The Hot Topic

On the latest edition of CBC Canada’s science show, Quirks and Quarks, two of the guests were Sir David King and Dr. Gabrielle Walker, the authors of the new book “The Hot Topic - What We Can Do About Global Warming”. Listen to the audio here.

According to Sir David, we have passed the point of no return. It is too late to stop climate change. The debate is now on “what do we do”. Rampant consumerism must be replaced by preservation & conservation. Dr Walker mentions Scandinavian heat recovery systems as a great example for how technology can provide the solution for the global crisis. Of course, the development of heat recovery ventilation had nothing to do with trying to combat climate change. It was rather a way of reducing the energy costs (blog owner’s comment).

Neither do I believe that the Australians threw out the Howard government mainly because of its indifference to climate change (as mentioned in the interview). A Newspoll released in June 2006 identified health and medicare as the most important issue for Australian voters, with 83 per cent of respondents rating it “very important”. Other key issues included education (79 per cent) and the economy (67 per cent).

But then again, what should one expect from a show called “Quirks and Quarks”? Science issues in the popular media should not be approached without a salt shaker.