Click on this hilarious video and you will hear comedian Stephen Colbert asking if global warming is being caused by “sunspots” and GM vice-chair Bob Lutz answering:
“… in the opinion of about 32,000 of the world’s leading scientists, yes.”
The reference in what is otherwise a lighthearted comedy segment demonstrates the toxicity of the climate change denial movement.
The 32,000 deniers in question are not the “world’s leading scientists.” They are a self-selected group of people whose science credentials are modest or non-existent and who are led by the man who was big tobacco’s leading apologist.
On the whole, the Colbert video is wonderfully funny , and Lutz deserves some credit for having the nerve to go on air and make fun of his own electric (concept) car, the Chevy Volt. But it’s chilling to hear him toss in this big lie (the Oregon petition to which he refers doesn’t even mention sunspots). It’s this kind of casual dishonesty that keeps the public confused about this issue.
Lutz says at the beginning of the segment that he wishes he were controlling the world economy – that he thinks he could be doing a better job. Right. I mean look at what a wonderful job he and his buddies are doing with the GM economy.
