Actually, Phil, I don't deny Climate Change at all.

On the contrary, having been fascinated by geology and paleontology all my life, I've long been aware that Earth's climate always has, and always will change.

What I do doubt, very strongly, is that humans have had, or can have, any significant influence on the process.

What I was implying in my comment was that the current Climate Change hysteria is part a deeply ingrained Western/Christian mindset that tends to view unusual natural events as evidence of some sort of Divine Wrath and imminent apocalypse, hence my reference to "millenialism - religious or secular".

I very pleased to hear you don't deny climate change Clownfish.

However, as someone who also has a keen interest and training in geoelogy and palaeontology, I do believe that climate change is probably being hastened by human beings due to the pace that it is occurring.

My personal view is that the geological record is not very good at defining the pace of change of previous climate change events - it doesn't record short changes due to it's nature, and ice cores only take us back to a certain point. To date I have seen no evidence that climate change, increases CO2 etc concentrations have occured at the pace they are currently changing, in previous times. I think the argument that human beings could not influence climate does not recognise the ability of chronic, long-term inputs to cause changes to the atmosphere.

And finally I would also say that I look at AGW with a degree of sceptism, as the evidence is NOT conclusive. It just looks probable to me based on the current information. Happy to be proven wrong on this.

More evidence in this article that the high priests of gw are happy to put their dogmas with no evidence above human life. They are a disgrace. A Pastor was highly criticized for a faith based comment. These clowns (no offense clownfish) are not only insensitive but show total ignorance to Australia's past climate patterns. The media are equally guilty for pushing these earth worshippers agendas. One wonders how low they will scoop.

Just a few comments. The pro-environment movement have been blasting farmers and rural people from clearing the ground fuel from their properties. I won't pre-empt the Royal Commission but they will certainly be looking at some of these 'practices'.

I'm normally pro-green but I have been disturbed by some of the hardline (rampant, almost hysterical 'end is nigh'arguments) pro-environment articles.

It's hard to sum their complaints but they are against population growth, against capitalism and technological progress (see capitalism) - to name just a few.

They have assumed the master narrative (like the Bible) that only they have the answers. There's a whole psychology involved here that I won't go in to.

They assume that all people who are critical of their POV are climate deniers, when in fact they may well be questioning the logic of the arguments. It's in the same catagory as the media asking 'have you stopped bashing your wife?'

So we get the usual mish-mash claiming it's all natural/normal (see point 2 below).

1. Global warming isn’t happening
2. It’s happening but it’s natural
3. There’s some human component, but it is insignificant
4. Yes, the human component is significant, but the effects won’t be much
5. Yes, the effects will be substantial, but mostly beneficial
6. We can easily adapt to the negative effects
7. Yes, the effects will be really negative, but nothing can be done
8. There are things that could have been done, but we’ve delayed for so long it’s too late
9. Friggin scientists, they should have been more assertive

Smart people are not taking the risk.

People who are unsure about what normal is might want to check out these articles from Prof Barry Brook:

http://bravenewclimate.com/2009/02/10/heatwave-update-and-open-letter-to-the-pm/

http://bravenewclimate.com/2009/02/03/is-there-a-link-between-adelaides-heatwave-and-global-warming/

Clownfish
Your last post is a cracker. So, you've "been fascinated by geology and paleontology all (your) life".

Is this an appeal to some kind of authority of yours? What about the 1000's of other experts in their specific fields, they have it wrong do they?

You have a strong doubt? Would you care to be more erudite (providing links or references would help)?

Your last para is a doozy.

<< What I was implying in my comment was that the current Climate Change hysteria is part a deeply ingrained Western/Christian mindset that tends to view unusual natural events as evidence of some sort of Divine Wrath and imminent apocalypse, hence my reference to "millenialism - religious or secular" >>

Now I understand: all the other religions and ideologies of the world have got it about right.

PM methinks is more on the button.

Lets forget there had been previous bushfires that burnt more ground than this, the only reason this bushfire killed more people then the previous bushfire is because of EVIL Greenies like these.

The Greenie in the council prevented people from clearing vegetation, and backburning operations. This is dispite many people speaking out about the threat to life of policies like this.

This means that there was additional fuel for this fire to burn. That is why the fire moved as fast as it did and it is the reason why it wiped out so many more humans and animals than any previous fires.

Blood is on the hands of Greenies, whose evil deeds help killed so many people and so many animal. Greenies like these are the clause of why so many people die, for these people to get on their high horse and lecture us again. Please just go away.

http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/green-ideas-must-take-blame-for-deaths-20090211-84mk.html?page=-1