ext_346115 ([identity profile] ddstory.livejournal.com) wrote in [community profile] talkpolitics2015-09-23 05:39 pm

Even the Pontiff is being reasonable about climate change

To those conservatives, both Catholic and protestant, who get really worked up when their rigid boundaries are moved a fraction of an inch to the left or the right, consider just how "radical" the Pope has really been. All these "left-wing" organizations and individuals endorse action on climate change:

- The US Department of Defense.
- Every science academy and scientific professional society in the world (197 of them).
- NASA.
- NOAA.
- All major universities.
- Practically all peer-reviewed research papers.
- 97% of climate scientists actively engaged in research.
- Republicans George P Shultz, Hank Paulson, Lindsey Graham, Bob Inglis (President of Energy and Enterprise Org), Eli Lehrer (President of Free Enterprise R Street Org), Jerry Taylor (President of the Niskanen Institute)...
- Steve LaTourette, Mike Castle, Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins, Olympia Snow, Sherwood Boehlert, Chris Collins, Mike Kirk, Bob Corker, Mike Bloomberg...
- According to a Yale Study, 52% of Republicans nationwide.
- ConservAmerica.org.
- CitizensClimateLobby.Org.
- The US Episcopal Church.
- The Catholic Church (obviously).
- Katharine Hayhoe (evangelical Christian and climate scientist).
- Republicen.Org.
- The US administration.
- Nearly all world leaders.

And to the uncommitted 48% of Republicans: What say you? Want to remain at the wrong side of history on yet another important issue? The Pope is Catholic, therefore he's irrelevant, HUH? Is that it?

[identity profile] sandwichwarrior.livejournal.com 2015-09-28 03:43 am (UTC)(link)
That's not what the fight is about though.

The argument is not clean rivers vs. dirty rivers. It's whether a ~5% reduction in CO2 emissions is worth a ~20% hike in food or gas prices. Or whether regulatory agents should be bound by their own regulations.

If you're going to build a political platform around the evils of fossil fuels or industrial agriculture you need to remember that the coal-miners and farmers also get a vote.

[identity profile] kylinrouge.livejournal.com 2015-09-28 10:07 pm (UTC)(link)
Are you really defending coal dependence right now?

[identity profile] sandwichwarrior.livejournal.com 2015-09-28 10:13 pm (UTC)(link)
Hardly, I'm pointing out why your "dumping sludge into a river" analogy is a red herring.

[identity profile] kylinrouge.livejournal.com 2015-09-29 03:28 am (UTC)(link)
Actually, you just dodged my question like 3 times. I'm not asking for your salient analysis on what you think is happening, I am asking about objective improvements to the environment as a result of it. It's undeniable that environmental efforts have reduced air pollution in places like LA monumentally, and I don't think it was part of some elaborate conspiracy.
Edited 2015-09-29 03:28 (UTC)

[identity profile] sandwichwarrior.livejournal.com 2015-10-01 05:58 pm (UTC)(link)
I am not dodging the question, I am rejecting your assumption about lack of reason.

[identity profile] kylinrouge.livejournal.com 2015-10-04 03:16 am (UTC)(link)
Is it really so hard to understand what I'm saying? Let me break this down for you:

Anti-pollution laws that have lead to noticeable levels of pollution decrease. Worth it?