RobertM wrote on Oct 16, 2007 10:06 PM:Our grandchildren do not need to take care of climate change. There is nothing wrong with climate change. Just accept it. Things change.

Reardon wrote on Oct 16, 2007 10:37 PM:RobertM: there have been tens of thousands of climate changes in the past 4.5 million years. No one did anything about any of them -- we didn't cause any of them and it is likely that we didn't do anything to cause this either, but like Y2K (Alar, Saccharin, Three-mile Island, and yes – “Global Cooling.”) and dandruff we seem to have a need to scratch.

Wake Up People wrote on Oct 16, 2007 11:02 PM:We are destroying our world. Wake up people. Just because Bush doesn't believe or understand science doesn't mean you have to follow his lead.

Chicken Little wrote on Oct 16, 2007 11:19 PM:The sky is falling, uh, I mean burning. Sure, homes will be 100% energy independent by 2010. And we'll give up our fossil-fueled cars to curb driving. And yes, we'll also get our government leaders to stop development. These claims are as realistic as the government saying that our present social security system is financially sound. What do these guys do for their day jobs?

First.... wrote on Oct 17, 2007 1:08 AM:Prove that global warming is a fact and not just a political campaign slogan embrace by the left. Im all for cleaning up the environment, but we should look to countries like MEXICO and CHINA to start changing their laws on emissions. Just penalizing US companies for pollution is ridiculous. We have the HIGEST standards for pollution control. The EPA does NOT exist in China and Mexico. Also, we need more nuclear energy.

Green wrote on Oct 17, 2007 6:04 AM:Yes, there has been many climate changes in the past. The issue is how humans are now contributing to it's acceleration through neglect and what we can do to slow it's effects. Scientists are identifying the things we can do to curb global warming. Others are content to do nothing, sit back and criticize.

1st Amendment wrote on Oct 17, 2007 6:15 AM:This student better enroll in history, global warming occurs and it is followed by global cooling since the beginning of man kept time.

No one. wrote on Oct 17, 2007 6:25 AM:Is going to listen to a student. Frankly, I don't believe there is anything anyone can do to convince the sceptics. We are doomed.

HS student wrote on Oct 17, 2007 6:36 AM:In their day, I don't think Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble were driving around in gas-guzzling SUVs and polluting the atmosphere. Climate change is ongoing. But today's industrialized societies are the biggest contributors to global warming. Like parasites, humans are systematically depleting Earth's resources. While scientists agree that there's nothing we can do to stop climate change, there's plenty we can be done to slow down global warming if we'd only try.

Great, wrote on Oct 17, 2007 6:44 AM:Just what we need, another lawyer espousing science.

1st Amendment wrote on Oct 17, 2007 7:32 AM:Then pray tell me, why are the other planets heating up? Could it be due to solar flares from the sun? Or is it from SUVs beginning driven on other planets?

Zygo wrote on Oct 17, 2007 7:43 AM:I place myself in the group that believes global warming and cooling occur naturally. Many Norsemen died in Greenland due to a mini ice age, we had a major migration of displaced farmers from the southern plains to California due to a long drought in the 1930's. But, why I support the environmentalists on the issue is because of two reasons. One: Oil resources are finite and need to be preserved. We not only burn processed oil but it is used in many products from simple lubicration to a basic component of plastics. When it is gone, it is gone. And, two, the air we breath. Yes, China and Mexico cause an incredible amount of pollution, but because they are not taking better care of their (our) environment doesn't mean that we should not also.

estevban wrote on Oct 17, 2007 7:47 AM:Al Gore is a leftist loser. He knows nothing and is trying to brainwash society for his benefit. No body should listen to him. What a loon.

Alf wrote on Oct 17, 2007 7:52 AM:Did you know, "1st Amendment", that the Earth existed and "did its own thing" for millions of years before "man kept time"? I'm fairly certain that I know what you meant. Regards, Alf.

Indepedent Thinker wrote on Oct 17, 2007 7:52 AM:Man is a contributor to climate change and that can not be disputed, but ONLY a contributor. Yet the only cause that seems to be getting attention is the one with the niftiest catch phrase attached "Carbon footprint". It does not take a scientist to Google for the affects of Methane on global warming and find incredible amounts of information that it is by far the most prolific cause of climate change. Whether from geological sources or livestock, pound for pound it has 20 times the affect of carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas. Still, no one talks about reducing their beef consumption, which would have a much faster and greater impact on reducing man's contribution to this problem than reducing the burning of fossil fuels. Just because a scientist has a sheepskin hanging on the wall, does not mean they are not subject to institutional thinking. Let's all try to be independent thinkers, do some research on our own, and contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gases in a sane and personal manner. Don't just follow this weeks celebrity, politician or scientific report du jour that has the best catch phrase.

