Just the Facts, Ma'am
from an interview with Al Gore:
Q: There's a lot of debate right now over the best way to communicate about global warming and get people motivated. Do you scare people or give them hope? What's the right mix?
Gore: I think the answer to that depends on where your audience's head is. In the United States of America, unfortunately we still live in a bubble of unreality. And the Category 5 denial is an enormous obstacle to any discussion of solutions. Nobody is interested in solutions if they don't think there's a problem. Given that starting point, I believe it is appropriate to have an over-representation of factual presentations on how dangerous it is, as a predicate for opening up the audience to listen to what the solutions are, and how hopeful it is that we are going to solve this crisis.
-----Gore: I think the answer to that depends on where your audience's head is. In the United States of America, unfortunately we still live in a bubble of unreality. And the Category 5 denial is an enormous obstacle to any discussion of solutions. Nobody is interested in solutions if they don't think there's a problem. Given that starting point, I believe it is appropriate to have an over-representation of factual presentations on how dangerous it is, as a predicate for opening up the audience to listen to what the solutions are, and how hopeful it is that we are going to solve this crisis.
I stole this from Opinion Journal.
Later in the interview he suggests nuclear power will not be the answer but cellulosic ethanol might be one. I wonder. Can we grow enough of the stuff to fuel all of the cars the world will have in the future? (Imagining 1 billion more vehicles as poor areas get richer.) I suspect nuclear power combined with an electric car would be the best option, especially because the nuclear power would also be used for normal electric output. Wind and solar power still depend on coal plants being fired up 24-7 in case its a windless overcast day. It would be nice to replace those coal plants because they are the top producers of greenhouse gases.
3 comments:
I've also heard Mr. Gore is concerned about nuclear due to proliferation issues. For a unique inside look at the US nuclear industry, see RadDecision.blogspot.com
don't you think he means 'information overload' in regards to over-representation? like him or hate him, he's not going to say he's fabricating facts just to get a point across (at least not in public).
He uses the word over-representation, but what he means is hyping the worst case scenarios and exaggerating the threat.
http://news.bostonherald.com/national/view.bg?articleid=188169
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/13/science/13gore.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
The Times cites a recent U.N. report’s prediction of a maximum 23-inch ocean rise this century, while Gore claims the ocean will rise 20 feet over an unspecified time, flooding entire cities.
Gore told The Times his movie made “the most important and salient points” about climate change,” but not necessarily “some nuances and distinctions.”
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