How Sex, Politics, Money and Religion are Killing Planet Earth

Friday, July 15, 2011

Global Climate Change Questionnaire

Readers,

The following questions on global climate change are designed to determine the scope of public opinion on the subject. Please see the previous post explaining why I am doing this. I would be very appreciative if you would copy and paste the questions into an email message, answer them, and send them to me. Or, leave responses as comments below. Please rest assured that all information will remain anonymous, and all opinions are welcome.

1-         Please describe your beliefs on global climate change. Do you think the planet is getting warmer? And if so, do you believe this is occurring because of human activities?

2-         Please describe your religious beliefs.

3-         How would you describe your political views?

4-         How do you obtain news and information? Is there a particular media source that you watch or read regularly?

5-         Are you familiar with the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change? If so, what is your opinion of the group?

6-         What is your level of education?

7-         What do you do for a living?

8-         What are your views on environmentalism?

9-         What is your age group? 15-25? 26-35? 36-50? 50-65? 65 and above?

10-       If you do not believe humans are contributing to global climate change, why?

11-       How serious do you believe global climate change is? Not serious at all? Slightly serious? Very serious? Or critical?

12-       What is your opinion of people who have views different to your own? And how would you describe your willingness to communicate with people with opposing views?

13-       Do you believe that the climate change issue is a scientific one or a political one? Why?

14-       Do you think that regulation and investment in alternative energy will be good or bad for the United States? Why?

15-       How adamant are you about your views? Could any information change your mind?

16-       Do you have anything else to add?





25 comments:

  1. 1- Please describe your beliefs on global climate change. It's happening. It's always happening.
    Do you think the planet is getting warmer? All credible evidence says "Yes, the planet is getting warmer."
    And if so, do you believe this is occurring because of human activities? Yes, human activities are the predominant cause of the present global warming.

    2- Please describe your religious beliefs. None.

    3- How would you describe your political views? Liberal

    4- How do you obtain news and information? A select few internet websites
    Is there a particular media source that you watch or read regularly? The BBC and PBS TV News; The Economist, The Nation magazines.

    5- Are you familiar with the UN International Panel on Climate Change? Yes.
    If so, what is your opinion of the group? IPCC is much improved since Chris Landsea resigned.

    6- What is your level of education? Ph.D.

    7- What do you do for a living? Retired oceanographer

    8- What are your views on environmentalism? I'm for it.

    9- What is your age group? 65 and above.

    11- How serious do you believe global climate change is? Critical!!

    12- What is your opinion of people who have views different to your own? I respect some people who hold views that differ from mine.
    And how would you describe your willingness to communicate with people with opposing views? I regularly communicate with people some of whose views differ from mine.

    13- Do you believe that the climate change issue is a scientific one or a political one? Climate change is a scientific fact. It should be a political issue.

    14- Do you think that regulation and investment in alternative energy will be good or bad for the United States? Energy alternatives would make the country safer and more sustainable.

    15- How adamant are you about your views? I believe that John Maynard Keynes had it right: "When the facts change, I change my mind. What do you do, sir?" Could any information change your mind? Yes, if the information is credible.

    16- Do you have anything else to add? I have nothing more to say, and I've said it.

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  2. I might have a go at that too...though I wonder how a newsblogger with an appreciation of political lying and institutional corruption might fare.
    Frankly, I had been reasonably unconscious of Anthropogenic Global Warming until I started wondering about U.S.foreign policy towards Iran - where whatever they did affected U.S. responses not the least...or even negatively ! Slowly it percolated through my consciousness that there were institutional drivers in play to provide Talking Points circumscribing response so as to continue assault with systemic lies which were presented in English media as analysis. So this caught my attention.
    http://www.larouchepub.com/other/2007/sci_techs/3423init_warming_hoax.html
    That's just the start of the story - which crashed when Blogger 'ate' my files of the clash over 'framed' argumentation using Rand Corp. Poisoning the Well presentations.
    http://opitslinkfest.blogspot.com/2010/03/climate.html has new content now. Revelations about the 'Denier' meme should include the NPT TRAP and the latest on corporate skulduggery
    See today's Blogs I'm Following and from the Topical Index Perception Alteration

