Clearing the PR Pollution that Clouds Climate Science

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Bill Miller

8 February 07

Only 13 per cent of Republicans believe humans cause global warming in new poll

Tags: Bill Miller, EU, General, National Journal, Political, republican war on science, Science, united nations, United Nations, US

In April 2006, National Journal polled members on both sides of the aisle whether they believed global warming is man made and 98 per cent of Democrats said yes versus 23 per cent of Republicans. When the magazine asked the same question last week , only 13 per cent of congressional Republicans answered yes compared with 95 per cent of Democrats.

Meanwhile, the leading international network of climate scientists has concluded for the first time that global warming is “unequivocal” and that human activity is the main driver, “very likely” causing most of the rise in temperatures since 1950.

They said the world was in for centuries of climbing temperatures, rising seas and shifting weather patterns — unavoidable results of the buildup of heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere. But the report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change also said warming and its harmful consequences could be substantially mitigated by prompt action.

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Submitted by The City Troll (not verified) on Thu, 2007-02-08 14:47.

Is this the same report that stated that cattle flatulence was responsible for Global warming that came out of the UN? A United Nations report has identified the world's rapidly growing herds of cattle as the greatest threat to the climate, forests and wildlife. And they are blamed for a host of other environmental crimes, from acid rain to the introduction of alien species, from producing deserts to creating dead zones in the oceans, from poisoning rivers and drinking water to destroying coral reefs. The 400-page report by the Food and Agricultural Organisation, entitled Livestock's Long Shadow, also surveys the damage done by sheep, chickens, pigs and goats. But in almost every case, the world's 1.5 billion cattle are most to blame. Livestock are responsible for 18 per cent of the greenhouse gases that cause global warming, more than cars, planes and all other forms of transport put together.

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Matthew Nisbet has a good

Submitted by Geoff (not verified) on Thu, 2007-02-08 09:15.

Matthew Nisbet has a good take on the results here: http://scienceblogs.com/framing-science/2007/02/two_americas_on_global_warming.php

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About the climate cover-up

Democracy is utterly dependant upon an electorate that is accurately informed. In promoting climate change denial (and often denying their responsibility for doing so) industry has done more than endanger the environment. It has undermined democracy.

There is a vast difference between putting forth a point of view, honestly held, and intentionally sowing the seeds of confusion. Free speech does not include the right to deceive. Deception is not a point of view. And the right to disagree does not include a right to intentionally subvert the public awareness.

Although all public relations professionals are bound by a duty to not knowingly mislead the public, some have executed comprehensive campaigns of misinformation on behalf of industry clients on issues ranging from tobacco and asbestos to seat belts.

Lately, these fringe players have turned their efforts to creating confusion about climate change. This PR campaign could not be accomplished without the compliance of media as well as the assent and participation of leaders in government and business.

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