How many of you watched ‘The Great Global Warming Swindle’ recently on channel 4? If you did, you will remember the whole programme was an attempt to portray global warming as a purely natural phenomenon caused primarily by solar activity. Even more disturbing, was the film-makers attempt to convince us the theory that global warming is being caused by human activity was false and basically a lie. Apparently we are all victims of a great big con.
Now it appears we were victims of a con. A con by the film-makers themselves. The programme has been referred to Ofcom, the regulatory watchdog, to consider a complaint by 37 scientists. The programme has been accused of misrepresenting the prevailing views and facts relating to global warming. Even one of the climate sceptics whose research work was used on the programme has accused the film-makers of broadcasting falsehoods.
I watched this programme with my partner and we were both shocked by the portrayal of global warming as nothing more than a natural cycle, the rising levels of carbon dioxide relegated to mere coincidence. It made us wonder at the time who was funding the programme and what their agenda was. Whatever it was, I found the whole thing irresponsible and detrimental to the cause of reducing the human activities associated with global warming. Nice one channel 4, way to save the planet.
I watched this on C4 with an open mind. I dont believe it was irresponsible to show this film- People are pretty much decided whether or not to "go green" based on personal bias, economy and lifestyle. It would have only been irresponsible if there was a sudden change in public action (not just attitude) and there was a sudden backlash against green issues.
And why the shock? Is it not even permissible to think that there may be other factors responsible for environmental changes other than humans. Are we really the only significant factor on this planet?
I'm not at all on the fence when it comes down to whether we should be restraining our hedonistic and wasteful attitude towards natural resources, but i'm totally sceptical when it comes down to speculation and predictions which are all, after all, sponsored or funded by someone with their own agenda. When have we ever believed such loose theories? Fundamentalists from either camp will deny that their arguments are simply theories,but based on sound scientific fact. And there lies the problem- their arguments are equally convincing, but only persuasive if you already have a bias.
I suggest we all keep an open mind.....