Global warming threats exaggerated, says Cardinal Pell

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Global warming

Claims of 'doomsdayers' and scientific evidence don't match, Pell says

Comments: 33

Sydney, Australia, Feb 19, 2007 / 01:36 pm (CNA).- Cardinal George Pell is calling for caution regarding exaggerated claims of severe global warming and says he’s “deeply skeptical about man-made catastrophic global warming, but still open to further evidence.”

In his weekly Sunday Telegraph column, the cardinal-archbishop of Sydney said people have been “subjected to a lot of nonsense about climate disasters as some zealots have been painting extreme scenarios to frighten us.”

He called those who make claims about ice caps melting and ocean levels rising spectacularly “doomsdayers” and “scaremongers.”

He also called to account journalists who have called for Nuremberg-style trials for global warming skeptics and who have compared skeptics with “Holocaust deniers.” The media during the last 100 years, he also noted, has flip-flopped between promoting fears of a coming Ice Age and fears of global warming.

“What we were seeing from the doomsdayers was an induced dose of mild hysteria, semi-religious if you like, but dangerously close to superstition,” he said. “I would be surprised if industrial pollution, and carbon emissions, had no ill effect at all. But enough is enough.”

The cardinal acknowledged that enormous climate changes have occurred in world history, such as the Ice Ages and Noah’s flood. Long and terrible droughts are not infrequent in Australian history either, he pointed out.

He cited some scientific evidence to try to make sense of it and noted that the evidence on warming is, in fact, mixed.

He noted that:
•   Global warming has been increasing constantly since 1975 at the rate of less than one-fifth of a degree centigrade per decade.
•   The concentration of carbon dioxide increased surface temperatures more in winter than in summer and especially in mid and high latitudes over land, while there was a global cooling of the stratosphere.
•   The East Anglia University climate research unit found that global temperatures did not increase between 1998 and 2005.
•   A recent NASA satellite found that the Southern Hemisphere has not warmed in the past 25 years.

“The science is more complicated than the propaganda!” he concluded.

Comments: 33

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Chris
Lewiston/NY/USA 01/31/2010 12:15 AM EST

Mitchell Geere re: "It is our duty as the "supposed keepers of earth", by decree of your gods". Show me where and when this was written and I will suggest that it was written by a man, and not by any made up God in an attempt to explain something that simply no man can answer or understand. I have no answers, any more than you or anyone else, but I do not choose to explain my thoughts either way by invoking a dreamt up mythical spirit as being the answer. Humans are "so clever" that unless there's money to be made there's very few who really deep down give a damn about anything but themselves and their immediate loved ones. Otherwise there would be no poverty, home repossessions, or such like. It's just become acceptable to look the other, and be thankful that it's not you finding yourself it that situation. Despite millennia of so called civilization development, there's very few in this world who have been used to living with all they need around them to live comfortably, that would would not totally abandon civility in order to secure food and water for their family if the only other option was certain death. Thankfully, so far, I have not been in that situation myself, and naturally hope that is never the case, but while there are tens of millions living on this planet that do find themselves in such a situation, then the human race continues to demonstrate itself as a totally hypocritical and uncivilized species. To believe anything else is total BS.

Published by: Mitchell Geere
Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa 01/29/2010 08:07 AM EST

So this post is two years old but I just found it and therefore I see it as new. I don't care whether global warming is a propaganda or not. The point is we are systematically destroying whole species, daily. We have become gluttonous pigs, all fro the sake of "progress". We are such an arrogant specie yet we can't find a source of energy that can run in harmony with the planet. Whether the affects we see on the poles are our doing or not that is irrelevant, what is relevant is that we should change our ways become more in tune with our world. I think if we can get this balance and harmony right it will have a substantially good impact on society, in that we can perhaps start living healthier, kinder and respectful lives. The industrial age is over, the information age is crushing and forcing it to it's knees. The industrial juggernaut is clambering to what it can and lying to the ignorant is many large organizations have always done. So whether we are the cause of this problem or not, we still have to fix it. It is our duty as the "supposed keepers of earth", by decree of your gods.

Published by: edguy99
canada 12/16/2009 02:57 AM EST

All of Greenland has melted in each interglacial period (there have been four interglacial periods) over the last 400,000 years. Why do we not expect it to melt this time? Why do we think we can do anything about it?

