About Tom Harris's opinions in our
local newspapers
RE: The value of knowledge
This is meant to inform you about the credibility of Tom Harris, a man-made
global warming denier whose comment appeared in today's Duluth News
Tribune. Here is a link to a reputable website which documents the
ideas and credibility of known AGW deniers like Tom Harris:
Tom Harris does not have a degree in
climate science but rather, a Masters of Engineering (thermofluids).
Yet, he has accepted funding from climate denial organizations which
work to aid the credibility of deniers in order to publicly
rationalize the policies of large energy companies. Mr. Harris is
also closely affiliated with The Heartland Institute—a
conservative organization known for funding and supporting AGW
deniers. And as he mentioned, he is the executive director of the
International Climate Science Coalition, which is yet another
notorious man-made global warming denial organization dedicated to
discrediting the work of tens of thousands of truly qualified
scientists who understand that the current climate change crisis is
real, and is caused primarily by human activities. Harris has also,
to date, not published a single peer-reviewed paper in any reputable
scientific journal.
As far as the (Nongovernmental
International Panel on Climate Change) which Harris mentions, this
also, is a group dedicated to funding AGW deniers and which works
towards discrediting the findings of 97% of today's peer reviewed
climate scientists. The name is a variation on the name of the iconic Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, or, the IPCC. However,
since the IPCC's message is the direct opposite of the message
disseminated by the NIPCC, and prestigious climate science
organization all over the world refer to its findings, this very
similar name may have been chosen with the intent of fooling laymen
who are not as familiar with the climate analysis of the IPCC, as
many scientists are. Here is a link to inform you about the NIPCC:
In general Harris's contention that
reducing CO2 emissions will not help make the world safer, or even
help at all, is absurd;
It's true that we may reach a tipping
point after which the planet will perpetuate its worsening climate,
but to suggest that reducing greenhouse gas emissions will not help
reduce the occurrence of extreme weather events, or help in any way,
frankly makes no sense at all. If we have a fever, we know that
taking aspirin may help. If we have to lose weight, we know exercise
will help. And if we want to become successful in any field of work,
we know that education will help us immensely. We also know that, if
man-made greenhouse gasses are heavily produced by man, and if they
are causing the planet to warm, (as they are), then reducing their
amounts in the atmosphere will invariably help!
And as far as the billion spent on
climate “finance” which Mr. Harris's letter to the tribune
claims—even if that figure is accurate, we still need to recognize
the untold billions that will be needed to clean up and recover from
the devastation wrought by extreme weather events that are caused by
AGW, as large losses of human lives which has already
become manifest as one of the most tragic costs of such extreme weather
events! We also need to honestly ask ourselves if maintaining a
livable future for our children and theirs, isn't really more
desirable than the ever increasing and devastating consequences of
our own inaction?
The press sorely needs to
become aware of the backgrounds and motivations of many supposed
climate science “experts,” in order to become edified about what
is really at stake. It's my sincere hope that soon, newspapers and
journals everywhere, will print the ideas of AGW deniers, but in close
proximity to, and including, direct scientific rebuttals of the many
specific misconceptions and lies being spread by deniers.
Sincerely, Pete W. Johnson
