[Coral-List] La Nina and global warming

[Ed Blume]

Let me add a comment from the political side, since I'm not a scientist, but
I've been professionally involved as staffer, lobbyist, advocate, campaign
manager, protestor, and more in Wisconsin state politics for many, many
years.

Politicians don't like to make decisions with different sides at odds with
each other.  You'd think that's why they ran for office, but it doesn't seem
so.

Whether Republicans or Democrats, they're likely to say, as I've heard them
say many times, "Why don't all of you on all these opposing sides of the
issue go off and resolve your differences?  When you have agreement among
yourselves, come back and we'll consider some legislative action."

The political aversion to picking sides does not bode well for any
foreseeable political movement on climate change until the scientific
community comes to (or convinces elected officials that they have come to)
near-concensus that the situation demands action.

Ed Blume
Diver, reef enthusiast, and political junkie
Madison, WI





On Sun, Nov 14, 2010 at 12:39 PM, Steve Mussman <sealab at earthlink.net>wrote:

>  Got to admit, Gene's climate change "pokings" can sometimes be
> disquieting.
> But at the same time this discourse should be vigorously encouraged.
> The positions that he conveys, though inciting consternation, stand as a
> reminder of the extent and complexity of the task at hand.
>  No one seriously involved in the debate relating to anthropogenic
> climate change is suggesting that the skeptics are "dummies". Quite the
> contrary,
> one of the most disturbing aspects of this discussion is the fact that many
> contrarians are scientifically literate and most certainly capable of
> complex
> intellectual analysis. Though Gene seems to preclude many members of
> congress
> from this group, politicians will simply continue to do what politicians
> do.
> That is to say, they will position themselves on the issues based on what
> is
> most likely to result in prolonging their incumbency.
>  Again this realization prioritizes the need for more effective
> communication
> by the scientific community directly designed to affect public opinion.
> If the best climate science becomes more clearly expressed, it will change
> public
> opinion and the politicians will follow. Expecting insightful political
> leaders
> to courageously rise up and advance the fight on principle will likely
> prove futile.
> But don't underestimate them, our politicians can understand the science.
> Its just that first and foremost their interests lay in the next election
> cycle,
> not in the ramifications of policy positions that may not damage their
> prospects
> for decades.
>
>    As Gene mentioned, the political winds have recently changed.
> Perhaps he is spot on to suggest that the focus of concern should be to
> assure
> that pure science weathers this storm. For although there is little
> evidence of
> adequate resolve, I hesitate to envision the resulting turmoil engulfing
> future
> generations if science surrenders.
>
>  Steve
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