Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

A Message for Children About Climate Change
Scottadamssays.com ^ | 9-23-2019 | Scott Adams

Posted on 09/26/2019 3:14:47 AM PDT by servo1969

Dear Children,

I’m sorry adults have frightened you about climate change and how it might affect your future. You might be less afraid if you knew some facts that adults intentionally do not explain to you. I’ll tell you here.

The news was once a source of real information, or so we thought. But in the modern world, the news people discovered they can make more money by presenting scary news regardless of whether it is true or not. Today, much of the news on the right and the left is opinion that is meant to scare you, not inform you, because scary things get more attention, and that makes the news business more profitable. The same is true for people who write books; authors often make books scary so you will buy them. Most adults know all the scariness is not real. Most kids do not. You just learned it.

Nuclear energy used to be dangerous, back in the olden days. Today’s nuclear power plants (the ones built in the past 20 years all over the world) have killed zero people, and are considered the safest form of energy in the world. More people have died installing solar panels and falling off roofs than have died from nuclear power problems anywhere in the world for the past few decades. And nuclear energy is the obvious way to address climate change, say most of the smartest adults in the world, because it can provide abundant, cheap, clean energy with zero carbon emissions.

Nuclear energy as a solution to climate change is one of the rare solutions backed by several Democrats running for president and nearly all Republicans. Please note that two Democrats in favor of nuclear energy (Corey Booker and Andrew Yang) are among the youngest and smartest in the game. To be fair, the oldest Democrat running for president, Joe Biden, also supports nuclear energy because he is well-informed.

If you are worried about nuclear waste, you probably should not be. Every country with nuclear energy (and there are lots of them) successfully stores their nuclear waste. If you put all the nuclear waste in the world in one place, it would fit on one football field. It isn’t a big problem. And new nuclear power designs will actually eat that nuclear waste and turn it into electricity, so the total amount of waste could come way down.

The United Nations estimates that the economic impact of climate change will reduce the economy by 10% in eighty years. What they don’t tell you is that the economy will be about five times bigger and better by then, so you won’t even notice the 10% that didn’t happen. And that worst case is only if we do nothing to address climate change, which is not the case.

A number of companies have recently built machines that can suck CO2 right out of the air. At the moment, using those machines would be too expensive. But as they come down in cost and improve in efficiency, we have a solution already in hand should it ever be needed. It would be expensive, but there is no real risk of CO2 ruining the world now that we know how to remove any excess from the atmosphere. (Plants need CO2 to thrive, so we don’t want to remove too much. Greenhouses actually pump in CO2 to make plants grow better.)

Scientists tell us that we could reduce climate risks by planting more trees. (A lot more.) That’s all doable, should the world decide it is necessary. There are a number of other companies and technologies that also address climate change in a variety of ways. Any one of the approaches I mentioned (nuclear energy, CO2 scrubbers, planting trees) could be enough to address any climate risks, but there are dozens of ways of dealing with climate change, and more coming every day.

Throughout all modern history, when we humans see a problem coming from far away, we have a 100% success rate in solving it. Climate change is no different. All the right people are working hard at a wide variety of solutions and already know how to get there, meaning more nuclear power plus CO2 scrubbers, plus lots of green power from solar, wind, and more.

If you are worried about rising sea levels, don’t be. The smartest and richest people in the world are still buying property on the beach. They don’t see the problem. And if sea levels do rise, it will happen slowly enough for people to adjust.

Adults sometimes like to use children to carry their messages because it makes it hard for the other side to criticize them without seeming like monsters. If adults have encouraged you to panic about climate change without telling you what I am telling you here, they do not have your best interests at heart. They are using you.

When you ask adults about nuclear energy, expect them to have old understanding about it, meaning they don’t know the newer nuclear energy technologies are the safest energy on the planet.

What I told you today is not always understood even by adults. You are now smarter than most adults on the topic of climate.

My generation has a lot of faith in your generation. You will be the most educated and effective humans of all time. My generation (and a few generations younger than me) already has the fixes to address climate risks coming online. Your generation will finish the job.

We adults respect your passion and your energy on the topic of climate. But it isn’t fair for us to deny you the basic facts while at the same time scaring you into action. I hope this letter helps you sleep better. We adults have this problem under control, or will soon, and you’ll help us finish the job. So get some good sleep tonight. Together, we got this.

Scott Adams


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Editorial; Government
KEYWORDS: adams; climate; dilbert; scott; scottadams
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041 next last

1 posted on 09/26/2019 3:14:47 AM PDT by servo1969
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: servo1969

*thumbs up*


2 posted on 09/26/2019 3:23:43 AM PDT by freedumb2003 (As always IMHO)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: servo1969

Would be good if any kids actually read it


3 posted on 09/26/2019 3:27:26 AM PDT by This_Dude
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: servo1969

Adams lost a lot of money when he predicted Trump’s victory three years ago.


4 posted on 09/26/2019 3:30:58 AM PDT by freedomjusticeruleoflaw (Strange that a man with his wealth would have to resort to prostitution.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: servo1969
Scott Adams has a very well reasoned take on politics. His views are derived in such a way that anyone who's enjoyed STEM disciplines can simply sit back and appreciate, even if we don't agree with them some of the time. It's a joy to have someone get into politics who approaches a position the same way that methodical thinkers would arrive at an engineering solution.

And no one can apply a zot-wand like an engineer.

5 posted on 09/26/2019 3:38:17 AM PDT by Caipirabob (Communists...Socialists...Fascists & AntiFa...Democrats...Traitors... Who can tell the difference?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: servo1969

“Throughout all modern history, when we humans see a problem coming from far away, we have a 100% success rate in solving it. Climate change is no different. All the right people are working hard at a wide variety of solutions and already know how to get there, meaning more nuclear power plus CO2 scrubbers, plus lots of green power from solar, wind, and more.”