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  3. Anyway : your quiz
    1) Is climate changing ? Sure. Heat distribution from the Gulf of Mexico was dissipating in the North Atlantic Conveyor last winter instead of warming Europe : or the heat wasn't being collected in the first place because of the presence of oil.The arctic was getting more of available heat : a distribution pattern not seen for 2 eons was in play.
    2) Religious beliefs. I was raised Protestant ( Christian ) : I am skeptical of the value of programmed belief systems - especially as regards science.
    3) Political views. Politics is a farce to divert people from the kleptocracy underpinning a system reallocating stolen property.
    4) I obtain news and information from a system of RSS links in various aggregators that I use in preference to reading somebody else's preferred sources of lies.
    5) The IPCC ? It is a political ploy which will steal funds needed for technological changes. The theory it is a system to tax the planet for the use of fire seems sound. Certainly smaller nations ran for cover at Copenhagen when the Danes blew the whistle on a switched set of briefing papers. Carbon credits have been responsible for polluters continuing in operation as they game the system.
    6) Level of education ? I finished high school. But asking a bookworm what his formal education is verges on total irrelevancy.
    7) I've worked as anything from a banker in training, purchasing agent,warehouse manager,truck driver,construction labourer,dairy plant worker, to janitor.
    8) Environmentalism. We don't seem to know the meaning of the word. Agriculture follows practices guaranteeing catastrophic collapse and disease generation. Water is taken out of circulation according to the dictates of a monopolistic empire setting up global slavery.
    9) Age 50-65
    10) It isn't a matter of what I believe. It is rather a matter that basic data is insufficient for me to know that reliable modeling is more than a con game : even if one could reliably project endless complexity of unknown processes which are innately impossible to measure. Simplifying a thesis down to the point where a model may be conjured up is meaningless.
    11)How serious ? Compared to what and for whom ? It's tough to judge when supposedly reliable people are suborned by their conditions of employment and association. That speaks to both 'sides' of a false dichotomy.
    12) Opinion of those holding contrary beliefs. It makes for an interesting and illuminating world...so long as certainty is not your measure of 'knowledge'.
    13) I believe climate change is a military/political football. The why lies in opportunism of control and offensive/aggressive action.
    14) Regulation. It is generally unwise to suppress innovation - which is where the 'greening' process stands yet. There are no mature technologies where such is a plausible idea.
    15) Could information change my mind ? Given that I constantly seek information the answer is obvious : Yes.
    16) More to add ? I'm sure I will.

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  4. Anonymous, Thank you very much for taking the time to answer the questionnaire.

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  5. Opit, Your answers certainly are thought-provoking. I would appreciate it if you could clarify a couple of points:

    Question 1 - Do you believe the warming is caused by human activity?

    Question 2 - Is it your position that science is a "programmed belief system"?

    I just want to be sure I am understanding you correctly. You are very clear on the other points.

    Thanks!

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  6. Question 1
    Warming can be caused by unrelated natural phenomena. Given that, I have not seen analysis which clarifies for me that there is an undoubted and measurable process of causality.
    This is not to minimize other concerns such as smog, surface ozone, resource depletion, toxic pollution, drinking water poisoning, etc. Rather, I would think co2 fixation would distract from known and measurable - and urgent - problems.
    Here is a link to an article by environmentally concerned scientists who do not choose to contest manmade effects on the environment...but are concerned that known scientific context is being ignored.
    http://suzukielders.wordpress.com/2011/06/01/climate-change-evidence-from-the-geological-record/
    Question 2
    I would not say that science is a programmed belief system...though its foundations must of necessity resemble that somewhat. But 'science' per se is not the question. What is questionable is the proposition that alternative views are antiscientific.
    That's ironic. Science is born of questioning.

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  7. I'm sorry, killingMother, but I can't help you with your important survey. The questions do not compute with me.

    What does compute with me are all the facts regarding the imperial takeover of this land, in the name of freedom, that has been propagandized to hypnotize people all over the world. Perhaps this isn't helpful for anyone else either but I don't actually care.

