Letter - Climatologists are scientists; weathermen are not

To the editor:

No consensus over global warming (Letter to editor, Echo Press, January 23, 2013), seems to suggest that climatologists are split on the issue of global warming. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Global warming skeptics like to quote weathermen who doubt manmade global warming is occurring. There is a difference between climatologist and a weatherman, hired to read the weather off a TelePrompTer. Climatologists are scientists who study trends in the Earth’s climate, and 97 percent agree that human beings play a significant role in global warming. TV personalities who are paid to read the weather are not scientists. They are hired for their television presence.

The gentleman who wrote this letter seems to think the only costs associated with global warming is a “15-32 percent increase in electricity.” I beg to differ. Drought (which drives up the cost of food), storms (as we have seen throughout the United States over the last few years), and infestation by insects that thrive in the warmer climate all dramatically increase our cost of living. Food, insurance and repairing infrastructure all come into play. An increase in the cost lighting the Christmas tree pales by comparison.

The choice is between the profitability of coal and oil companies, and our own cost of living. I am more concerned about my family than whether Exxon meets the expectations of its shareholders. Higher MPG requirements for cars and trucks, replacing coal with nuclear power, promoting electric rail and cracking down on the pollution of China and India would be a good start.

Jim Piga

St. Paul, MN

Tags: opinion, letters