To the Editor:
Al Gore makes a cogent argument. What is
distressing to me is the attempt to combine what are two completely
separate issues.
The first is whether the earth is warming or
cooling, or neither. The second is whether the human race is
substantially contributing to this effect.
Mr. Gore’s point is
well taken that climate change in and of itself is here to stay (and, as
theorized, has always been a fact of life on this planet). But the
“mistakes” alluded to affect the much more important second aspect of
the issue—whether we as a species are in charge of our climate, or
merely passengers along for the ride. Going forward, we should keep this
scientific segregation always in mind.
Generoso Pope
Bedford, N.Y., March 1, 2010
Note from KBJ: Why should it matter whether "the human race is substantially contributing" to climate change? It's possible that humans are causing the change, but that there is nothing humans can do to counter it. It's also possible that humans are not causing the change, but that there is something humans can do to counter it. The letter writer assumes, without argument, that if humans are causing the change, they can do something about it. The questions are twofold: (1) Is climate changing? (2) If so, what, if anything, should be done about it? The first is a factual question. The second is an evaluative question.
Keith Burgess-Jackson, J.D., Ph.D. 