Heads in the Sand wrote on Oct 17, 2007 8:10 AM:It's fortunate that those of you who still believe climate change is not a concern are in the minority. We will have to save the world without your help, but you will benefit just the same. You can thank us later.

To: HS Student wrote on Oct 17, 2007 8:11 AM:Are my taxes paying your teacher to teach what you believe? Is your teacher telling you the earth is flat also? All of us, can't believe what we are told in school and on the internet nor any of the media outlets. We must on our own research. By the way, hope you have a wondefull life and can do something positive for your country.

Interesting wrote on Oct 17, 2007 8:24 AM:"There is no silver bullet," Stillings said.Yes there is. Through tax incentives and penalties, promote 1 child families. Population reduction is THE SILVER BULLET. Inconvenient Truth?______Other planets are heating up too? HOW MUCH? That would be important information. Reference to the information please.

To Heads in the Sand wrote on Oct 17, 2007 8:53 AM:You or I or any number of humans can not save the world, it will kill us all by natural disaster and go on like we never existed. Do not kid yourself or believe the hype. Even if we completely eliminate all the climate changes that came from the industrial revolution, one day the earth/universe will eliminate us from exitence by asteroid, pole shift or super volcanic eruption, it is inevitable. We are the modern dinasours.

Taggart wrote on Oct 17, 2007 9:08 AM:I’m afraid our grandchildren have bigger problems facing them than the weather . . . ballooning debt, inflation, Social Security going broke along with Medicare, with the answer to it all being socialist tyranny. When the solution to a problem is worse than the problem, leave it alone.

Maybe.... wrote on Oct 17, 2007 9:28 AM:Maybe the proof isn't enough for consumers, but it doesn't kill you to at least do your part in keeping the environment clean. I don't know about you, but I like my air and my surroundings clean. Do you seriously need an excuse NOT to do your part because someone is possibly brainwashing you or because it coming from the "left" or whatever your excuse is???

It's Like Smoking... wrote on Oct 17, 2007 9:48 AM:Most people understand that smoking cigarettes can shorten your life. People who smoke may rationalize the behaviour by saying that we're all going to die anyway, so why not smoke. Most people realize that if you were to stop smoking, you could extend your life. Some people would rationalize not stopping by saying that you would probably die by getting hit by a truck, so why not smoke. The point is that, yes, the earth's warming and cooling pattern occurs on its own but within that pattern, human activity can have a definite effect on the length or duratin of the cycle. Humans are naturally resistant to change, so it comes as no surprise that there is vocal criticism about how to deal with the human effects of the warming/cooling cycle. What I have found is that even the most vocal critics will agree with the possibility that humans can effect the cycle. They just don't want to do anything about it! Their arguement is similar to the smoker I mentioned above. It reminds me of a study many years ago that linked the ability to delay gratification with higher cognitive abilites. Basically, those who were able to recognize that sacrifice today could dramatically increase the benefit to you in the future were found to be smarter, more long term oriented, and more confident than those who chose a reward today with no sacrifice.

To Wake Up People wrote on Oct 17, 2007 9:58 AM: We are destroying our world. Wake up people. Just because Bush doesn't believe or understand science doesn't mean you have to follow his lead. " Neither does Al Gore but you listen to him. Have you been to Glacier? I have, At the Athabascar Glacier in Alberta Canada they have signs along the path to the Glacier with dates to mark how it has receeded. The first sign has a date in the mid 1800's and about every 10-15 years after that. My point is that these ice fields were receeding long before any of the so called causes were even around. Here is something to ponder, Everything after an ice age can be considered warming.

Carlsbad wrote on Oct 17, 2007 10:17 AM:Money, Money, Money. ...it is all about getting money. The could care less about the environment. They laugh themselves to sleep at night knowing that people are so stupid to believe their BS and actually carry their water. Damn there are some gullible people out there, and they vote!

Concerned-1 wrote on Oct 17, 2007 10:46 AM:I'm all for most of the solutions, however unrealistic, pointed out in the story. Green is good. That said I am sick and tired of the global warming mentality urging us to buy a certain product to save the planet. It's like gullibility makes the world go 'round now days.

