Robert Goodrich (Letters, Herald, March 26) is way out in the cold – no global warming here. One of his science experts on Fox News, Sean Hannity, had a guest, Patrick Moore, who claims to be a co-founder of Greenpeace. Greenpeace says nonsense and claims seven founders – Moore not among them. In 1971, Moore, a college student, asked Greenpeace to join the group going to Alaska to protest American nuclear weapon tests. He rose in the organization but was voted out in the mid-80s. He turned his back on environmental issues but exploited his ties to Greenpeace and consulted for companies involved in clear-cut logging, farmed salmon, genetically engineered crops, mining and nuclear power. He is no expert on climate change.
Goodrich claims climate scientists had to change the name from “global warming” to “climate change.” What nonsense.
Why change the name? They are just different terms, and they mean two different things. Global warming, as its name suggests, refers to the long-term trend of rising average global temperatures. Climate change, on the other hand, refers to changes in the global climate – be it rising sea level, increased precipitation, droughts, heat waves and yes, even global warming. In scientific literature, both terms are used regularly and both experience identical increased usage. Perhaps you could fault Republican political strategist Frank Lutz, who recommended conservative politicians use only “climate change,” as it is less frightening than “global warming” – constituents will think they’re going from Pittsburgh to Fort Lauderdale, he advised.
Goodrich says our planet started warming about 250 years ago. Do you think that has anything to do with the Industrial Revolution starting 250 years ago? Goodrich says through most of the Earth’s history, it has been much warmer than today. Is he referring to the last time it was warmer than now – about 120,000 years ago? Goodrich says CO2 has been at a much higher level in the past. We have just exceeded 400 parts per million. Last time it peaked at even 300 ppm was 350,000 years ago (ice core data).
Gary Rottman
Durango
