Palin Maintains Global Warming Skepticism
In her first substantial interview with a news journalist since being picked as John McCain's vice presidential candidate two weeks ago, Sarah Palin muted her skepticism about the causes of global warming, grudgingly "attributing some of man's activities to potentially causing some of the changes in the climate right now." While this is a step back from her position two weeks ago (she told Newsmax, "I'm not one ... who would attribute [climate change] to being man-made"), it still falls short of John McCain's position and the position of the scientific community, that human emissions are very likely the primary cause of recent warming.
Despite her doubts about anthropogenic climate change, Palin assured ABC's Charles Gibson, she and McCain agree "we gotta do something about it and we have to make sure that we're doing all we can to cut down on pollution." There were no further details on climate policy.
Palin also expressed confidence that she could win McCain over to her position in favor of drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge: "We'll agree to disagree but I'm gonna keep pushing that and I think eventually we're all gonna come together on that one."
The relevant parts are about 3:40 in:
Transcript of the excerpts here:
GIBSON: Let me talk a little bit about environmental policy, because this interfaces with energy policy and you have some significant differences with John McCain. Do you still believe that global warming is not man-made?
PALIN: I believe that man's activities certainly can be contributing to the issue of global warming, climate change. Here in Alaska, the only arctic state in our union, of course, we see the effects of climate change more so than any other area with ice pack melting. Regardless, though, of the reason for climate change, whether it's entirely, wholly caused by man's activities or is part of the cyclical nature of our planet -- the warming and the cooling trends -- regardless of that, John McCain and I agree that we gotta do something about it and we have to make sure that we're doing all we can to cut down on pollution.
GIBSON: But it's a critical point as to whether or not this is man-made. He says it is. You have said in the past it's not.
PALIN: The debate on that even, really has evolved into, OK, here's where we are now: scientists do show us that there are changes in climate. Things are getting warmer. Now what do we do about it. And John McCain and I are gonna be working on what we do about it.
GIBSON: Yes, but isn't it critical as to whether or not it's man-made, because what you do about it depends on whether its man-made.
PALIN: That is why I'm attributing some of man's activities to potentially causing some of the changes in the climate right now.
GIBSON: But I, color me a cynic, but I hear a little bit of change in your policy there. When you say, yes, now you're beginning to say it is man-made. It sounds to me like you're adapting your position to Sen. McCain's.
PALIN: I think you are a cynic because show me where I have ever said that there's absolute proof that nothing that man has ever conducted or engaged in has had any effect, or no effect, on climate change.
Sarah Palin on Arctic National Wildlife Refuge:
GIBSON: ANWR. You favor drilling in the Arctic National Refuge. He does not.
PALIN: I sure do.
GIBSON: You changed him on that? He changing you?
PALIN: I'm going to keep working on that one with him. ANWR, of course, is a 2,000-acre swath of land in the middle of about a 20 million-acre swath of land. Two-thousand acres that we're asking the feds to unlock so that there can be exploration and development.
GIBSON: So, you'll agree to disagree on ANWR?
PALIN: That's exactly right. We'll agree to disagree, but I'm gonna keep pushing that, and I think, eventually, we're all gonna come together on that one.
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That's OK, I'm still skeptical about her.
Political pandering.
But it does not change the facts the world is now cooling. 5 years of cooling, land and oceans.
Look at the lack of sunspots and the implications for cooling. Fortunately a few have started to raise the issue.
Cooling will create real issues with fuel and food. The world is not prepared for cooling.
There has been periods of cooling in the last 150 years, some lasting more than 5 years. But the overall trend is still up, due to the artificial build up of CO-2 in the atmosphere. Your predictions of problamatic global cooling is premature in the extreme, and smells of a desperate attempt by yet another denier to not have to admit that you've been wrong all this time.
Alaskans are split by their attitudes towards their beautiful and resource rich environment. Politically, these differences are reflected in divergent positions on resource development, predator control, wildlife management, stewardship of public lands, and global warming. These differences are manifest in Alaskan lifestyles. For some, recreation involves hunting and fishing and driving a four wheeler or snow machine. For others it is non-consumptive, muscle-powered sports on foot, skis or bikes. We drive either small cars or big trucks/SUVs, eat tofu or moose stew or believe that the state’s oil riches should be dispersed to its citizens or used for public education and public works. In terms of the electorate, Republicans greatly outnumber the liberal-minded Democrats with the term “liberal” generally used as a pejorative. Our Department of Fish and Game is almost totally focused on edible species and the Department of Natural Resources is development oriented. Since the Republicans maintain both legislative and executive control, the state operates like a third world nation totally dependent upon utilization of natural resources.
Sarah Palin’s outspoken conservative Christian beliefs, personal history and influences, lifestyle and record as a public official clearly places her in the camouflage outfitted conservative camp. She endorses aerial hunting of wolves and has appointed a Game Board in thrall to a “hook and bullet” constituency.
Sarah Palin has been the wrong choice for Alaska and is the wrong choice for the country.
Alaskans are split by their attitudes towards their beautiful and resource rich environment. Politically, these differences are reflected in divergent positions on resource development, predator control, wildlife management, stewardship of public lands, and global warming. These differences are manifest in Alaskan lifestyles. For some, recreation involves hunting and fishing and driving a four wheeler or snow machine. For others it is non-consumptive, muscle-powered sports on foot, skis or bikes. We drive either small cars or big trucks/SUVs, eat tofu or moose stew or believe that the state’s oil riches should be dispersed to its citizens or used for public education and public works. In terms of the electorate, Republicans greatly outnumber the liberal-minded Democrats with the term “liberal” generally used as a pejorative. Our Department of Fish and Game is almost totally focused on edible species and the Department of Natural Resources is development oriented. Since the Republicans maintain both legislative and executive control, the state operates like a third world nation totally dependent upon utilization of natural resources.
Sarah Palin’s outspoken conservative Christian beliefs, personal history and influences, lifestyle and record as a public official clearly places her in the camouflage outfitted conservative camp. She endorses aerial hunting of wolves and has appointed a Game Board in thrall to a “hook and bullet” constituency.
Sarah Palin has been the wrong choice for Alaska and is the wrong choice for the country.
Environmental Flip-Flop, Sarah Palin, prefers Californians to Breath Dirty Air.
Gov. Sarah requests Gov. Arnold to veto a Green Tax Bill for California ports (Cleaner Air)
for the benefit of Alaska interests, and her talking points. Sarah’s a Dirty Woman, Arnold.
Just say NO!
http://www
"I think you are a cynic because show me where I have ever said that there's absolute proof that nothing that man has ever conducted or engaged in has had any effect, or no effect, on climate change" -- Sarah Palin
"I'm not one ... who would attribute [climate change] to being man-made" -- Sarah Palin
I think that about says it.
Both of those quotes are within a few paragraphs of this article.
Thanks, David. Couldn't be clearer.
"That is why I'm attributing some of man's activities to potentially causing some of the changes in the climate right now. "
What part of some and potentially is not understood?
Yeah pretty clear. Now,
The top Security Advisor to the President and to Congress who advises on a wide array of subjects from economics, world powers, weather, and the whatever affects America's security. Here is what he said, before Congress.
Global warming is coming, but is not affected by humans, but it is a nature occurance. So Palin has the proper perspective as she has been listening.
As for big cities like Los Angeles. Do what you want to for your clean air in that congested valley enviroment that you have created on your own.
But as your smog is centally located in that valley. Keep your regulations there, too. The rest of the Nation does not need to show sympathy pains for something they have not created or attributed to.
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