To all you alarmists: wrote on Oct 17, 2007 10:55 AM:If "overpopulation" (the USA is one of the least densely populated countries on earth, and CA is over 80% state and federal parkland and military bases), the modern way of life, and all the progress made in dragging ourselves out of the much of a 36 year life expectancy, 50% infant mortality, bare existence (like still exists in most of the world) is the problem, then prove your commitment to the solution you advocate: Don't reproduce, and live in the pre-industrial way you want the rest of us to live, preferably far away from coastal CA, which you insist is so overpopulated. The rest of us are not going to let you force us to live according to your RELIGION.

Credible...NOT wrote on Oct 17, 2007 11:11 AM:For those of you that weren't around in the 70's scientists said we were heading for another ice age. Today the Arctic ice may be melting and shrinking but the Antartic ice is growing. Also the Sahara is moving Northward at a slow pace while its Southern border is cooling. How is that explained? It would also help if those that are afraid the sky is falling get off the Carbon Offset wagon. This is so phoney and just a way to make the biggest poluters feel good. I guess they think the public is stupid. I have 2 acres so if I plant a bunch of trees I can sell Carbon offsets. Is it just me or do others see how rediculious this thought is? Anything we can do to improve the environment is good but not at the risk of the economy and our standard of living without facts.

MJ wrote on Oct 17, 2007 11:38 AM:"Climate change" has become both a quasi-religion, a political movement and a rather profitable enterprise. For every "scientist" who asserts human causation, there are one or more who are equally, if not more, qualified that dispute the assertions. The "debate" is more marketing hype than anything else. Despite all the argument, nothing is going to happen -- of substance -- a vast majority of people ultimately vote with their pocketbooks and very few are going to be willing to spend their hard earned dollars on smoke and mirrors.

To Mr/Ms Carlsbad wrote on Oct 17, 2007 11:46 AM:Go look up electoral college online. They actually decide the vote.

Really ? wrote on Oct 17, 2007 11:49 AM:The only reason Global Warming now has a prominent voice in politics today is that the capitalists have found out how to make a profit from it. All the things that driving your hybrid car represent were available in th epast ...industry just couldn't sell it and make a profit quick enough. Its always been profitable ...just not in only a couple years. This is why the Toyota Prius is so dominant in the car market ... Toyota was looking at long term profit ...farther out than 5 years and Detroit won't allow themselves to do business that way. We can build more fuel efficient cars ...but industry doesn't because its not as profitable for them...and hey ...the consumers love their huge SUVs, so its not like we aren't helping them keep their head buried in the sand. SAme for efficient homes ...builders want big profits now ...they don't care if you can save $$$ on energy for the life of the house (50 years or more) None of that translates to paying for their CEO bonuses etc. And consumers can't see the merit.... $25 grand for solar panels now so you don't have pay for electricity at all for at least 25 years ? They can't see the increased vlaue of the property since on avg, homeowners change houses in less than 7 years. And hey ...electricity is cheap from the utility ...your return doesn't come for a good 8 or 10 years. But imagine if the track homes built 10 years ago had solar panels that supplied all their electricity ...they would still be working and still not using power from the utility now and for years to come. What a concept ! But hey ... all that logic makes our brains hurt ...better to keep our heds buried in the sand don't you think ? OR better yet ...let's ban driving, smoking, fireplaces, outdoor bar-b-ques, and all small engines like lawn mowers & weed eaters. And don't forget to consider water recycling and conservation. Oh the heck with it ... where ar emy keys ...I need to go buy a new Hummer for my empty carport stall.

Don't worry, be HAPPY wrote on Oct 17, 2007 11:51 AM:We don't have to do nothing! Bush is threating world war III:)

