When you’re waiting for a train, interesting conversations can happen. I was sitting at the Amtrak platform in Kissimmee, FL talking to a family about climate change when a Canadian gentleman interrupted us. He proceeded to tell us that solar spots are causing the earth to warm as well as warming all the other planets. I told him to check the NASA websites re: debunked myth on solar flares.
The Canadian then went on to talk about how all the scientists are in a conspiracy to spread “the myth of climate change”.
Should have ended the conversation there, but I didn’t – what can I say, I’m a glutton for punishment.
We talked about wind farms when he asked if I knew “how many birds were killed by wind farms”. I countered by talking about animal extinction in general due to climate change.
He wanted to use the methane released from the frozen tundra as fuel for Canadians…Didn’t even know where to begin with that. Methane from landfills has been used as a source for electricity, but the idea that we could collect & harness methane from vast regions seems unrealistic.
More info on the consequences of methane release from the arctic permafrost can be found on NASA’s and NSIDC [National Snow and Ice Data Center]’s websites.
He also kept talking about a website called: Adapt 2030 by David DuByne. I had no idea what he was talking about and later learned that it is a youtube channel dedicated to talking about “solar glower” and the imminent mini ice age.
Here is a good background article to counter such misinformation: The ‘imminent mini ice age’ myth is back, and it’s still wrong
I wish I had better responses prepared and in the future you may want to use the 3 resources below to help you answer climate change deniers:
Before boarding the train, I did thank the Canadian gentleman for helping me become a better prepared climate activist. Hope you enjoyed this peek into a denialist world and let’s all “Rock the Vote” for the environment this November.
