In his criticism of Dr. Whitcombe's editorial on climate change, Art Betke utilizes what at first comes across as a lucid and well thought-out argument against the overwhelmingly popular notion that climate change is very real. By utilizing occurrences that show specific events in weather, Mr. Betke builds a straw man argument.
After 30 years of working as an adult, and recently becoming disabled, I now attend the University of Northern British Columbia at the age of 50. I am not a young, crusading, first-year student environmentalist. My previous work experience in fact had me employed in an industry that was inherently at odds with the environment. What I have brought to university is a thirst for knowledge and a great deal of real-life experience. I have also brought with me an ever-growing sense of humility as I have been forced to strip myself of many of the preconceived notions I had, and the know-it-all sensibilities I used to cling to.
Dr. Whitcombe is a highly respected professor and a faculty chair at UNBC. He, along with dozens of other professors at UNBC, are carrying out research projects that have not only added legitimacy to the reality of climate change, but many are actually performing work that one day could help in mitigating some of its effects. Work on glaciers and the constant receding of glaciers, ocean research, climate and weather research and research into the effects of climate change on forests, flora, fauna, humanity, in our own area and around the world, continues.
UNBC is a research institute with an exemplary reputation worldwide. UNBC has been consistently ranked near the top of research universities worldwide and shares the distinction of being one of four research universities in British Columbia along with UBC, SFU and UVIC. Our faculty and governance have pedigree, with many of our professors coming from research-based, degree granting institutions in Canada, the U.S., Great Britain and the rest of the world.
Dr. Whitcombe does not express opinion. He states facts and he does so with decades-old, worldwide, research-based and proven science. Mr. Betke's hubris or arrogance would have you think that a few moments spent the internet is enough to rebuff the global scientific community by citing events that don't represent the planet or the big picture.
Climate is as complicated as it is fragile. Climate change is real and science proves as much.
Mike Maslen,
Prince George
