Dirk van Ulden’s screed against teens demonstrating for more action on climate change demands a response (“Children protesting” in the Sept. 27 edition of the Daily Journal). He said the teens are brainwashed in the manner of Hitler Youth, Maoists and Khmer Rouge children who kill their parents, that “ulterior motive forces” are “behind the climate change hype” and that there is “ubiquitous idiocy blathered by politicians and pseudo scientists.” He wrapped up by calling the teens a “frenzied mob” who “offered no solutions,” and that the “baseless protest” is a product of “socialism” and “weak-kneed, thoughtless parents.”
No evidence is given for any of these ridiculous claims. In fact, the teens do offer solutions. They want the adults in charge to take action to reduce global warming gasses by using less fossil fuel and more carbon neutral electricity. Likewise, in all these character attacks, van Ulden does not offer his own opinion of climate change. Is it happening? If it is, how much is caused by human activity, what are its effects and what can we do to mitigate it? These are legitimate questions for debate. Impugning our teens and scientists is not constructive.
If van Ulden wishes to engage in a real debate about climate change, he should be wary of information found on fringe websites and right-wing talk shows. He should consult the many, very legitimate scientists at NASA, NOAA, USGS, the IPCC and similar experts before making up his mind about climate change.
Do the research. Climate change is happening. Life on Earth will be under duress. Humanity can mitigate the worst effects, but we need to take action. The kids are alright.
Dear Mr. Wobber - you missed my point. I am not a climate change denier and I agree with you that we need to do all we can to mitigate the effects that our lifestyles have on the climate. My point is that the students did not wake up one day and decided to start protesting. They were encouraged by others to go out in the street, and wouldn't you know it, on a Friday, not on their own time. The assumption that the adult world is not doing anything or not enough to mitigate the effects of carbon is pure folly. This State itself is a significant forerunner in these mitigating efforts. Before my retirement, I ran a $300 million program at our premier university system that has already reduced its carbon footprint to the tune of several hundred thousand metric tons. There are thousands of such programs being implemented throughout the State and the Nation. We don't need our indoctrinated children to accuse this older generation unfairly of sitting on its hands and have the media and educational establishment egg them on. Instead have them peruse reports by the California Energy Commission and the California Air Resources Board and see first hand what giants steps have been taken and are in progress in this realm. That will be a real education as opposed to the ubiquitous blather that I described in my original letter.
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Dear Mr. Wobber - you missed my point. I am not a climate change denier and I agree with you that we need to do all we can to mitigate the effects that our lifestyles have on the climate. My point is that the students did not wake up one day and decided to start protesting. They were encouraged by others to go out in the street, and wouldn't you know it, on a Friday, not on their own time. The assumption that the adult world is not doing anything or not enough to mitigate the effects of carbon is pure folly. This State itself is a significant forerunner in these mitigating efforts. Before my retirement, I ran a $300 million program at our premier university system that has already reduced its carbon footprint to the tune of several hundred thousand metric tons. There are thousands of such programs being implemented throughout the State and the Nation. We don't need our indoctrinated children to accuse this older generation unfairly of sitting on its hands and have the media and educational establishment egg them on. Instead have them peruse reports by the California Energy Commission and the California Air Resources Board and see first hand what giants steps have been taken and are in progress in this realm. That will be a real education as opposed to the ubiquitous blather that I described in my original letter.
Young people these days search online and use cell phones.
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Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.