The problem, as I see it, was identified nicely by Al Gore. He talked about a 'generational mission'. Defeating climate change, was to become the raison d'etre of a whole generation.
A generational mission isn't a bad idea, and I think it's one that resonates with humans. I think humans like to, perhaps crave to, join into something bigger than themselves. They want and like an all encompassing cause that they can devote their time, energy, and emotion to. They like to belong, and they're happiest when they think the belonging is for something Good.
This craving to belong was satisified for the longest time by being a member of a tribe, or some other group whose goal was survival. Then, as survival became a bit easier, and structure developed, we got religion, and that satisfied many people for a long time. Still does, for some people.
But one of the outcomes of the modern world, had been the stripping away of many of the old belief structures that we used to cling to. Lots of people don't have religion, they have tenuous family ties, etc. There's nothing but themselves, but inside, they want something more.
So along comes this new Crusade: the defeat of climate change. This has a lot of appeal: it appears to be a worthy good cause, it is appealing to those who don't like capitalism and the modern world of consumerism, because it apparently means a curbing of those things, and maybe there is a touch of atonement in it, a bit of suffering for all the wrongs we've done in the name of consumerism and individualism.
So people line up to join. Oh, I forgot to mention another factor in their desire to join: fear. Not only does it seem a good idea, but the media generated fear, via wild overstatements etc, has made it seem like joining immediately, and going great guns, is an imperative.
Which brings us to the difficulty. When people buy into a belief system like this, it is done on more than an intellectual level. It is done on an emotional and visceral level as well. It stops just being something they believe in: they internalize it. It becomes them, in part, and they become it. They identify with it.
And so, when you question this theory that they believe in, you aren't just questioning the theory. In their minds, in their hearts, you are questioning part of their very identity. You are questioning the thing that gets them out of bed in the morning.
And so the response isn't a measured, scientific one: it's a hysterical one, with yelling and screaming, and demonizing the evil ones who are calling into question all that is sacred.
Does this sound like an exaggeration? Just look at those quotes of mine above, from people who compare those who have questions about climate change, with pedophiles and holocaust deniers. People who call for Nuremburg trials for questioners.
These aren't the responses of individuals involved in a scientific debate. These are the responses of acolytes faced with the abomination of heresy.