    I've had two years of college from which I did not graduate. I follow Jesus though church is full of shit. I'm unemployed and have been for almost 99 weeks.

    So you see, I'm useless and tired of answering questions to determine what the fuck is going on.

    I already know what's going on. No offense and I wish I could help you.

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  8. I guess what I'm saying is: Remember the buffalo.

    Or, soylent green is people.

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  9. 'What do I believe?' is a question regarding religion - and I don't believe in that.
    http://opitslinkfest.blogspot.com/2010/10/beliefwonder-dogma.html
    From the above - suggestions from a physicist who tends to exotic reading
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pm8nychBkGc
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDomvupYtWE

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  10. You are correct opit, "belief" is in the realm of religion, and science is not an appropriate object of "belief" Thanks again for your very interesting links and your responses.

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  11. Tsisageya,I understand. I hope things turn around for you soon.

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  12. 1-Please describe your beliefs on global climate change. Do you think the planet is getting warmer? And if so, do you believe this is occurring because of human activities? Yeah, I believe it is getting warmer, but I don't think humans are the main cause if a cause at all. I believe it is mostly natural. Humans might be contributing somewhat but it is really hard to tell.

    2-Please describe your religious beliefs. None, but I don't consider myself atheist.

    3-How would you describe your political views? None, really. I consider politics a farce really and pretty much ignore it.

    4-How do you obtain news and information? Is there a particular media source that you watch or read regularly? I get my news and information mostly from the internet from various sources.

    5-Are you familiar with the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change? If so, what is your opinion of the group? Erm... no, actually. I guess I am now though. I will look them up later.

    6-What is your level of education? High School right going to college in the fall.

    7-What do you do for a living? Never had a job. I am very lazy.

    8-What are your views on environmentalism? Well, seeing as I plan on being an environmental science. I say i'm for it when done right.

    9-What is your age group? 15-25? 26-35? 36-50? 50-65? 65 and above? 15-25

    10-If you do not believe humans are contributing to global climate change, why? I just don't think we have that much effect on the planet as we think we do to actually be able to warm the planet.

    11-How serious do you believe global climate change is? Not serious at all? Slightly serious? Very serious? Or critical? Well, seeing as I think it's mostly natural, we can't do anything about it and should just go with it. So no serious.

    12- What is your opinion of people who have views different to your own? And how would you describe your willingness to communicate with people with opposing views? I don't hold on to my beliefs very strongly so I am completely cool with other people's views. As long as the person doesn't get defensive and angry i'm willing to communicate with anyone with opposing views.

    13-Do you believe that the climate change issue is a scientific one or a political one? Why? Both. I don't really have much more to add than that.

    14-Do you think that regulation and investment in alternative energy will be good or bad for the United States? Why? We definitely need investment in alternative energy but regulation? I don't think I agree with regulating that. I believe it would hinder the process

    15-How adamant are you about your views? Could any information change your mind? Yes

    16-Do you have anything else to add? No

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  13. I usually read over my post before I post it, but I was kind of being forced off the computer so I just posted what I had not wanting to lose what I already had. Well I'm now using my iPod touch to look it over and realized that I did want to add something. I just wanted to say that you should probably know that I have looked very little into Global Warming and know very little of the science regarding it. And the reason for that is because honestly i don't care since I do think it is natural. Even though I do have little knowledge on the matter, I do have some and I would like to say the reason I believe this is because for one I have read that the other planets in our solar system are warming up as well. I also have read that this climate change has happened other times in our Earth's history. Now I realize this hardly proves anything and the articles were probably mostly baseless on their own, but- I hate to get all religious or spiritual on you- I just feel this to be true. But because of that I am open to any information that could change my mind.

    I also wanted to add on number 13 that I think it's political because I do believe some politicians do use it to further their own goals or get more money or whatever. Though of course it is also scientific because science goes into it does it not? Unless I'm missing something.

