I also consider the human nature aspect of the argument to be very compelling; that careers have been made on the global warming bandwagon, and that billions of dollars are at stake, and in that context, pursuit of truth takes a back seat. Sadly, academia and science are as political if not more so than any other manifestations of human organization.

The goals of the global warming movement actually are laudable — up to a point — but for reasons having little to do with global warming. Ceasing the sending of hundreds of billions of dollars to the insane states of the Middle East is reason enough to wean ourselves from dependency on oil, and to do so in an urgent manner.

In 1911, the arrival of Halley’s Comet caused near-panic in large groups of people when it was thought the Earth would pass through its tail causing wide-spread death. None of that turned out to be true.

I mention that incident because the prevailing knowledge at the time seemed to be sure that it would happen and also that it would not happen, depending on who you asked. Only afterwards, did the general populations of the world see that the comet passing at that time posed no danger.

I wonder how much money, time, and effort was wasted by both sides of that debate before the outcome was generally understood to be safe?

Humans messing around with national economies for the sake of potential environmental concerns may be more dangerous than the effects of the seas rising? Wars, which we have discussed, have been caused by economic instabilities.

I say do more research over the next twenty years and see what to do then. I know from previous research the fluorocarbon emissions from Freon will be remaining in the atmosphere for about 300 years from now, even though that use has been banned for many years. Maybe we’ll find the effects of using other refrigerants as substitutes will be responsible for even more catastrophic damage?

I see the problems as real when they are understood in well-founded science. No one knew Madam Currie was killing herself with radiation when she was learning about radium. Her science helps millions today. What is she had been stopped by suspicions before the process would be understood. We might have lost those million of people.

The world is a complicated place. We don’t wish to doom future generations in any way if we can help it. But I don’t believe we know enough right now to know how to act.

I may never feel confident about it because it is a very complex subject.

Don