So how do you have an intelligent conversation or a debate with a Climate Change zealot? Not an easy task with some who just want to emit talking points that they hear from the left. It’s usually the same diatribe about fossil fuels are killing the atmosphere and we have less than 10 years before the planet either dies or is unliveable. So they will tell you that now is the time to give Democrats all your money so they can fix the climate.

But there are some ways to engage and lead the discussion. First you have to have to have some knowledge of the actual facts and information to get started. Each newsletter we will be posting "Climate Change" info for you to discuss intelligently with the left and hopefully coax thought. There are many aspects to climate change, and no definitive, easy, or quick way of presenting your case in short talking points, especially to a diehard activist that cannot articulate rational thought. But the best way to state your point of view is that you can begin by agreeing that the climate is changing. It certainly is changing and absolutely always has. The climate has changed immensly over millions of years. So right off, there is something that we can agree on which is a great start. The argument usually arises over what is causing climate change? Even though the climate has ALWAYS changed doesn’t seem to sway any one on the other side of that argument. The push from the left is that the climate is changing due to fossil fuels and that CO2 is the main reason. The world is over in 10 years. Etc…, So when that happens (And be confident that it will) calmly start asking some basic questions. Like>>>>>

“What is the atmosphere made of that we need to be concerned about CO2”?

(Our atmosphere is made up of 78% Nitrogen - 21% Oxygen - 0.9% Argon - 0.1% other gases. CO2 is part of that 0.1%. About 0.04%)

“So how much CO2 should be in the atmosphere since we need it for plants to survive and thrive”?

(About 300-350ppm makes for good plant life. Anything lower that 250ppm and plants cannot survive and ice ages happen)

“What percent of CO2 is man made”?

(Best gestimate is about 3. 2% of all CO2 in the atmosphere is man made. Not knowing actually validates your argument since the claim is that we are emitting too much CO2) But here is where you can shut down the entire discussion. “If your claim is that man-made CO2 is the culprit to climate changing, then prove to me how the 97% of natural CO2 emissions does not”.

“What is the cut off point in that percentage”?

(Any answer given is made up. There is no data on what the amount is or could be. Water vapor traps 96% - 98% more heat than CO2 does and 97% of all CO2 is produced by nature)

“Since China and India produce 5 times the amount the US does, how do we stop them”?

(This one usually results in crickets chirping)

“Since the US only emits less than 15% of the worlds CO2 emissions, how does that affect the overall drop in CO2 output”?

(Crickets usually make a come back in this one too)

So the key in leading the discussion or debate when asking questions is to throw in facts and statistics to make your stance valid and more thought provoking.

Judith Curry on the immediate dangers of climate change (Or the lack thereof)