Calbear94 wrote:RaiderFan wrote:Calbear94 wrote: but for the U.S. whose lead in the development of alternative energy, which I feel is crucial to its longterm economic position.
The U.S. will develop the alternative energy solution when the free market demands it. That's the beauty of capitalism and the free market.
We don't have as free a market as you may believe. Oil companies have powerful political lobbies. And just as much as the media likes to profit off of pro-global warming stories, there is money to be made by promoting contrary views. In the 1980s, when solar panels first came out they were enormously expensive, but almost 30 years later the technology is surprisingly affordable. The knock on Windmill technology used to be that it couldn't produce enough power to meet our needs, but the blades have gotten longer, thinner, and lighter. Oil companies don't want us to catch on that most alternative energy sources are now mature. Americans love their SUVs, and they react with hostility towards any perceived rhetoric that threatens their lifestyle. We already have flexible fuel SUVs. Lets take the next step towards flexible energy...electricity plus ethanol. Unless we tell our government representatives that we want change, they will listen to the more vocal interests...the powerful lobbies.
I've read all of the posts in this thread, and you've come close to having me ram my head staight through this keyboard tonight!!! Everyone's got the right to have their own opinions and beliefs, but I just don't understand how ANYONE who is aware that the earth has gone through more than one ice age, believes in man-made global warming!!!??? Did the cavemen fart a lot in the caves to get it warm again? Maybe it was all of those damn global-warming wooly mamoths? Those smart bastards knew Al Gore was coming!
Seriously, how do you explain the earth heating up and cooling off BEFORE the invention of the internal combustion engine? The temperatures were at some of the lowest on record during the 30's and 40's (The huge beginning of the industrial evolution)!!! This was also at a time before the EPA controlled how much pollution the factories around this country could produce.
The U.S. may not have signed a friggin environmental treaty, but look at the environmental laws here verses China and the other countries you listed. Do you think their factories produce less toxins, or greenhouse gases? If so, you are saddly mistaken my friend!
Another point is this...Just because the "overwhelming majority" (To be another arguement) of scientists say one thing, doesn't mean a damn thing! The "Overwhelming majority" of scientists believed the earth to be flat at one point, that blood-letting was healthy, that the sun revolved around the earth, as well as a number of other major scientific screw-ups! Just because it's polular to believe certain things, doesn't make them true! Most scientists are too afraid to speak their actual beliefs from fear of losing grants, as well as they're jobs! Who in they're right mind WOULD speak up?
The same arguement goes to the scientists who don't believe in evolution. How many of THOSE scientists do you think get any of their research published in the scientific journals? NONE!!! Teachers and scientists alike have been removed from positions and careers for simply not going along with popular beliefs. These are the same teachers that say it's okay to pray in school, as well as hear "Merry Christmas" at Wal-mart. Heaven forbid we offend someone who doesn't believe in Christ! I know it may seem off subject, but many of you will agree. It's the left-wing liberals that shove this "Global warming" stuff down your thoat, that are ruining this country!
Calbear94...you said the earth's temperature has risen 4-5 degrees in the last century. Tell me, where did you come up with those facts??? I'm just curious, because this is the first place I've read of such a jump in temperature! Let me know!
Jim