The recent article in the Washington Post about Carbon Capture and Sequestration is a great example of the growing amuont of disinformation on climate solutions permeating public opinion.

The beginning of the article made me hopeful that finally the attention is focusing away from scientifically and ecologically impossible technologies such as Carbon Capture and Sequestration. My glee was suddenly stumped when I read this:

"some academics are now arguing that scientists have greatly underestimated the technological leap that will be required in coming decades to curb dangerous warming."

 The academic that the article refers to is notorious climate delayer Roger Pielke Jr., one of the chief scientists at the Breakthrough Institute. Just like anything published by climate delayers, it received widespread criticism from just about anyone that knows anything about climate change. Then how and why do media outlets continue pitting award-winning, widely recognized scientists like James Hansen on the same level of science-deficient, corporate suckup, climate delaying tools like Pielke? 

 In addition to deceivingly portrarying 'both sides' of the 'scientific' argument about climate solutions, they quote James Rogers, head of Duke Energy saying:

"the scientist's [James Hansen's] demand reflects a 'snap-your-fingers, instant transition of the economy' mind-set."

This is the BIGGEST misconception about climate mitigation. This is THE problem with our climate debate. Preventing the catastrophic failure of our climate WILL take bold, unforeseen action that goes way beyond traditional economic theories. We need and 'instant transition of the economy', everything else will lead to failure. Maximizing corporate profits, being politically strategic and any other pre-climate tools to achieve change will lead us straight to the precipice, while we pat ourselves in the back for taking ‘small, significant steps’. Not willing to take the necessary bold action? You just damned your children to a life of fear and uncertainty. 

It is essential that the media reflect this urgent need for action and stop giving credit to fringe 'scientists' that fail to get any of their claims backed by any sort of peer-review system.

PS: I will be working with the Energy Action Coalition on compiling our Youth Action Steps for a Stable Climate. This document will elaborate on the bold steps our nation needs to take to address the climate crisis.