Global Warming Lecture at CSUF Stirs Controversy [Campus Free Speech Alert]

The Daily Titan (California State University, Fullerton) ^ | October 18, 2007 | Sylvia Masuda

[Fiji Hill]

Global warming lecture at CSUF stirs controversy

Science weighs against philosophy on campus

By: Sylvia Masuda

Issue date: 10/18/07 Section: News

Posted: 10/18/07

Controversy erupted in the Cal State Fullerton science community over Tuesday's global warming lecture in the Titan Theater.

Research professor and climatologist Patrick Michaels presented "Reducing the Effects of Global Warming in Southern California," a presentation which explained why global warming is not an imminent problem. The Economics Association organized the event.

Over the years, science organizations have criticized Michaels for exaggerating his credentials and for pushing what they feel is a political agenda. CSUF science professors said his articles published in science journals "Science" and "Nature" are actually letters to the editor.

Michaels' lecture featured graphs and data to support his belief that although global warming is a real concept, its negative effects are not as urgent as many claim. In particular, he backed his information by challenging several ideas Al Gore discussed in the former vice president's book.

For example, Michaels said he considers the Kyoto Protocol counterproductive. The protocol calls for participating nations to limit its greenhouse gas emissions.

"It takes away the capital to invest in a more efficient society," Michaels said. "For all their good intentions, they haven't realized that they've delayed the efficient future."

Michaels' reluctance to fund global warming prevention efforts is a problem in itself, said Nilay Patel, assistant cell biology professor.

"He is saying, 'Let's just wait until the problem comes,' " Patel said. "The idea is that the problem will be so big that we won't be able to do anything about it. Are future scientists going to be able to come up with solutions to deal with the avalanche?"

The presentation had no difficulties in stirring up opposition. During the question-and-answer period at the end of the presentation, some audience members brought up the Michaels' overstatements.

Despite the accusations, Michaels and his viewpoints attracted plenty of support.

"Those questions were already thought of beforehand," said Jitendra Motwani, president of the Economics Association. "I'm sure that they were not based on his presentation, but on his opinion of global warming. He mentioned that they should do their research right."

The association did their part in researching for the lecture. Before inviting Michaels to speak, the group checked his credentials online to verify his validity.

"You know a person is popular when you Google him and you find 3 million hits," Motwani said. "Our aim was not to discredit anyone's research."

Michaels made reference to any skepticism about his work at the beginning of his presentation.

"Distrust what you read on the Internet about people," he addressed the audience. "Do the best that you can in objectively analyzing information rather than reading what somebody else said."

Michaels has also been under fire by the science community for accepting money from energy companies which, they believe, affect his stance on global warming.

His credibility was destroyed for some when they found out the climatologist was receiving large amounts of money from energy companies, according to a 2006 issue of "Nature."

Michaels said that he was funded by energy companies years ago, but this is no longer the case.

However, there are others who stand behind Michaels.

"I think he gave good data," business major Seth Romero said. "People tried to discredit him but I think that's irrelevant. Michaels is probably right. He's the one doing the research."

Michaels' proves his ideas with sufficient data, business major Lenin Rudea said.

Some audience members maintained a neutral point of view.

"I'm just here to support it," business major Tina Safi said. "Global warming is a really controversial issue and I'm just glad to hear an opinion. These speakers are always going to be a little bit biased so it's just interesting to hear as many as you can."

There are also issues on whether Michaels has a right to express his views, as unpopular as they may be. Motwani, for one, is supportive of that right.

"We believe that everyone has a right to a say," Motwani said. "In economics, we believe in seeing both sides of the story and doing our research. People are smart enough to make their own choices."

Patel said he believes otherwise.

"He is being presented here as a moderate and a scientist," Patel said. "He is so far to the right, so I don't think it's a fair judgment that everyone has a right to speak. In reality, there is little scientist backing and more political spin."

Besides serving as a research professor of environmental sciences at the University of Virginia, Michaels is a senior fellow in environmental studies at the Cato Institute, a Libertarian research foundation.

"Many politicians and media and scientists exaggerate," Motwani said. "That's not the best way of looking at it. He proves his point."

© Copyright 2007 Daily Titan

[Fiji Hill]

A "commuter campus" that that attracts a large number of business, science, and engineering majors well as many older "re-entry" students that are returning to college, Cal State Fullerton is not pervaded by the totalitarian left-wing atmosphere that one finds at other institutions of higher learning. Nonetheless, totalitarians do exist on this campus, as exemplified by the professor who said that "he is so far to the right, so I don't think it's a fair judgment that everyone has a right to speak."