Scott, Scott, Scott...come on, my good man. Wake up. AGW, MMGW, MMCC, whatever it is you or others wish to call it, is a hoax. As Simon & Garfunkel said, teach your children well. Tell them that many adults, seemingly prominent and highly accomplished, mean them ill. Tell them these nefarious adults are bent on depopulating the earth until the only remaining humans are themselves and people who agree with them (or who have virtue-signalled themselves to within an inch of their lives such that externally, at least, they can’t be distinguished from people who actually agree with them).


6 posted on 09/26/2019 3:48:51 AM PDT by one guy in new jersey
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Caipirabob

Thanks for posting that perspective.. when things calm down, maybe I will add this to my daily Albert Mohler.


7 posted on 09/26/2019 3:49:02 AM PDT by momincombatboots (Ephesians 6... who you are really at war with)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: servo1969

Scott Adams makes the mistake of assuming that anthropogenic climate change is a real thing. So far, there is *no* scientific evidence that CO2 can cause a change in temperature or hold heat in the atmosphere, and no evidence that humans can affect the actual drivers of global climate.

All of that said, it is very unfortunate that Scott Adams does not recognize the existential threat posed by machines that can pull CO2 out of the atmosphere. The concentration of CO2 has dropped steadily over the earth’s existence; it was, several million years ago, in the percent range, not parts per million. A lot of that CO2 has been sequestered in forms that are not biologically usable. We should be figuring out how to convert that carbon back into CO2, not figuring out ways to accelerate the conversion to unusable form. Life on earth will end when the CO2 runs out, 100 million to 1 billion years from now, but that estimate is only valid for the natural processes. It does not take into account the acceleration of the processes that remove the CO2 from the air.

All fossil fuels use returns CO2 to the air. That is a process that can only extend the duration of life on earth.

Not all scientists accept the CO2 driven climate change hypothesis. Those who do tend not to be life scientists who understand the crucial role of CO2 in maintaining a healthy biome. CO2 is life.


8 posted on 09/26/2019 3:49:50 AM PDT by exDemMom (Current visual of the hole the US continues to dig itself into: http://www.usdebtclock.org/)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: servo1969

9 posted on 09/26/2019 3:55:16 AM PDT by HotHunt (Been there. Done that.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: HotHunt

10 posted on 09/26/2019 4:04:31 AM PDT by GulfMan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: servo1969

He’s a hoaxer.


11 posted on 09/26/2019 4:05:59 AM PDT by central_va (I won't be reconstructed and I do not give a damn.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: servo1969

Nuclear reactors in America need to switch to thorium like Europe uses.

The waste is recyclable and what’s left has a shorter half-life.


12 posted on 09/26/2019 4:07:45 AM PDT by airborne (I don't always scream at the TV but when I do it's hockey season!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: one guy in new jersey

“As Simon & Garfunkel said, teach your children well.”

That was Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young.


13 posted on 09/26/2019 4:09:39 AM PDT by HartleyMBaldwin
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: one guy in new jersey

Crosby, Stills, and Nash recorded “Teach Your Children Well.”


14 posted on 09/26/2019 4:15:44 AM PDT by Tax-chick ("The potential for miscalculation and chaos is substantial." ~ Kevin Williamson)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: servo1969

A very good message from Scott Adams. No wonder kids get scared though. You should see the front page on weather.com


15 posted on 09/26/2019 4:17:20 AM PDT by EvilCapitalist (It's Ok to be white.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: servo1969
Greta is NOT pleased...
16 posted on 09/26/2019 4:21:10 AM PDT by Chode (Send bachelors, and come heavily armed!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: HartleyMBaldwin

Oops!

Next I suppose you’re going to tell me it wasn’t the Germans who bombed Pearl Harbor. LOL.


17 posted on 09/26/2019 4:23:51 AM PDT by one guy in new jersey
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: HartleyMBaldwin; Tax-chick

Alright, bet.

CROSBY STILLS NASH

Teach Your Children

You, who are on the road
Must have a code
That you can live by
And so
Become yourself
Because the past
Is just a good-bye
Teach you children well
Your father’s hell did slowly go by
And feed them on your dreams
The one they picks
The one you’ll know by
Don’t you ever ask them why
If they told you, you would cry
So just look at them and sigh
And know they love you

And you of tender years
Can’t know the fears
That your elders grew by
And so please help
Them with your youth
They seek the truth
Before they can die
Teach your parents well
The children’s hell
Will slowly go by
And feed them on your dreams
The one they picks
The one you’ll know by
Don’t you ever ask them why
If they told you, you would cry
So just look at them and sigh
And know they love you

Writer: Graham Nash


18 posted on 09/26/2019 4:36:00 AM PDT by one guy in new jersey
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: one guy in new jersey; Tax-chick

The following is what I found in Wikipedia:

“Teach Your Children” is a song by Graham Nash. Although it was written when Nash was a member of the Hollies, it was never recorded by that group in studio (a live recording does exist), and first appeared on the album Déjà Vu by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young released in 1970.


19 posted on 09/26/2019 4:57:14 AM PDT by HartleyMBaldwin
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: HartleyMBaldwin

Yep. Thanks.

Also from Wiki:

“Déjà Vu is the second album by Crosby, Stills & Nash, and their first as a quartet with Neil Young. It was released in March 1970 by Atlantic Records, catalogue SD 7200. It topped the pop album chart for one week and generated three Top 40 singles: “Woodstock”, “Teach Your Children”, and “Our House”.”

I hope Neil Young will remember.


20 posted on 09/26/2019 5:07:22 AM PDT by one guy in new jersey
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson