englishpod_0102.pdf

Global View - Global Warming (C0102) A: And therefore, global warming is the greatest de- ception of the early 21st century. Questions? B: Uh… yeah. In the lecture you said there’s more evidence in the scientific record supporting global cooling? A: Well, yes, essentially, the historical record sup- ports a theory of climate cycles. Warming and cooling are cooperating processes in the plane- tary eco-system. B: If that’s true and the planet is getting cooler, what explains the rapid melting of the polar ice caps and the dramatic rise in the global average temperatures? A: But are global temperatures rising? If you look at the data from nineteen seventy-five you’ll… Visit the Online Review and Discussion (text version). c?2008 Praxis Language Ltd. B: You’ll be misled. If you were serious, you would look at the record starting in the 1880’s. Then you would see how dramatically the earth’s tem- perature has changed. A: Young lady, I beg to differ. Look, the point of the lecture was to emphasize that there is evi- dence for both sides, and I’m putting forth the ar- gument that there’s greater evidence in support of the global cooling hypothesis. Look, it’s an indis- putable fact that the public is being manipulated and scared into believing there’s some kind of climate crisis; this scaremongering is done, quite simply, for political reasons. B: But even without the uncomfortable reality that greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide contribute to global warming, isn’t the topic appropriate for politicians to discuss? A: Not if they want to use your tax dollars and mine to fund completely unnecessary initiatives. Visit the Online Review and Discussion (text version). c?2008 Praxis Language Ltd. B: Yeah, like conservation, protecting endangered species and investing in renewable energy. At the very least, you have to concede that this debate has the potential to end our dependence on for- eign oil. Buying oil supports autocratic countries that use these revenues to devastating