[Coral-List] carbon offsetting AND slowing down

[Steve Mussman]

Dear Gene,  

I just wanted to explain that my recent post challenging you to clarify your position on climate change in this forum was not intended as a personal (and/or public) affront. I am well aware of the fact that many eminent marine scientists engaged here think highly of you (as do I) and that that assessment is not contingent upon whether or not we are in agreement on every issue.  Beyond that, we have no choice but to acknowledge that there is still a significant (global) divide related to how climate change is viewed and here, specifically, to its impacts on coral reefs. The current U.S. administration is on record (as recently as this past week) as being unconvinced that the current climate regime is anthropogenic in nature and an imminent and existential threat to the planet. Their policy positions on a number of fronts reflects their continued intransigence on this issue. So it seems we are left firmly entrenched in yet another polarizing divide. Simply put, if we are ever going to have a chance to change this paradigm (as I see it, at least in part to the benefit of the world’s remaining coral reefs) we must find a way to candidly converse with one another in a free flowing exchange of ideas. Meanwhile, I continue to be puzzled by any form of logic that concludes that rising atmospheric CO2 is not highly problematic. Asking you, a man of science, to clarify your position was my way of (hopefully) gaining access to some applicable insights that might lead to broader understanding, not a veiled attempt to harass or embarrass you.  

Sincere regards,  
Steve Mussman 



Sent from my iPad  

On May 31, 2019, at 12:04 PM, Steve Mussman <sealab at earthlink.net> wrote:  






Wait . . . Gene, did you just say that you have “no problem” with what I said?  

That suggests that we are in agreement, no? Have you evolved regarding your attitude/position on climate change?  

Here, ten years ago, (https://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/pipermail/coral-list/2009-March/006938.html) you appeared to be promoting the idea that the science behind anthropogenic climate change was in vogue primarily as a result of media bias and that it was contrarian scientists who were being unfairly shunned by the scientific establishment.  

Would it be presumptive of me to conclude that you have altered your perspective and have “no problem” (i.e. you are in agreement) with the central theme advanced in this recent editorial in Science? https://science.sciencemag.org/content/364/6443/807  

Inquiring minds need to know!  

Regards,  
Steve  






Sent from my iPad  


On Tue, May 28, 2019 at 2:18 PM Eugene Shinn via Coral-List <  
coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov> wrote:  

Steve, I have no problem with what you said.. Just remember that the  
Mark Grable story was published in 1948. Attitudes were quite different  
back then. "Better Living Through Chemistry" was a popular theme back  
then. Gene  

--  


No Rocks, No Water, No Ecosystem (EAS)  
------------------------------------ -----------------------------------  
E. A. Shinn, Courtesy Professor  
University of South Florida  
College of Marine Science Room 221A  
140 Seventh Avenue South  
St. Petersburg, FL 33701  
<eugeneshinn at mail.usf.edu>  
Tel 727 553-1158  
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