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  14. inspiring Questionnaire, it very easy and cool for learn, Thanks a lot for ur professional help. @ Shaik

    Sample Questionnaire

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  15. Thank you very much for filling out the questionnaire kalivin and for your other input. You are correct that there is a natural component to climate change and that earth's climate has constantly changed throughout the course of its history. There are some great books out there on the subject. When I get a chance, I will put them on the Reading List if you are interested.

    On the other hand, the way humans are changing the chemical composition of the atmosphere and oceans is also unprecedented, and scientists are currently recording rates of climate change that are unprecedented in the geological record. I don't want to go on too much here because I don't want to influence people's answers, but I will definitely post a lot on this subject when my classes are over.

    Thanks again!

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  16. I actually would be greatly interested in looking into those books. It's funny after doing this questionnaire, I'm actually more aware of how little I actually do know about climate change. And even though I did say I don't care much about climate change, I do love to learn and realize it would probably benefit me in some way to learn about this. So yes in short I would be very interested.

    And on a side note I just realized my username is kalivin when it should be kalivon. I've never made that made mistake before. Oh well.

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  17. killingMother, "things turning around" for me is really not the point. I, personally, am fine.

    But, I too understand. You're in a hurry.

    ReplyDelete
  18. 1- Please describe your beliefs on global climate change. Do you think the planet is getting warmer? yes And if so, do you believe this is occurring because of human activities? hell yes

    2- Please describe your religious beliefs. I was born-and-raised "Catholic" then became an atheist (at 16) then had a metanoia

    3- How would you describe your political views? I am Lefty McLefterson. Democratic Socialist, perhaps? I guess i'll call myself a Progressive Liberal Christian.

    4- How do you obtain news and information? Is there a particular media source that you watch or read regularly? i now shun television news OF ANY KIND. I rely on the internet and other stuff.

    5- Are you familiar with the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change? If so, what is your opinion of the group? didn't know, not a clue

    6- What is your level of education? I puttered around at a junior college in El Camino, CA for a couple of years. Music Major, though nothing ever came from it.

    7- What do you do for a living? Fixing to become a 99er

    8- What are your views on environmentalism? what is environmentalism?

    9- What is your age group? 15-25? 26-35? 36-50? 50-65? 65 and above? 50-65

    10- If you do not believe humans are contributing to global climate change, why? it must be because I am a dumbass

    11- How serious do you believe global climate change is? Not serious at all? Slightly serious? Very serious? Or critical? too late

    12- What is your opinion of people who have views different to your own? And how would you describe your willingness to communicate with people with opposing views? it depends upon the view

    13- Do you believe that the climate change issue is a scientific one or a political one? Why?sorry, I cannot answer this question thus phrased

    14- Do you think that regulation and investment in alternative energy will be good or bad for the United States? Why? I think it might be better for all humans to humble themselves. They ARE from the dirt, after all.

    15- How adamant are you about your views? Could any information change your mind? Very. Yes.

    16- Do you have anything else to add? Yes.

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  19. Perhaps it's time for this?

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1loyjm4SOa0

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  20. Actually, killingMother, you're very welcome. I guess I have a mental block against surveys and such. I like this one, though.

    Did I ever share with you that I am a dumbass sometimes? Don't answer.

    I confess: I am a dumbass, sometimes.

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  21. Hah! I love "Life of Brian." Thanks for the link.

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  22. 1. Beliefs on global climate change: That global warming IS occurring, and that it is primarily caused by human industrial and agricultural (economic) activities.

    2. Religion? Raised WASP, not affiliated with any chruch.

    3. Political views? Liberal Left

    4. Information sources? Skim NY Times daily, Peruse Krugman's Column; Some Net-surfing, NY Review of Books, New Yorker,Some PBS, NPR. Local papers. (I'm in California)

    5. Familiar with the IPCC? Only Vaguely.

    6. Level of Education: 2 post grad degrees.

    7. Job? Trial Attorney.

    8. Views on Environmentalism? Our last, best hope.

    9. Age Group? 50-65

    10.Why NOT believe humans contribute to global climate changee? (N.A.see 1, above)

    11.How serious do you think Global climate change is? Passing through serious to critical: There are climatic tipping points which are now being breached.

