Climate change no longer 'crap': Abbott says man makes a difference

[panzerfaust]

Source: Sydney Morning Herald (Oz)

Tony Abbott, who famously declared the "so-called settled science" of climate change to be "crap" has told environmental business leaders he is now "confident ...mankind does make a difference to climate".

In a speech to the National Business Leaders Forum on Sustainable Development in Canberra, Mr Abbott repeated his view that natural variations in the climate have been happening since the beginning of time, but added that he also believed humans have influenced recent climatic fluctuations.

"I am confident, based on the science we have, that mankind does make a difference to climate, almost certainly the impact of humans on the planet extends to climate."

He said his opposition to an emissions trading scheme was not based on climate scepticism but on an objection to Australia adopting a scheme when other countries had not...

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/national/climate-change-no-longer-crap-abbott-says-man-makes-a-difference-20100527-wg6d.html

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Tony Abbott is leader of the Oz right-wing Liberal Party and currently the "Leader of the Opposition" in the Ozzie House of Representatives.

Though not as attractive as Palin, he shares both her deep grasp of environmental science, as well as her noted independence from the extractive energy industries. Thus his announcement is a bit of a surprise and it is possible that he is not quite as lame-brained as she.

[spicegal]

1. Wow, that's just great news. He finally comes on board when our ability to

do anything about it is slipping from our grasp. Now, how about trying to convince all the other right wing idiots out there that it's real and human activity is making it worse.

[Systematic Chaos]

2. Even Sarah Palin could educate herself if she actually gave a shit.

All she sees now is the money and the opportunism. Why should she spend even 30 seconds reading a book? I think her performance as the keynote speaker in that recent real estate convention -- or whatever it was -- says all there is to say about her. Even the republicans who were looking forward to her speech came out of it disappointed because she said next to nothing about the main topics of the convention and instead just gave another stump-style speech with the same worn-out talking points.

At least this Australian guy took the time to actually research something and come to a new informed conclusion. One can hope that from here, he'll slide leftward on other issues as well. Doubtful, but you never know. Palin, on the other hand, will just sink deeper and deeper in her own shit until she loses all relevance.

[BonnieJW]

4. Yes but how much would you be willing

to pay her for educating herself? She gets $100k for being stupid; don't you think becoming intelligent should pay more?

[Javaman]

6. Nail on head.

in today's reality, being or appearing stupid pays more. (in her case; it's being stupid)

That is a incredibly sad statement upon our society.

[Javaman]

5. All she has ever been about is money and opportunism.

don't confuse willingness with inherent.

she's as dumb as a bag of rocks but as calculating as a back alley thief.

[kestrel91316]

8. Palin may read books, but it's unlikely the Wasilla Quitta has ever FINISHED one.

[SemperEadem]

3. while I'm not a fan of their current PM, I must say

that he took Abbott to the woodshed quite handsomely in last week's Australian Parliament.

[hatrack]

7. Tony Abbott discovers whereabouts of sky - shall we all chip in for a congratulatory gift?

Perhaps a commemorative crystal vase, or a bottle of really nice champagne?

:eyes:`