There’s been some discussion about the “indoctrination” of AGW theory in school systems worldwide, mostly by teachers showing Al Gore’s movie, An Inconvenient Truth, in schools.
As a former school trustee in my town of Chico, CA, I can vouch for the fact that AIT has been shown in some local schools, with student discussions centered around it. It is of course not on the approved curriculum, but some teachers take it upon themselves to introduce it into the classroom on their own. Since most teachers have leeway in choosing films to show to classes, unlike with textbooks, which are chosen by the school board, films generally “fly under the radar” requiring only a form approved by the school principal.
So it was with interest that I was advised of a new website, Kids Against Anthropongenic Global Warming, put together by 14 year old girl from Far North Queensland, Australia. I see it as an antithesis to the horrible website that was put together by Australia’s ABC TV network:
TV Network Tells Kids How Long Their Carbon Footprint Should Allow Them to Live
I’ve never seen a more disgusting kid-theme for “science” education than the above link.
This Kids againts AGW site is done in the spirit of Krysten Byrnes, who wrote an essay that caught worldwide attention and then launched a website with more essays and ideas, this website is in it’s infancy. As we saw with Krysten, it takes courage to go against what is generally accepted by your peers at school. Unfortunately, she’s using a pseudonym, which is something I discourage with adults, since I think you should stand behind your words. But maybe this is the only way mum and dad would allow her to do it. Here’s a bit about her from her website:
Hi, my name’s Eloise (pseudonym) and I am a 14 year old girl from Far North Queensland, Australia. My dad first informed me that the concept of Anthropogenic Global Warming was nothing but a theory presented as fact. It really started to annoy me that people would just believe what anyone *Al Gore* says, without asking for any evidence to support what was said. My dad showed me some online links and pushed me to find a conclusion myself. My conclusion: Al Gore is a hypocrite and scaremongers people into paying him to lecture without even letting himself be challenged by skeptics, people usually want to think that man is evil and imposing on the earth and most importantly that Anthropogenic Global Warming is nothing but an unproven theory. And that is the most “Inconvenient Truth”.
Emphasis hers. Let’s give the kid some encouragement. – Anthony
I have my doubts about whether she is actually a 14yo girl. I mean I didn’t see one LOL in the entire site!
But seriously the TV network is the taxpayer funded Australian Broadcasting Corporation and are waaaay in the AGW camp. They are ultra PC and shape almost every story about AGW into a criticism of Big Coal (I’ve heard them use that phrase) and love to link AGW skeptics to Big Oil or, popularly, Big Tobacco.
I’m not sure about other countries but here in Oz we have very abundant coal and almost all our power comes from burning it. Huge exporters as well. So getting the science right is hyper important as we are probably in the worst position if we decide to stop emitting CO2.
Love the blog, I’ve learnt a lot from this site.
Just because she’s 14 doesn’t mean she doesn’t have someone proofreading or coaching her. And not all teenagers act the way you’d expect.
Good on you Eloise!
Stick to your guns and keep assessing the evidence.
Cheers Graeme
OMGoodness! My kids, 2nd & 3rd Graders, get Al Gore shoved down their throats all the time–good to see the the other side of the coin!
I see no reason why a 16, 14, or even a 12-year old can’t tackle some of the thornier issues of Global warming. The language sure takes a beating, and even I can see where some noses are growing longer when certain “truths” are being stretched.
Use of the words “consensus”, for example. Good luck, Eloise.
I’m really tired of hearing about how we caused GW in school. All i hear from my science professer is GW crap. Hope people soon learn that GW is a hoax.
Oh dear, oh dear….
“I see no reason why a 16, 14, or even a 12-year old can’t tackle some of the thornier issues of Global warming”…
No, you wouldn’t. Considering it has taken a whole host of scientific disciplines the better part of a generation to refine the measurements, techniques and statistical tools necessary to make firm conclusions about this very complicated process – I see no reason why the opinions (for that’s all they are) of a teenager, who likely has not the slightest clue how to interpret a scientific paper let alone judge the accuracy of its contents or the reputation of its author(s), have any relevance whatsoever. For thinking that it is not so does not make it thus…..
Parroting the ill-informed views of her father doesn’t exactly show any sense of genuine inquiry or bravery. If our little ‘Eloise’ really cared about the issue, rather than her online image, she should spend the next ten years (that’s a minimum for how long it would take an above-average student to grasp the requisite facts) learning all there is to know about the science and THEN publish her findings in a peer-reviewed journal so that she can point out where the experts have made their errors – for that’s where the real reputations are earned, not by taking cheap, substance free shots online.
And Gunner B, you may be real tired of hearing about the AGW, but you’d better be ready to hear a hell of a lot more because with carbon emissions actually accelerating, we’re in for a rough ride. So please, people, try checking your facts first.