David wrote on Oct 17, 2007 12:25 PM:Global warming or climate change is a fact of life; it has occurred for billions of years and will continue after humans no longer exist. The contribution made by humans to global warming is miniscule and it is pure folly, or incredilbe arrogance, to believe that humans can stop it. Even the so-called scientists pushing this agenda through the corrupt no-credibility U.N. admit that humans cannot stop global warming. Al Gore is simply an attention hungry double-digit I.Q. politician filled with sour-grapes over his 2000 election losses. He will do anything for attention, including lying and perpetuating the biggest propaganda campaign since Hitler's Nazism. Anyone who accepts the Al Gore global warming lie is horribly weak minded, ill-informed and far too anxious to be part of a mindless cult. Did you ever notice how Al Gore and his pals scream about reducing carbon footprints while they themselves squash the planet with their own humongous carbon footprint? If Al is so certain about human caused global warming, why won't he debate anyone publicly about it? And, why won't he make the kind of changes in his life that he's demanding the rest of us make? And why does the so-called Al Gore solution require us to pay higher taxes and fees and transfer U.S. wealth to other parts of the world, with Al Gore and company collecting a piece along the way? The whole thing is a scam, folks, run by liars, hypocrites and megalomaniacs who are supported and encouraged by mindless knee-jerk emotionalist lemmings desperate to be a part of something. By all means, be a better steward of mother earth, but don't believe for a moment that we humans are more powerful than she. And, don't play the fool for another celebrity hungry politician. Study the genuine scientific facts and you'll find this is another huge left-wing chicken-little scam. Remember Alar? Remember Y2K? AAAAHHHH, we're all gonna fry - NOT! By the way, what about all the benefits to a warmer climate?

Skeptic wrote on Oct 17, 2007 12:40 PM:Let's see what happens with global temperatures over the next ten years. I bet Al Gore and the global warming alarmists will look pretty silly when we have a chance to look back.

Inconvenient Facts wrote on Oct 17, 2007 12:56 PM:1. It is the consensus of modern climatologists that global warming is not caused by human activity but rather by changes in solar activity. 2. Ground based measurements of global temperatures are grossly inaccurate as compared to satellite based measurements (Al Gore uses ground based data). 3. The most prevalent greenhouse gas in the atmosphere is H20 4. Carbon dioxide is necessary for the survival of plants and trees 5. Greenhouse gasses occur naturally and are needed to sustain life on this planet

bobaran wrote on Oct 17, 2007 1:05 PM:Actually, the fact that China, Mexico, India, etc. are not considering emissions restrictions IS a damned good reason for us to proceed with caution. We run the risk of regulating ourselves into a third-world economy. The economic impacts of enforcing AB32 CO2 reductions will cost California billions of dollars. Most businesses will move elsewhere (e.g., China, Mexico, India, etc.)

Patriot wrote on Oct 17, 2007 1:06 PM:I'm all for solar photovoltaic panels. I live in a sunny area with a southern exposure. I would love to go solar, but I cannot justify fronting thousands of dollars (or borrowing thousands and paying interest) on a system that will require me to stay put for many years in my house to break even on the expense.

David wrote on Oct 17, 2007 1:32 PM:Liberals have an interesting historical memory. It goes something like this: "First, there was the American Revolutionary War. Then, there was 1980. Name the sweeping national energy policies that Gore helped pass during his eight years in office. You guessed it - zippo.

John E wrote on Oct 17, 2007 2:50 PM:Anthropocentric global warming should be debated on strictly scientific grounds. We need to ignore those on the political left who slavishly believe in it and those on the political right who equally ignorantly deny it. The re-emerging American political center is populated by rational folks who find an economic, military, public health, and environmental win-win-win-win in resource conservation.

What? wrote on Oct 17, 2007 3:15 PM:Silly. Of course humans are not causing global warming. We are simply contributing to it's acceleration.

Population control is not the answer wrote on Oct 17, 2007 3:46 PM:Proof is the fact that the United States has only 5% of the worlds population, but we consume 25% of the resources (and therefore the majority of global warming) The only population that needs controlling is the US population.

To population control is not the answer wrote on Oct 17, 2007 4:22 PM:You said "The only population that needs controlling is the US population" Have you heard about the environmental record of Mexico, India, and China to name a few? Also, what is the nexus between consuming resources and global warming? I am not sure I understand your argument. If we truly need to control the population, I have an idea. Maybe we could look into obtaining San Diego County drinking water from our environmentally superior neighbors to the south.

Steve wrote on Oct 17, 2007 4:22 PM:Even if the polar ice caps melt, and the ocean waters rise, it doesn't mean we're all going die. We'll just learn to live with it. The world's oil supply is only expected to last another 50-100 years. By then, we won't be burning fossil fuels anymore.

Karl wrote on Oct 17, 2007 4:42 PM:David, nice zippo comment, I love it. To all those on this blog blaming President Bush for global warming, aren't you glad that Al Gore invented the internet so that you can reach millions with your views about President Bush? Imagine the headlines ten years from now "Ice Age coming, it's ex-President Bush's fault, former President Hillary Clinton lauded for stopping global warming".

Concerned-1 wrote on Oct 17, 2007 4:48 PM:I am on the side of conservation; however, legislation that drives business away from California is not the answer. I think John E at 2:50 p.m. is on the right track. We need a common sense approach. It is amazing to watch the media and people in general jump on the bandwagon. Amazing...and scary.

