Editor:
The debate over climate change, man-made or an act of nature, is usually stifled by less than salutary labels such as “denier” or unsupportable claims such as “the science is settled.”
In fact, the science is not settled because the catastrophic effects predicted due to increases in carbon dioxide are only projections. Climatologists have difficulty predicting next week’s weather, much less that of the next century. Don’t forget that as recently as the 1970s, the next ice age was soon to be upon us, according to the latest “science.”
Supporters claim that the vast majority of scientists support the theory; ergo, it must be true. Science is not a popularity contest. It is a statement of fact. In last week’s Coast Reporter, Margrett George dismissed Mr. Rhodes as “not a climate scientist” and “a paid speaker” and therefore his opinion was not valid because he is a biologist. Strange that so many believers accept David Suzuki’s opinion as beyond question, and yet he is a geneticist, not a climate scientist.
The taxpayers of Canada just sent 383 delegates to the climate conference in Paris, more than the U.S., England and Australia combined. Our new leader committed $1.6 billion to the UN to fund this theoretical problem, and we will be forced through taxation and fees to fund billions more domestically. Canada produces less than two per cent of the world’s carbon dioxide. We should reduce our carbon usage where is it reasonable to do so, but not sacrifice our economy in the process. The science is not settled.
Gordon Politeski, Halfmoon Bay
