Global Warming--letter to Dr. Noreskes, UCSD

Dear Dr. Noreskes,
I was just aimlessly channel surfing when I came upon your talk about politics and climate change. It was riveting. Thanks for standing up for the future generations of our world.

You mentioned three reasons why the scientific consensus about the reality of climate change and its cause are not presented well in the media or by scientist themselves. I know your time was short but you only alluded to the three main reasons I would have picked.

First a deliberate disinformation campaign carefully crafted by large corporations to confuse the issues—similar to what the tobacco companies have done for years regarding the addictiveness of tobacco and its role in cancer pathology. The “Wise Use” movement was one of the oil and timber industries first ventures into lying to the public.

Second the funding of “hired gun” manipulators of public perceptions—Rush Limbaugh the FOX news network whose revenues depend solely on major corporations buying ad time. The power of talk radio and FOX to manipulate public opinion and voting patterns is unprecedented in our history and frightening.

Third is orchestrated intimidation of scientist by phony think tanks like The Competitive Enterprise and American Enterprise Institute as well as opinion drivers like Limbaugh Lars, O’Reilly and Hannity. The think tanks were conceived and funded by corporate interests to deceive the public and organize attacks on science and scientists. The talk radio hosts do the same. You mentioned the name calling emails you received. But you must also have wondered about the quiet behind the scenes affects on your career and your ability to get on cable news, get articles or books published etc. Speaking out is not worth the risk for most in the scientific community.

I do commend you on your courage in a noble cause. Our children’s only chance for a reasonably predictable and safe future is if rationalists like you prevail. I do not hold out much hope of that happening. But nearly hopeless is not completely impossible. Please keep up the good fight.

Both of my children graduated from UCSD. I am so glad that people of your caliber are professors there.

Sincerely Peter Welch
darwindad@cox.net