DENIAL OF GLOBAL WARMING

Someone who I have known for a long time and have only more recently distanced myself from commented on one of my pages about an article I posted in which a senator from Oklahoma claimed that polls show Americans aren't buying the propaganda on Global Warming. I had said in my post that I'd been hearing about global warming as an environmental issue since grade school. Only more recently has there seemed to be such a backlash to the evidences presented by climatologists. More specifically, I think that the current backlash is one involving rising fuel prices and justification for our current level of usage of fossil fuels. Those denying global warming as a fact don't want to take any responsibility for their participation in its destructive effects, and don't want to feel like they have to cut back on their lifestyles in order to help stop its continued escalation.

The person who is now more of a former friend, who had left comments was quoting facts and using numbers that, even if right, are weak attempts to counter the incontrovertible evidence of melting ice caps, rising temperatures, and the death of many species. Even more disturbing than their denial of the obvious evidence is their basic dismissal of the ideology behind attempts to preserve the environment, that of working to stave of extinctions and help create healthy habitats. These are important whether you believe in climate change or not and are philosophies that pro-gun, pro-death penalty and pro-War in Iraq conservatives can't come close to appreciating.