Still, it's heartening to read that quite a number of Patrick Michaels' listeners found his arguments to be convincing. Apparently, not all college students are buying into the "party line" on global warming.

[netmilsmom]

>>so I don’t think it’s a fair judgment that everyone has a right to speak<<

Yikes!
How about a little censorship with you cherrios?

[Renderofveils]

"He is so far to the right, so I don't think it's a fair judgment that everyone has a right to speak"

The Left's (Patel, in this case) view in a nutshell.

[yoe]

Nilay is another of those brilliant "climatologists" lending his lack of knowledge to the pot.

Nilay Patel, Assistant Professor, Ph.D., State University of New York at Stony Brook

Teaches: Genetics and Molecular Biology, Intermediate Cell Biology
Research: Gene regulation of apolipoportein E (apoE), role of apoE in Alzheimer's Disease

[Mygirlsmom]

Over the years, science organizations have criticized Michaels for exaggerating his credentials and for pushing what they feel is a political agenda.

Somehow it becomes a "political agenda" only when one dares oppose the party line.

[Always Right]

"He is being presented here as a moderate and a scientist," Patel said. "He is so far to the right, so I don't think it's a fair judgment that everyone has a right to speak. In reality, there is little scientist backing and more political spin."

Unlike Al Gore telling children the seas are gonna rise 20' over the next few years and polar bears are gonna be wiped out. You have to have had a lobotomy to buy into the global warming fear-mongering spin.

[RedMonqey]

CSUF science professors said his articles published in science journals "Science" and "Nature" are actually letters to the editor.>

Yet they appluaded Al Gore's winning an Oscar for a "documentry"

Go figure.

[crazyshrink]

Excellent post...ty.

Al Gore worships at the altar of Gaia and prosylitizes to the world. We used to call them tele-evangelists (and worse)!!

http://www.usasurvival.org/cultofgaia.html

[woofer]

Nilay is another of those brilliant "climatologists" lending his lack of knowledge to the pot.

Nilay Patel, Assistant Professor, Ph.D., State University of New York at Stony Brook

Teaches: Genetics and Molecular Biology, Intermediate Cell Biology
Research: Gene regulation of apolipoportein E (apoE), role of apoE in Alzheimer's Disease

But, but, but...He's a scientist!

There's a consensus of scientists!
The discussion is over!
We have a consensus!

Friggin' idiots.

[steelyourfaith]

AGW™ ping

[Sgt_Schultze]

It's not GW, but this feels like the same argument.

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

Nilay Patel, assistant cell biology professor.

So he’s qualified to speak on climate science.

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

POGW Ping

[xcamel]

FReepmail me to get on or off
Click on POGW graphic for full GW rundown
Dr. John Ray's
GREENIE WATCH

---

[El Cid]

It seemed as if almost every 3rd sentence in this article included a backhanded slam (e.g., science organizations have criticized Michaels for exaggerating his credentials ...), or a rebuttal (...he is so far to the right...).
Nonetheless, this was probably one of the 'fairer' articles that you'll read about a 'Global Warming Denier'...

[AU72]

Before inviting Michaels to speak, the group checked his credentials online to verify his validity.

Like Alfore whose scientific academic credentials was a D in Natural Science.

[sourcery]

so I don’t think it’s a fair judgment that everyone has a right to speak

Rights are inherently reciprocal: You only have those rights which you permit others to have and enjoy.

[netmilsmom]

Exactly.
When someone “does not have a right to speak” as this person says, eventually, we all lose our rights.

[VeniVidiVici]

"He is being presented here as a moderate and a scientist," Patel said. "He is so far to the right, so I don't think it's a fair judgment that everyone has a right to speak. In reality, there is little scientist backing and more political spin."

World's Biggest Dumbass

[AaronInCarolina]

"He is being presented here as a moderate and a scientist," Patel said. "He is so far to the right, so I don't think it's a fair judgment that everyone has a right to speak. In reality, there is little scientist backing and more political spin."

When this Patel guy refers to Michaels as "so far to the right" I suspect it means relative to his own particular spot on the political spectrum. On an absolute scale, Pat Michaels is probably pretty close to the center. Patel is probably "so far to the left" in reality, as are most University profs.