Published by: addiction treatment
us 03/27/2009 01:18 AM EST

You are absolutely correct about GW being a ’scam’. A telling point that can be easily understood by the general public is the earth’s temperature history since 1998. The fact that the earth’s temperature has not increased during this period of increasing atmospheric

addiction treatment

Published by: tony
purcellville virginia united states 09/12/2008 10:45 AM EST

This is really sad to see people think that god is going to destroy this planet or not because in reality we the humans will. The great Cradinal Pell can go back to his monistery and just be quiet he is not a scientist. There are more than enough reasons to change our ways. We have been treating this planet like its ours since the beginning of time. Google it if you dont believe me. We are going to die and we are going to kill ourselves unless there is major change around the world.

Published by: Roy Watson
Mason, TX 11/27/2007 01:28 PM EST

Rate: Good

I would like to say that only GOD will decide when to destroy this planet not MAN. Its just like MAN to think they can fix this "GLOBAL WARMING" , which in TRUTH is over exaggerated by the left and liberal tree huggers, who don't believe in a GOD. There will be no atheist the moment the eastern sky opens. It's better to believe in GOD and die to find out that there is no GOD. Than it is not to believe in GOD and die to find out that there is a GOD! GOD is in CONTROL. AL GORE didn't invent the INTERNET and he doesn't know anything about GLOBAL WARMING.

Published by: Robert Rice
New Hartford/CT/USA 03/05/2007 08:01 PM EST

Global warming does not have any relevance to the discussion about Galileo, it must be said We must remember that no one—not even Galileo, had acknowledged proof for the motion of the earth in 1632. Evidence would come later, but that evidence was not available to the judges in 1633. The first experimental confirmation of stellar parallax, for example, did not come until the nineteenth century so believing that the earth was motionless was not absurd in the seventeenth century. For people at that time, if physics and the Bible seemed to agree, that constituted strong reasons to reject the motion of the earth. in matters of empirical science or anything that is not what is called de fide, the Church can and has made many reversals. The decisions in the Galileo case were disciplinary or procedural, not doctrinal matters at all, even though some individuals in the Church at the time thought they were. If these had been matters of dogma, the Church could not have reversed itself.

Published by: John Healy
Washington, DC 03/02/2007 03:53 PM EST

Matt,

I do not go to original sources and I doubt you do either. There are hundreds of books about Gallileo. I have not found a single book or article that implies that Gallileo was a mentally unstable egomaniac with unsupportable scientific ideas. He was opposing a Church teaching and advocating a new way of thinking - scientific thinking. The Church still thought that metaphysics based on Aristotle could explain everything. The Church persecuted Gallileo because he spoke some scientific truths that violated their preconceived notions. The Church was intolerant. When someone speaks the truth and you persecute them for it, you are wrong, not that person.

Published by: Robert Rice
New hartford, CT, USA 03/01/2007 09:46 PM EST

Rate: Good

I read that Mars is experiencing the same warming trend as earth. Hmmm...It's warming here, humans are to blame; Let's see, I guess Martians are to blame for the global warming of Mars. Oh Wait, there are no Martians on Mars. Let's see. What common factor could possibly affect the warming of two planets around the same Sun? I just do not see what it could be? Oh my stars what could it be? Anyone?

Published by: Robert Rice
New Hartford, CT, USA 02/28/2007 05:25 PM EST

None of these arguments proves that "Global Warming" is a phenomenon caused by Man. The earth has warmed and cooled for millions of years. Again I ask, and no one answers, how did the earth warm to melt the previous ice ages? Was it man made Global warming? No! No tribal man, no hunter gather man and modern man has no way to impact earth's weather, cooling or warming. We can have zero emissions for a hundred years and volcanoes will still belch out tons and tons of carbon dioxide and other so called greenhouse gasses. We can not affect the earth's temperature if we tried. Again, it is a convenient lie to say "Global Warming is all evil Man's doing" He must repent, Let the Government tell you what to drive, how to live and where to live. Unless you answer me how the earth warmed to melt the ice ages, then just consider your Global Warming Science so much Hooey! Hey perhaps what you really want is another ice age?

Published by: Jack
USA 02/28/2007 04:08 PM EST

Good analysis. Let's all remember that the End of Time will come suddenly, when God the Father is ready.

