Local "environmentalist", taxpayer, scientist, right-wing nutjob worried about global warming...

[bbernardini]

...but is worried that trying to do anything about it might increase his food costs and cause traffic accidents:

http://snipurl.com/1qivr

Some choice quotes:

"After all, since man-made carbon dioxide emissions account for less than 5 percent of all greenhouse gases, water vapor being the most abundant by far, how can anyone argue that humans are the principal cause of global warming or believe that we can have a significant impact on climate change?"

"Diane Herrin’s contention that “there is a near unanimous scientific consensus that there is human contribution to global climate change, except for those who are funded by Exxon” implies that we all agree that humans are the main cause of global warming unless we work for “Big Oil.” The “handful” of scientists who doubt this assertion includes me, and at least 17,000 other scientists who signed the Global Warming Project petition in 1998. I have yet to see a similar display of unity and conviction from the scientists who claim that humans are the main cause of Gobal warming."

"However, when the underlying reason for this effort is so blatantly false and political, I can’t help but worry that the result will be bigger government, more dangerous roads, and higher costs for everyone."

[bbernardini]

1. Kick!

[pansypoo53219]

2. well, if she is anti-migrant

another stupid. without illegal/migrant mexicans, we would be paying a lot more for fruit and veggies.

and if we all have to take mass transit, how would traffic be worse?

[bbernardini]

3. This is a different local idiot, actually.

:)

[bbernardini]

4. Kick!

[bbernardini]

5. Anybody have any thoughts on how to refute this goofus? nt

[riverdeep]

6. Shorter version-

"yeah, the environment is a concern, but I can't be bothered". Voluntary measures alone, won't work. Systemic change is needed. This doesn't mean exclusively government, but government is an intricate part of the solution. If you have a modest home, conserve energy, bike, etc., and your neighbor down the road drives a Hummer, has a McMansion, uses disposable everything, there's no net benefit. The problem of the commons.

http://www.usabilityfirst.com/glossary/term_56.txl

Making sure everyone has to play by the same rules or experience harsh penalties is the only way around it. Again, this doesn't always mean governmental solutions.

As for the validity of climate change, here's a resource.

http://www.realclimate.org/