Difference between revisions of "Environmental Science and Skeptical Challenges"
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In the last few years most people have accepted that Global Warming is the most important issue that we face ([http://www.livescience.com/environment/061103_climatechange_survey.html see poll)]. However, scientists have been telling us this for a decade or more. In part, our skepticism may be the result of the perception that "tree-huggers" care more about nature than jobs/people, and that their doomsday warnings in the past have been overblown (see below for examples such as ''The Population Bomb''). But much of the doubt has been deliberately created by arguing that even scientists don't agree, so why should we worry? How is it possible that a small number of people in industry, politics and public relations fooled so many of us for so long? By investigating this issue, you can learn how to protect yourself from propaganda ("tune your crap detector" Tom Wolfe) and learn to make more effective arguments yourself: | In the last few years most people have accepted that Global Warming is the most important issue that we face ([http://www.livescience.com/environment/061103_climatechange_survey.html see poll)]. However, scientists have been telling us this for a decade or more. In part, our skepticism may be the result of the perception that "tree-huggers" care more about nature than jobs/people, and that their doomsday warnings in the past have been overblown (see below for examples such as ''The Population Bomb''). But much of the doubt has been deliberately created by arguing that even scientists don't agree, so why should we worry? How is it possible that a small number of people in industry, politics and public relations fooled so many of us for so long? By investigating this issue, you can learn how to protect yourself from propaganda ("tune your crap detector" Tom Wolfe) and learn to make more effective arguments yourself: | ||
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[http://www.amazon.com/Heat-How-Stop-Planet-Burning/dp/0896087794 ''Heat: How to Stop the Planet from Burning''] by George Monbiot <br / > | [http://www.amazon.com/Heat-How-Stop-Planet-Burning/dp/0896087794 ''Heat: How to Stop the Planet from Burning''] by George Monbiot <br / > | ||
[http://www.worldchanging.com/archives/005014.html review] | [http://www.worldchanging.com/archives/005014.html review] | ||
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[http://www.heatisonline.org/main.cfm The Heat is On] by Ross Gelbspan see [http://www.heatisonline.org/disinformation.cfm on skeptic scams] | [http://www.heatisonline.org/main.cfm The Heat is On] by Ross Gelbspan see [http://www.heatisonline.org/disinformation.cfm on skeptic scams] | ||
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'''General works on corporate Public Relations:''' | '''General works on corporate Public Relations:''' | ||
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[http://www.prwatch.org/books/experts.html ''Trust Us, We're Experts: | [http://www.prwatch.org/books/experts.html ''Trust Us, We're Experts: | ||
Revision as of 04:28, 26 September 2007
In the last few years most people have accepted that Global Warming is the most important issue that we face (see poll). However, scientists have been telling us this for a decade or more. In part, our skepticism may be the result of the perception that "tree-huggers" care more about nature than jobs/people, and that their doomsday warnings in the past have been overblown (see below for examples such as The Population Bomb). But much of the doubt has been deliberately created by arguing that even scientists don't agree, so why should we worry? How is it possible that a small number of people in industry, politics and public relations fooled so many of us for so long? By investigating this issue, you can learn how to protect yourself from propaganda ("tune your crap detector" Tom Wolfe) and learn to make more effective arguments yourself:
Examples of those who argue Global Warming is real:
Gore talk at TED conference (video)
The Revenge of Gaia: Why the Earth is Fighting Back - and How we Can Still Save Humanity (2006) is a book by James Lovelock.
Heat: How to Stop the Planet from Burning by George Monbiot
review
The Heat is On by Ross Gelbspan see on skeptic scams
Debate:
Freeman Dyson vs Alun
Paul Loeb argues that the corporations have merely recycled their tactics that worked so successfully for the tobacco companies for so long: create the impression that the science is in doubt. He has a link to a 66 page report
General works on corporate Public Relations:
[http://www.prwatch.org/books/experts.html Trust Us, We're Experts:
How Industry Manipulates Science and Gambles with Your Future]
by Sheldon Rampton and John Stauber
excerpts
Toxic Sludge is Good for Youby John Stauber and Sheldon Rampton Common Courage Press, 1995 excerpts video online video preview
Creating the Corporate Soul: The Rise of Public Relations and Corporate Imagery in American Big Business by Roland Marchand
| Course Themes |
| Ecological and Social Utopias |
| Literature, Art, and the Environment |
| Environmental Science and Skeptical Challenges |
| Activism and Entrepreneurship |
