englishpod_E0102dg

Elementary ‐ Global View ‐ Global Warming
(C0102)
A: And therefore, global warming is the greatest deception
of the early 21st century. Questions?
B: Uh& yeah. In the lecture you said theres more evidence
in the scientific record supporting global cooling?
A: Well, yes, essentially, the historical record supports a
theory of climate cycles. Warming and cooling are
cooperating processes in the planetary eco-system.
B: If thats true and the planet is getting cooler, what
explains the rapid melting of the polar ice caps and the
dramatic rise in the global average temperatures?
A: But are global temperatures rising? If you look at the
data from nineteen seventy-five youll&
B: Youll be misled. If you were serious, you would look at
the record starting in the 1880s. Then you would see how
dramatically the earths temperature has changed.
A: Young lady, I beg to differ. Look, the point of the
lecture was to emphasize that there is evidence for both
sides, and I’m putting forth the argument that there’s
greater evidence in support of the global cooling
hypothesis. Look, it’s an indisputable fact that the public is
being manipulated and scared into believing theres some
kind of climate crisis; this scaremongering is done, quite
simply, for political reasons.
B: But even without the uncomfortable reality that
greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide contribute to global
warming, isnt the topic appropriate for politicians to
discuss?
A: Not if they want to use your tax dollars and mine to
fund completely unnecessary initiatives.
B: Yeah, like conservation, protecting endangered species
and investing in renewable energy. At the very least, you
have to concede that this debate has the potential to end
our dependence on foreign oil. Buying oil supports
autocratic countries that use these revenues to devastating
ends.
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A: Why, Ive never been so disrespected in all of my days.
I’m a professor, a scientist and researcher of high regard.
B: Yeah, and a duplicitous one at that. Everyone knows
youre in the pocket of the oil lobby. Why should we trust
your so-called findings more than tobacco institute studies
which say smoking doesnt harm health? Youre full of it.
A: Some people just cannot handle civil debate!