Here is a man who has just lost the culmination of 23 years of his life and he has the humility to be concerned for everybody else. This, for me, highlights the difference between people who accept the scientific facts and those who don’t. There is no self-interest there. His concern is for his fellow man. Deniers will feign concern for their fellow man through suggestions that its a scam designed to take away everybody’s freedom or increase tax or whatever nonsense but deep down that is nothing more than blatant self-interest. One can imagine a denier in the same position as this man, looking for someone in the government to blame while crying over the loss of their wealth and trinkets.
What would it take for the Fire Chief to say that Global warming had to be a big part of these fires,so lets stop burning fossil fuels…What does it take??
Sometimes there is no standard of evidence that will convince some people. Some people would rather entertain a conspiracy theory that the National Academy of Sciences is an entirely corrupt organization, rather than accept a scientifically defensible position. These people are in a position that isn’t based on evidence, but on an emotional/instinctual attachment.
Now, I don’t know about this particular guy (he likely just hasn’t seen how deep the evidence goes), but that is the situation quite a few are in.
Mr. Ahmad comes across an intelligent guy – with hard earned expertise in something. He appears to rationally acknowledge that experts in another field – requiring PhD’s and years of dedicated research using phenomenally advanced equipment – have a good handle on what they do and don’t know.
I think what you see in the video is a good reflection of the contrast between the culture of the college (Colorado College) and that of the community (Colorado Springs) at large. The first two men are both employed by the college, and the fire chief, of course, represents the city. I have no idea whether he really believes what he says or if he’s just trying not to ruffle any feathers in ultra-conservative Colorado Springs.
In any event, I can hardly fault the work he and his crews have been doing to save lives and property in the community and prevent further spread of the fire. What the CS Fire Department has done is outstanding (along with the many other firefighters who have joined the battle from elsewhere). For now, I just have to let their work speak for itself and hope that this event has convinced more people in the community to rethink their stance on climate change–and hopefully get involved to prevent another event like this from happening in the future.
Didn’t you get the memo? *Everyone* is an expert on climate change these days! (LOL)
Seriously though, I agree 100%. We respect a physician’s expertise on medicine and the years of training it takes to be a doctor, but for some reason we don’t appreciate how hard it us to truly understand weather and climate. (“We only trust science if its conclusions agree with our preconceived notions. Otherwise, it’s BS.”)
There is the problem of communication, too. If there weren’t so many damned myths floating around, the public would be better prepared to understand the scientific position.
Hopefully Mr. Ahmad and everyone out there gets back on their feet soon.
Hopefully, the forests recover, though if some of these burned areas convert into grassland, it wouldn’t be surprising.
“I’m terrified for everybody in the west.”
Here is a man who has just lost the culmination of 23 years of his life and he has the humility to be concerned for everybody else. This, for me, highlights the difference between people who accept the scientific facts and those who don’t. There is no self-interest there. His concern is for his fellow man. Deniers will feign concern for their fellow man through suggestions that its a scam designed to take away everybody’s freedom or increase tax or whatever nonsense but deep down that is nothing more than blatant self-interest. One can imagine a denier in the same position as this man, looking for someone in the government to blame while crying over the loss of their wealth and trinkets.
What would it take for the Fire Chief to say that Global warming had to be a big part of these fires,so lets stop burning fossil fuels…What does it take??
Sometimes there is no standard of evidence that will convince some people. Some people would rather entertain a conspiracy theory that the National Academy of Sciences is an entirely corrupt organization, rather than accept a scientifically defensible position. These people are in a position that isn’t based on evidence, but on an emotional/instinctual attachment.
Now, I don’t know about this particular guy (he likely just hasn’t seen how deep the evidence goes), but that is the situation quite a few are in.
Mr. Ahmad comes across an intelligent guy – with hard earned expertise in something. He appears to rationally acknowledge that experts in another field – requiring PhD’s and years of dedicated research using phenomenally advanced equipment – have a good handle on what they do and don’t know.
I think what you see in the video is a good reflection of the contrast between the culture of the college (Colorado College) and that of the community (Colorado Springs) at large. The first two men are both employed by the college, and the fire chief, of course, represents the city. I have no idea whether he really believes what he says or if he’s just trying not to ruffle any feathers in ultra-conservative Colorado Springs.
In any event, I can hardly fault the work he and his crews have been doing to save lives and property in the community and prevent further spread of the fire. What the CS Fire Department has done is outstanding (along with the many other firefighters who have joined the battle from elsewhere). For now, I just have to let their work speak for itself and hope that this event has convinced more people in the community to rethink their stance on climate change–and hopefully get involved to prevent another event like this from happening in the future.
Sure, can’t be too hard on the guy. Still, it is best to defer comment on the matter to someone who has studied the long term data.
Didn’t you get the memo? *Everyone* is an expert on climate change these days! (LOL)
Seriously though, I agree 100%. We respect a physician’s expertise on medicine and the years of training it takes to be a doctor, but for some reason we don’t appreciate how hard it us to truly understand weather and climate. (“We only trust science if its conclusions agree with our preconceived notions. Otherwise, it’s BS.”)
There is the problem of communication, too. If there weren’t so many damned myths floating around, the public would be better prepared to understand the scientific position.