Published by: HMacK
Brunei 02/27/2007 10:45 PM EST

Well done Cardinal Pell. Remember the great demographic horror of that charlattan Ehrlich. Remember the incessant fraudulent garbage with artists impressions constantly churned up by evolutionists who have the audacity to call it "science". Read Apocalypse and Our Blessed Saviour's accounts of the end times in St Matthew 24 etc. Then, forget about the egoistical fame seeking prophets of doom who inhabit every century. Turn off the sensationalist popular media and look to more reliable and truly informative sources of information. More importantly, be with Him in the silence as much as you can and then you will understand that it is Our Heavenly Father Who has created our universe and Who holds all things in the palm of His divine hand. Deo Gratias!

Published by: Matt
New York 02/27/2007 07:23 PM EST

John Healy,

No you are incorrect. I have studied history for years and none of the things you claim have any historical weight to back them up. Galileo today would be in a mental hospital after he basically proclaimed himself god and everyone from Aquinas, to Aristotle to Copernicous wrong and that only he was right. He lost his mind. Evolution again is not accepted by every scientist and your numbers are extremely flawed, plus not all discount creation, that is just porpoganda. Global Warming.....just right in the same line of thinking.
The answers are in history, which is a much a science as anything else. In order to know it, you have to look at the actual first hand accounts from the times.....none of which support what you said.

Published by: John Healy
Washington/DC/USA 02/27/2007 01:44 PM EST

Matt,

Gallileo was a great scientist. He was persecuted by the Church for advocating heliocentrism. He did not advocate hatred or violence. He was sanctioned for his scientific viewpoints. You indicate that the Church was just getting around to accepting heliocentrism. In fact, it was not until over 100 years later than the Church stopped banning Gallileo's book on heliocentrism (we are not talking about accepting heliocentrism - we are talking about allowing discussion about it).

Evolution is the basis of modern biology. About 99.9% of the biologists accept evolution - virtually no scientists accett creationism

Global warming caused by human intervention is accepted by virtually all scientists except ones who have sold their soul to the oil companies. This is not in dispute. Of course, humans can affect climate - we have affected most conditions on earth.

Published by: Robert Rice
New Hartford, CT, USA 02/26/2007 09:34 PM EST

Dear Matt,
Thanks for saving me the trouble of slamming Yvon with the truth about Galileo. you are right-on. It was really as you say. I was Nicolaus Copernicus, the great Catholic Monk who in 1514 first formulated the heliocentric theory that in 1632 Galileo confirmed, then tried to beligerantly force everyone to accept as Gospel truth without first offering them benefit of doing their own research to confirm. A pompous and arrogant man.

Published by: Robert Rice
New Hartford, CT USA 02/26/2007 09:57 AM EST

I disagree that Global warming is an issue on the same plane with Conservatism. The myth of Global Warming and the attempts to control humanities use of natural resources is not conservatism, but is merely a left over version of communist control of people, power, isolating the peoples right to freedom of movement. It is another socialist agenda masquerading as science. It is more like scientology. The Bishop has to get involved because this hoax known as Global Warming is a pseudo religion. It glorifies the earth, rather than the creator of the earth. It puts humans last behind the benefit of Mother Earth! Behold the all powerful Nature. St. Francis had it right. It is not Mother Earth. It is sister earth and brother moon. Earth is the mother of nothing, for God is the father of everything in creation. All the kooks who promote this Conservo-whackyness, like al-gore and the Hollywood elite, are all hypocrites, jetting around in fossil fuel belching aircraft, gas guzzling limos and live extravagant lifestyles, while calling the rest of humanity to penance fro driving their cars to get to work. You sin when you heat your house with oil, drive your car or take a vacation. Do these kooks really think we can control nature? Again I ask, how did the ice ages end without man's intervention? Global temperatures are cyclic like everything in Nature. It is the way God made it. Some shall witness a new Heaven and a new earth born born in fire. That will be the real Global Warming!

Published by: ozonator
louisiana 02/23/2007 06:16 PM EST

How could Charles Wadlow and Cardinal Pell find the entire country of Australia as “hysterical liberals” for faking such thirst and heat amidst a summer stroll?

“Prime Minister John Howard said he was pleased with the meeting of state leaders on the Murray-Darling river system ... to allow the federal government to take control of irrigation rights ... Australia, already the world's driest continent, has been suffering a drought for up to a decade in some parts — its worst water shortage in a century — crippling its agricultural sector and forcing many cities and towns to enact tight water restrictions as reservoirs dry up” (“Victoria holds out on drought-hit Australia's water distribution deal”; The Associated Press; iht.com, 2/23/07).