    12. Opinion of those with different views?
    When younger, I could have NOTHING to do with conservatives, whereas, now I deal with them daily in my job, and have learned that they are not ALL terrible people...just misinformed or closed-minded! (I TRY not to be a mirror-image of this phenom. with mixed success.)

    13. Is Climate Change a scientific or a political issue? It's purely scientific as to whether it's actually taking place, and purely political as to whether we will ever really do anything about it.

    14. Would regulation & investment in alternative energy be good or bad for the U.S.? Of COURSE it would be great if alternative sources of energy could be regulated, required, and subsidized to even a fraction of the present U.S.subsidies to oil, big agriculture,and public and private power companies. So... that's political, right? We could be an example to the world, and perhaps fend off the disaster we are headed for.

    15. I try to understand those who BELIEVE things, based on limited factual information...and I try not to emulate them by being inflexible in my own opinions, when facts are not consistant with them.

    16. Yes...I think your blog is an important contribution. Thank you for your efforts. Also, good luck with your Haaavard endeavors.

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  23. Thank you very much Anonymous for both your questionnaire responses and your general support.

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  24. 1- Please describe your beliefs on global climate change. Do you think the planet is getting warmer? And if so, do you believe this is occurring because of human activities?

    Yes, global average temperature is increasing. Yes, it is due to human activity.

    2- Please describe your religious beliefs.

    Mormon raised, now agnostic/atheistic.

    3- How would you describe your political views?

    Peer-to-peer socialist.

    4-How do you obtain news and information? Is there a particular media source that you watch or read regularly?

    New Yorker Magazine, NYTimes, The Guardian, The Independent, Salt Lake Tribune, L.A. Times, Al Jazeera, RealClimate.org, The Oil Drum.

    5- Are you familiar with the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change? If so, what is your opinion of the group?

    Yes. Favorable, but believe the reports to be conservative.

    6- What is your level of education?

    Formal? Some high school.

    7- What do you do for a living?

    Residential architectural design.

    8- What are your views on environmentalism?

    Preserving and expanding healthy global wild ecologies within which humans develop and practice sustainable economy is crucial to the well being and long term survival of our species.

    9- What is your age group?

    36-50.

    10- If you do not believe humans are contributing to global climate change, why?

    11- How serious do you believe global climate change is?

    Critical.

    12- What is your opinion of people who have views different to your own? And how would you describe your willingness to communicate with people with opposing views?

    I respect other’s views to the degree that they are informed and informing. I’m willing to have evidence based discussions with anyone on foundations of mutual respect, and/or humour.

    13- Do you believe that the climate change issue is a scientific one or a political one? Why?

    It is both. It has been politicized and therefore must be engaged politically, but climate study is a natural science and climate mechanisms can only be understood, to the degree that we are capable of understanding them, using the scientific method.

    14- Do you think that regulation and investment in alternative energy will be good or bad for the United States?

    Good, conditionally. I can envision a low energy density, sustainable, eco-technical civilization powered by harvesting renewable non-fossil and non-fissile sources of energy, along with our nuts and berries. Business as usual will not be powered by PV, but why would we want to continue business as usual?

    15- How adamant are you about your views? Could any information change your mind?

    My opinions are subject to change at any time based on substantial convincing evidence. For example, if global average temperatures began to show a long term decline despite rising concentrations of CO2, it would be necessary to revise my model.

    16- Do you have anything else to add?

    Sure. Incidentally, I’d actually be quite happy to be find that I’m wrong about everything, i.e., that the divine is both real and benevolent, that our conscious existence extends beyond mortal death, that observed climate fluctuations are the result of natural forcings only and will not be detrimental to human or other organisms, that humans will triumph over our baser natures and we will transition to peaceful and cooperative civilizations whose social, economic and political institutions recalibrate to value human rights, social justice, and naturally derived positive neural-chemical states over mere monetary profit, and that we are not extinguishing the vast, beautiful, diversity of life on our planet at a staggering rate, in fact, that we are not harming it in any significant way what-so-ever.

    ReplyDelete