Posted on 09/12/2011 7:21:16 PM PDT by grady
Returning from ball practice tonight, my 5th grader informed me that today, in science class, he learned that carbon dioxide is causing global warming, melting glaciers, etc., etc. My initial reaction was to say "that's a bunch of baloney" but I contained myself. I'm not surprised that they're teaching it, and I'm ok with him hearing about it (it's everywhere nowadays anyway), provided he learns to take in the information with a critical mindset and challenge it. He'll learn more that way anyway.
We discussed the difference between theories and facts, as well as the importance of using the scientific method to get from the former to the latter. I don't want him to simply walk into class and tell the teacher that his dad thinks she's teaching nonsense. Instead, I'd like him to be prepared to challenge the the validity of her lesson by simply asking questions that she'll be unable to answer.
Perhaps he can ask: Does ALL scientists believe that CO2 causes global warming? If not, what do the other scientists think? How do we know global warming is caused by CO2 and not something else? What might prove it's not happening (i.e. current cooling) and has anything like that happened that you know of? Can you explain how the scientific method was applied and supports the theory? Was the earth always the same temperature or has climate always varied?
I don't believe the teacher will be prepared to do anything other than read out of the book. Therefore, I think that if he asks the right questions, and sees that the teacher is unprepared to answer, he might draw his own conclusions as to whether he should believe the hype.
He's a smart kid who's not afraid to respectfully raise such a challenge to a teacher. So, fellow Freepers, this is where I could use your help. How many of you have addressed this before and what suggestions do you have to help my kid put a critical spotlight on this lesson plan? Are there any resources out there I might rely on?
Have him ask his teacher “well then, what ended the last ice age 25,000 years ago?” Neanderthal fires? Neanderthal CO2?
Co2 makes up .036% of the atmosphere. You’d might want to illustrate how little that realli is.
Look up the particulars to the fact that water vapor is the number one (by far) greenhouse gas. Have him ask the teacher what scientists are planning to do about the water vapor problem.
I'm not saying don't educate your child, but also educate him to the fact that liberals choose to be fools, and most of them can't be helped.
“Teacher”...Why did the British Climate guys change the data to hide the cooling of the Earth?
and then “Teacher” why did the British Climate Guys E-mail each other to lie and hide the fact that they changed the Data”?
and “Teacher” Why do the Global Warming Guys leave out water Vapor in their totals of Green House Gasses?..
since it is the largest ammount of Green House Gass...wont leaving it out make Co2 look alot larger even though it is
insignificant when compared to Water Vapor?
“Isnt that Cheating?” Teacher Do You support Cheating?
Todd Schnitt, a syndicated radio talk host from Tampa, Florida has done a good job over the years of chronicling the fraud through internet documents:
http://www.schnittshow.com/pages/globalwarming.html
Three very important facts:
1. Water vapor is the predominant greenhouse gas.
http://www.geocraft.com/WVFossils/greenhouse_data.html
2. Solar output is the dominant energy factor. Here is a sample article, though by no means comprehensive, it does show long lived patterns.
http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/features.cfm?feature=1319
3. Man simply cannot produce enough carbon dioxide to be a climate tipping point.
I think if the discussion (if any) takes place face to face, and not in front of the class, the science teacher — if she has any ethics left — will encourage the student to inquire for himself. I know I believed some pretty wacky things when I was a student and the science teacher encouraged me to check them out scientifically.
If this involves stuff to be regurgitated for a test, your son can simply preface his answers with “many scientists believe” and keep his integrity.
Schools once taught that Pluto was a planet. Schools now teach it’s not. The Earth was flat, now it’s round.
I like this point because it's very accessible for a 10-year old. N and O are very big numbers compared to that fraction of a percent. Makes for good visual reasoning. Thanks.
And thanks to all who've responded...the answers are coming too quickly to keep up!
Ask him how accurate he thinks the “weather person” is....can they predict the weather out a week, a month, a year? If not, how the heck can they predict any global warming years from now....
Plus ask him about the dinosaurs...remind him they lived in CANADA...because Canada used to be semi-tropical....where were the humans causing CO2 then? Or the auto’s?
You’ll have him questioning in no time, which will be the best education of all!
On the Pluto question, they would be amiss to not note that it was formerly considered a planet but that scientists tightened the criteria for a planet well after the discovery of Pluto.
For flat earths one has to go WAY back, further than you’d think. Even some ancients (B.C.) figured the earth to be curved.
My kids would answer "the answer you want is X. However, here is why x is wrong....."
“The Sceptics Handbook” would be a good place to start.
http://jonova.s3.amazonaws.com/sh1/the_skeptics_handbook_2-3_lq.pdf
What is ‘Calvert?’
Here’s a very recent article that I thought was quite good.
Have a look and if you agree, give it to your kid.
Global Warming: The Campus Non-Debate
http://www.mindingthecampus.com/originals/2011/09/global_warming_the_campus_non-.html
Excellent point. He will have to regurgitate this stuff, so that approach helps. In fact, I think any teacher - any respectable one anyway - would have to recognize that such a qualifier makes it a more accurate answer, no matter which side of the debate she chooses to believe.
Things to discuss...
In the 1970s, climatologists where spreading a theory of global cooling and a new ice age. You can read a newsweek article on the subject with a quick google search.
A great question... Weren’t scientists at one point concerned about global cooling? It will trip up the teacher... And help him be skeptical.
Next... Nearly all climatologists agree with global warming... However physicists, who are not dependent on climate change grant money to do research often have other hypothesis. A question based on this specific fact will also trip up the teacher who will likely assert that all scientists agree.
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