If that’s true, then you know two things.

a) “Predictions” in the IPCC publications are described as potential outcomes based on observed, tested and quantified trends, and generally quantified as to likelihood. I realize you folks are fond of claiming that the IPCC reports assert things like “millions are going to die”, as you claimed above – that’s utter nonsense. They say no such thing. (Who did say that, by the way? Who were you quoting in your previous post?)

b) The predictions that HAVE been made in the four major rounds of findings published HAVE occurred – fairly modest statements of the “if hyphesis X is correct, then we can expect to see more of Y”. Those are being born out every day, I’m afraid.

Do they still support Harper?
Do they not see that by continuing to spout Harper’s old line after he’s adopted a new, enlightened outlook they are talking against their leader?
Do they want to give the impression that their is a hidden agenda and that Harper doesn’t really believe what he’s saying?
Do they want to sacrifice the economic opportunities that big business sees in the shift to green?

“Its laughable to think anyone can reliably predict what is going to happened to populations, plants, animals, etc in 5-10 years, let along 2080″

Wasn’t the first draft of Harper’s ludicrous Clean Air Act that set targets for 2050?

30-odd years ago, scientists predicted the extinction of the grey wolf unless human action was taken. Action was taken and the grey wolf was saved from the brink of extinction. THe same scenario has played out over the past 30 or 40 years since we started looking at the environment a bit differently and started making concerted efforts to prevent species from becoming extinct.

Scare tactics? What about that absurd Terror Threat Level – Blue-Green-Yellow-Orange-Red thing?

Extreme weather kills more people every year than terrorism and war combined. To some degree, we can predict hurricanes, floods, etc. and we can act to protect our citizens from catastrophe. If we spent as much on the mitigation of the real threat of extreme weather events as we spend responding to the phony, trumped-up, terrorist threat, thousands of lives would be saved annually. No guns or tanks or bombers needed. Too bad for the armsmakers and their government customers who are the most obscene fearmongers at work today.

JB

Try actually reading the summary volumes, Greg. Not cherrypicking quotes from ideological blogs, or relying on distorted media summaries. Seriously.

Thanks Tips, but I’ve read it. It’s full of scare predicted consequences to events that are supposed to happen decades/centuries from now.

Its laughable to think anyone can reliably predict what is going to happened to populations, plants, animals, etc in 5-10 years, let along 2080.

Whoops, sorry. I take it back: Conservative thought DOESN’T evolve. I stand corrected.

Absolutely. And which report said that “millions ARE GOING to die” and “mass extinctions ARE GOING to occur”? I’m afraid I missed those.

“The IPCC report is classic fear mongering, simple as that.”

Try actually reading the summary volumes, Greg. Not cherrypicking quotes from ideological blogs, or relying on distorted media summaries. Seriously.

One of the findings of the report is that the poorest people in the world will be hit the hardest, because they cannot afford to adapt, much like you or I could.

When (some) conservatives talk about climate change and fear-mongering, they dismiss it because it ‘won’t be that bad’ or ‘it’s not worth the economic penalties to address it’.

Very few of the vocal climate change deniers (or whatever you call yourself now) even begin to consider the impact it will have on the very people who will be hit hardest. Sure, your RRSP and investments may take a hit if we take substantial measures to address the problem, but are you even thinking about the people living in Bangledesh? East Timor? Nunavut?

Nope – looking out for #1 as usual.

Also, you dismiss the potential impacts on wildlife. Mass extinctions may not matter much to you, but scientists who know more about climate change than you or I know that hundreds, maybe thousands of species will go extinct. Once again, this means nothing to you and your middle-class lifestyle, but for those who are genuinely concerned about the environment, this is something to think about. Many (though not all) animals lack the adaptive qualities we humans enjoy.

As an aside, for someone who talks of fear-mongering, I would be interested in what you have to think about the run-up to the Iraq War.

The point of the post wasn’t to question whether global warming is occurring (the earth has been warming and cooling since creation), or whether humans are responsible. It is to question the rational of the IPCC’s doomsday language.

FYI – the earth has been warming for thousands of years – hence why we’re not longer stuck in a glacial period. To say millions are going to die and mass extinctions are going to occur while not taking into consideration human kinds ability to adapt is disingenuous and misleading.

The IPCC report is classic fear mongering, simple as that.

Them pore fellers an’ gals who been singin’ outta Steve’s hymnal got the pew pulled out from under ‘em. They maybe ain’t as willowy as their bossmen an’ they ain’t figgered out how to shift direction an’ pander to publick opinion like their bosses. They also didn’t get the memo from their big bizness corporate masters who seen the light an’ see megatonnes of green cash profits in the green movement.

The biggest trroublem fer Steve is that when his cheerleaders are deniers an’ he sez he ain’t, it leaves the impression of a hidden agenda. Them deniers at thePolitic’d be the first ones t’ go all crybaby on the hidden agenda accusation but they’re the very ones who’s makin’ it look that way.

If Steve wants t’ convince Canajuns he’s left the denier camp, he’s gonna hafta do a better job o’ gettin’ his minions t’ fall into line an’ change their tune. If he can’t get his Boogin’ Tory goon squad t’ start singin’ off the same page, he looks like a weak leader… a weak leader with a hidden agenda.

JimBobby