To Steve wrote on Oct 17, 2007 5:05 PM:You are right, we will learn to live with it indeed. The problem is that many hundreds of thousands of humans and other living things will die. If there is a way we can make the change less devastating, we would be ethical to consider it instead of an every man for himself attitude.

Hopeful wrote on Oct 17, 2007 5:12 PM:Humans are great at adpating to change, and even better at creating periodic doom and gloom. I'm old enough to remember that we were all supposed to be starving to death by now becasue of the population explosion predicted in the 60's. Yep, the earth is getting warmer, and we're (humans) probably contributing to it (most likely in addition to a nautral warming trend that is taking place at the same time). We will adapt and survive, as we have in the past. In the meantime, we need to figure out a way to live within our energy "means" so that we're not funding evil folks in the middle east. That should be our biggest motivation for reducing energy consumption. I'd like to see these global warming alarmists "walk the talk". Why wasn't this meeting held as a webinar? Did each of the attendants pay a carbon tax for their airfare? (not that those do any good). Just curious.

Alf wrote on Oct 17, 2007 5:32 PM:Well, "Steve", the only way that we won't be burning fossil fuels in the future is if we do two things, 1) Start today to make the options available, not tomorrow. We can not assume that the technology will simply appear. If that means making it uneconomical to use fossil fuels, it may need to be done, although the idea of more government regulations sickens me, how else do we "get the ball rolling NOW? 2) We must get over the idea, the attitude, that our finite resources (crude oil for example) are infinite, "Hey, there's still water coming out of the faucet so there can be no shortage" sort of nonsense. Regards, Alf.

Albert wrote on Oct 17, 2007 5:32 PM:RobertM and Steve nailed it. There are over 6.5 billion people on Earth this very day. 100 years from now all except of few of these 6,500,000,000 will be dead and will be replaced by as many people as the Earth can sustain by 2107. That might be 10+ billion people or it might be 10 people or none at all. Future generations will adjust naturally to the climate changes.

Pappy wrote on Oct 17, 2007 5:43 PM:I took a physics class in 1973. Our class spent a semister proving for a fact that by the year 2000 there would not be any fossil fuels left on the planet. I believed it 100% back then. No opinion today, just a memory.

Follow the Money wrote on Oct 17, 2007 6:39 PM:Global Warming is a Farce, created by the Left to pull more money out of our pockets. This article about a "Fable" is a waste of Ink, Paper and Bandwidth. Global Warming is a Theory and nothing else. We would rather the NCT stick to facts, not fiction.

Chicken Little wrote on Oct 17, 2007 7:35 PM:John Muir showed that all the "snow flowers" on the planet were retreating in 1897... before Henry Ford started mass producing cars. He also pointed out that these massive glaciers are EXTREMELY heavy and the only that can lift that much snow and ice is.... the same SOLAR heat that melts them. The cycle is ~40,000 years and some hominids (without socialist govenerments) have somehow managed to adapt to these changes in the past... When Al Gore shows up to debate the issue maybe I'll be more impressionable. Protect the environment... YES! Global Hysteria... NO.

Slappy wrote on Oct 17, 2007 8:54 PM:I for one would like to see some global warming, Like over Iraq and Iran and N Korea .

Sylvie wrote on Oct 23, 2007 11:06 AM:Ask the firemen who are fighting the californian fires if climate change is really happening? Ask the the islanders who are desperate to save their lands from being engulfed by the rising seas. Ask the the eskimo's. Ask the scientists if it's cosmic rays causing it? They will tell you 'no', and they're glad, because if it was the cause, we'd be stuffed! The good news is we can do something about it and we will have clean air to breathe as a result. So, goodbye dirty industry and gas guzzlers. Clean fuels here we come. Embrace, enjoy, and be a lot lot healthier!

Sylvie wrote on Oct 23, 2007 11:19 AM:Ask the firemen who are fighting the californian fires if climate change is really happening? Ask the the islanders who are desperate to save their lands from being engulfed by the rising seas. Ask the the eskimo's. Ask the scientists if it's cosmic rays causing it? They will tell you 'no', and they're glad, because if it was the cause, we'd be stuffed! The good news is we can do something about man-made global warming and we will have clean air to breathe as a result. So, goodbye dirty industry and gas guzzlers. Clean fuels here we come. Embrace, enjoy, and be a lot lot healthier!