Do you believe Exxon withheld Global Warming data and studies from the US govt?

[reddread]

if not, what responsibility does our government bear?
should this be an issue in the upcoming election, or will
flag burning make a comeback?

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

1. I don't have enough data to believe or disbelieve.

But I certainly don't find it outside of the realm of possibility, or even unlikely that they would in their singleminded pursuit of money.

[pscot]

2. Flag burning?!? Where???

[edhopper]

3. Probably

but it's immaterial since about 99.5% of all climate scientist say GCC is real and an imminent threat.

But most Americans will ignore it next election.

[davidn3600]

4. Most people will shrug their shoulders not knowing what to do about it anyway

Our entire economy and way of life today is based on fossil fuels.

[edhopper]

5. Which could be changes rather quickly

to renewables.

German is on it's way to produce all of it's electricity with renewables. (target 2050)

[davidn3600]

6. But we have no such plan

Carter tried to get things moving on an energy plan 30 years ago, but there was no political will by anyone else. And even today finding common ground on energy is near impossible in the present political climate.

Most of the GOP do not even think climate change is happening. And as for everyone else, gas is $2.15 a gallon. Electricity prices are stable and low for years. Why spend $50,000+ on a Tesla or pay $50,000 to put solar panels on the roof?

[yeoman6987]

7. Really good point. Until alternatives are much cheaper and easier to do

The $2.15 gas and really low electric bills will suffice. I think it is in the hands of the alternative energy's hand right now. Very few can afford 30K for solar panels even with tax breaks or a Telsa.

[edhopper]

9. Except we can

even in Texas, due to wind farms, energy is free at times.

http://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nighttime-is-right-time-for-free-power-in-texas/

[yeoman6987]

10. I don't know how many people can drop 20-30 grand for solar

That is what my neighbors did and the are saving about 15 dollars difference from me not having solar. My bill was 59 dollars for 2000 square foot home and they had 41 for same home style.

[edhopper]

11. It would take a concerted effort

of the Government,private industry and individuals. As it is being done in Germany and elsewhere.

Read the article, it's about wind farms in Texas resulting in periods of free electricity.

We could be fossil fuel free in a few decades.

The alternative is catastrophic.

[edhopper]

8. I agree

I didn't mean to say we will, only that we can.

[reddread]

12. important to know there was a turning point, and culprits

lest they escape recognition, who fundamentally enhanced our climate crisis. KNOWINGLY.
CAFE standards were knocked back by Reagan/Bush deRegulators and cheated around by the motor vehicle industry for a long time.
Thats a lot of people looking the other way. Hard to maintain my grudge against VW, in retrospect.