, Dave. I would like to invite you to speak at Scottish Rite Park this month. Any chance I could arrange that? Our Progressive Community here is active and engaged in the community and issues—we have a high percentage of voters and we would be open to hearing your take on how the media is dealing (or not dealing) with candidates during this cycle. I recall briefly meeting with you and other members of Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice a number of years ago. You can reach me at my email: pknight.peterson@gmail.com.
Wise words from a pro.
100% …. Great writing and observations …. Appreciate your detailed information.
Thanks, Cindy.
This needs to be published in the DM Register, with the paragraphs about voting in bold! Thanks for this excellent piece!
Nice to hear from you, Barb. Hope all is well.
I think people aren't opposed to acknowledging change in the climate. It's questioning how much people are responsible for the change that's at issue. I've run into some reasonable arguments suggesting we're not as much as we're told. And the resentment people feel is probably due to the fact that only wealthy people can afford to be "climate friendly."
I'll give some climate change deniers a partial pass, given the amount of disinformation they have likely been fed. But when it comes to addressing the problem, it really shouldn't matter the ratio of how much human-caused/natural climate evolution is responsible. It's obviously here and getting worse. We can address it instead of ignore it, and embracing outdated, atmosphere-choking, fossil fuel-burning infrastructure is foolhardy.
Jeremiah, I would push back to this extent. I’ve been hearing for years from some politicians, mostly those with an R behind their name, this safe place that they try to run to where they acknowledge the weather is changing but claim it can’t be proved that humans are the cause of it. So they throw up their hands as if we’re powerless to do anything about it, so why try. The vast majority of scientists agree that humans ARE the cause of climate change. Not sure what you’ve read but any quick google search will find articles by NOAA, the UN, NASA and many universities that say the evidence is overwhelming.
Considering I've been a victim/perpetrator of idealism/fanaticism in the past I very much appreciate what you're saying. My basic reasoning.. Has the climate massively changed prior to human influence? Yes. Therefore it seems reasonable to be skeptical.
I have a friend who has been arrested for protesting for green energy. Committed his entire young life to the politics of it. I wish he and his friends would take that passion and put it into innovation – what I think the actual solution is (for all of life). This guy was recently on Bill Maher and I thought he made some valid points. (I have not looked into the numbers. Quite frankly the entire media world is pro wrestling at this point. I'm just interested to see who wins). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWqv6RH-3WE
Dave, in my experience it isn’t the meteorologists who are ignoring climate change. As in the case of my former colleague Chris Gloninger at KCCI, it’s station management and corporate ownership, who are more concerned about hemorrhaging viewership and declining revenue, who are telling meteorologists not to emphasize climate change. They feel they can’t afford to offend and thus lose one more viewer, even the climate deniers. It’s sad when experts are told not to tell the scientific truth.
Thanks, Steve. I did refer to station managers a couple of times in the column. Certainly it’s not all at the feet of the meteorologists.
Yes, you did. My apologies. Hope you and yours are well!
As someone who has family in southeast Louisiana, including a grandniece born during Katrina, and having to drive around Waterloo to pick up relief supplies for family in Cedar Rapids during the durecho, I can tell you no one takes these storms lightly anymore. I don't think local meteorologists can hype every two-inch snowfall as the storm of the century for the sake of producing dramatic promo ads and ignore that something is happening. We had a very wet spring and early summer and now the driest September-October in a long time. Even though I've been told weather drives ratings for local news, climate change is a "macro" issue is something all of us are largely oblivious to.
You make a perfect point about automobiles. Take a look at any car dealership and you see a fleet of mostly, if not all, supersized pickup trucks. I couldn't find a domestic model car with less than 70,000 miles the last time I car shopped in 2022. It's more trucks, bigger trucks, with big gas tanks and higher-sitting glaring headlights. Some may say it's for utility and safety, particularly in winter driving; but it's also a status symbol. When I took my son to Green Bay Packers training camp several years ago the players parking lot was full of Cadillac Escalades. And no one drives the speed limit. Set your cruise control at 5 miles over and see how many people pass you like you're a tree. Try telling someone their big pickup is contributing to climate change, not to mention wearing out our roads faster, and you'll get laughed at or called a snowflake. That's what happened to American Motors President George Romney, father of Sen. Mitt Romney, when he coined the phrase "gas guzzling dinosaurs" about 65 years ago. Other than ditching the cigarettes, not much has changed. Conspicuous consumption is alive and well. Damn the tornadoes, full speed ahead.
It’s very frustrating to see companies/corporations bow to a few extremests. I was so disappointed when Gloninger left. Great article!
100%, Dave!
Thank you, Dave. I would like to invite you to speak at Scottish Rite Park this month. Any chance I could arrange that? Our Progressive Community here is active and engaged in the community and issues—we have a high percentage of voters and we would be open to hearing your take on how the media is dealing (or not dealing) with candidates during this cycle. I recall briefly meeting with you and other members of Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice a number of years ago. You can reach me at my email: pknight.peterson@gmail.com.
Thanks Dave. For your Iowa readers interested in learning where many of Iowa scientists and scholars stand on climate change, see: https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2024/10/08/iowa-scientists-suggest-individual-action-to-help-climate-crisis-reduce-anxiety/