Published by: Matt
New York 02/23/2007 04:36 PM EST

Yvon is wrong again.

The Church did not sanction Galileo for claiming the earth was round and revolved around the sun. He was condemned because the Church said it needed time to look at the discovery, and eventually agreed with him, but he went on an anti-catholic crusade against the Church. That was why he was penalized, he was preaching hatred and violence. The belief that he was sacntioned for his scientific viewpoints is an urban myth.
Second, evolution has NEVER been proven, that is why it is called a theory and they have never addressed certain issues, like how can human beings now rationalize, they totally ignore answering certain things.
Third since when is trying to control climate, which changes naturally in areas over time and has throughout history, allowing God's creation to be destroyed? God created the laws of nature, he controls them, humans who try and do that are rejecting God.

Published by: Charles Wadlow
Kirkland, WA 02/22/2007 08:11 PM EST

I like and respect Cardinal Pell a great deal. He offers some key scientific points that some of the hysterical liberals in this blog decided not to attack, but rather personally attacked him. Liberals are all the same. I didn't see one of them refute his scientific information.

While I may agree with the Archbishop, I would rather make a mistake on the side of conservation. Conservation is a great thing and doing things more cleanly makes us better stewards of the planet God gave us.

These same whacked out tree hugging naturefacisct are the exact same types who vote pro-abortion and pro-gay marriage. They are completely upside down with their hiarchy of values. They are much like our Catholic Democrats who vote for a wage hike and health care svc, but want late term abortion and want to redefine marriage. ;(

In the future though, all our Bishops should stick with faith and morals for that is their only area of true infallibility.

"Catholic orthodoxy is the cure that kills moral and theological relativism." AMDG!

Published by: Yvon Thivierge
Ottawa ON Canada 02/22/2007 01:42 PM EST

Will cardinal Pell soon say the Church was right in banishing Galileo for saying the Earth was round and circled the Sun.
Is he rejecting science and evolution and embracing mythology and creationism?
Because he allows God's creation to be destroyed, he should not be shepperding anyone or anyting.

Published by: Ciaran McGuinness
England 02/21/2007 09:12 AM EST

Cardinal Pell is very irresponsible.As a Pastor he should lead people in truth.In this time of Lent he should lead people away from gluttonous consumerism and help them honour and preserve the planet for us and our children.

Published by: Ozonator
Louisiana 02/20/2007 09:18 PM EST

The Cardinal, like most of respondents, have failed the cardinal scientific rule of providing any proof of a working knowledge of the subject beyond psychic powers, greed, and clicking their heels together three times. For example, I did not read one bogus solar flare or sunspot prediction concerning the Sun of God that would drive a host of current weather models and requiring the homework of your average 8th grade class of little boys and girls. Not only are environmentalists already considered “extremists” and ecoterrorists by this crowd, those a number of little children have been equally guilty of “faking” data.

Published by: Scott Audet
Clarksville/Tn./USA 02/19/2007 11:23 PM EST

I'm glad that the Cardinal stepped up to the plate and denounced all that liberal nonsense about so called global warming. But I'm sure that Al Gore doesn't appreciate it because its bad for DVD sales.

Published by: Fr. David Kozak
Allentown,Pa. USA 02/19/2007 10:27 PM EST

The last time a high churchman has pronounced so authoritatively about a scientific issue we got into trouble with the Gallileo case and our Holy Father had to apologise many centuries later. Be careful Cardinal Pell!Shoemaker stisk to thy lastn (mind your own business Trans.)

Published by: Robert Rice
New Hartford/CT/USA 02/19/2007 09:58 PM EST

There have been many ice ages in Earth's past, yet the world warmed then without the help of mankind. So how did the world warm then? There were no man made emissions, no industrial revolution to create smog or airborne pollutants, no cars, no carbon monoxide, yet the world warmed and the ice ages retreated.
Where are the ice ages now?
The religion of environmentalism seeks to control what we do and the energy we consume and impose a Penalty . Money will solve the problem. They will take our money and fix the worl! Ha! More socialist agendas. Man is so vain, he thinks he can control global warming, but cannot even predict the weather. What pompous fools these environmentalists are. As I sit here freezing in the North Eastern US, I wonder where this "global warming is? Florida maybe. Al Gore? Oh please, the fool!
This is the Lord's earth and he set the seasons in motion.

WISDOM For he hath given me the true knowledge of the things that are: to know the disposition of the whole world, and the virtues of the elements, 18 The beginning, and ending, and midst of the times, the alterations of their courses, and the changes of seasons, 19 The revolutions of the year, and the dispositions of the stars, 20 The natures of living creatures, and rage of wild beasts, the force of winds, and reasonings of men

Published by: Matt
New York 02/19/2007 09:36 PM EST

Cardinal Pell is one of the best in the Church, unlike some in this country (the one in San Francisco is a good example of that.) Global warming is nothing more than another lie generated by secularism. It joins other such lies as

"Abortion is a right, not a child."
"Homosexuality is inborn and unchangeable"
"Contaceptives prevent AIDS"
"Euthanasia is mercy killing."
"Evolution proves we came from monkeys."
"If you believe homosexuality is wrong its homophobia"
"If you believe women can't be priests then your sexist."
"Religious Freedom means banning all beliefs from public."
"Embryonic stem-cell research will cure all diseases, not adult cells."

Just another phony theory used to make money and hiding it behind science. Science is Not infallible and if you study history, you will see thses things either are fake and destructive.

Published by: rene josef
PHILIPPINES 02/19/2007 08:25 PM EST

Cardinal Pell is 100% in his observations and comments. The Catholic Church is the only most credible institution left in the world today. Leaders of Catholic Church like Cardinal Pell must expose the hidden agenda of the FREEMASONS worldwide masquarading as pro-environments. This so-called secret society controls the world today. The freemasons are the forces behind this propaganda. Decades ago, they told us the world is overpopulated, now they are telling us, the world is in its way to self-destruction because of global warning. Let the truth thru Christ prevails.
In Domine.

Published by: Will
River Falls, WI 02/19/2007 08:18 PM EST

FINALLY, some with some common sense speaks out loud and clear.

Published by: Jim
Port Orange/FL/USA 02/19/2007 08:17 PM EST

I thank you Cardinal Pell for bringing back reason to the world's discussion on "Global Warming." We need sound reason to prevail in this debate that has been elevated to new heights of distortion I believe in order to satisfy the agenda of power hungry politicians like Al Gore, etc. The evidence is strong that the power output of the sun has increased for the past three decades, the length of time we have been able to measure this physical parameter of our solar system. This is a much more likely explanation for the current slight increases in average global temperatures we are now observing. My head is not in the sand Mr.McCaffery; it is placed squarely on my head and I frankly believe I am using the blessings of reason bestowed upon me by my King and my Creator. Check it out for yourself; the increasing solar output is an explanation for increasing global temperatures. By the way, while you’re at it, forgive us who have not quite fallen for the doomsayers’ tactics. If Al Gore really believed what he is preaching, why does he take so many private jet flights that each time is putting out such a volume of carbon emissions that it puts the output of several SUV’s to shame?

Published by: George Angel
Canada 02/19/2007 05:06 PM EST

The most serious consequences of this massive global warming hysteria propaganda campaign especially in the western world through numerous governments and the mainstream mass media is the tremendous amount of hot air that is eminating from all these governments and media doomsdayers. The number one issue facing the human race today by far are policies and legislation promoting the ever encroaching culture of death agenda that is causing drastic declines in new births especially throughout Europe and the entire western world. With all due respect to all these global warming doomsdayers, what is the point of all this talk of a so called "green" world if you do not have a future population base to sustain mankind in the first place. If mankind and all these governments and media voices truly wants to save the human race, start supporting policies and legislation that promote the culture of life around the entire world. Start promoting the endless love and mercy of God and the culture of life that was created by God the creator of mankind and the entire universe and beyond. "Deus Caritas Est." God Is Love. Pray, Pray, Pray!

Published by: Mike McCaffrey
Yarmouthport, MA 02675 02/19/2007 03:39 PM EST

Rate: Regular

Perhaps the good cardinal is a Fox News consultant or at least a member of the club which likes to do ostrich regarding Al Gore's movie. Then you'll read he has written an article about intellugent design in the public school curriculum.

Published by: Henry
Virginia 02/19/2007 02:55 PM EST

Does Pell also support Creationism?

Published by: John Hart
Greenville, SC, USA 02/19/2007 02:14 PM EST

Thank you, Cardinal Pell for your article on "global warming." I placed quotation marks around this buzz-phrase because it seems to be a scare tactic generated by environmental extremists.

John Hart

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