Heavner: Do research before believing info about greenhouse gases

I am hoping to add some context for anyone left scratching their head after reading Dr. David R. Legates’ recent Opinion (“Consequences to banning greenhouse gases”). Dr. Legates is a semi-famous academic, who has made a career for himself by specializing in climate change denial. His “research” is funded by Koch Industries, the American Petroleum Institute and Exxon Mobil, to name a few, so I can’t imagine any problems with his conclusion that greenhouse gas emissions are actually good for the planet. He is currently affiliated with The Heartland Group, a think tank that, among other things, questions the link between tobacco smoking and cancer, advocates for the privatization of effectively every government service and, in 2012, put up billboards of the “Unabomber” all over Chicago. Great company you’re in there, Dave!

I hope this helps provide context for Legates’ ludicrous claims, and I encourage everyone to think of the source before blindly buying into the garbage Legates is selling.

But, for anyone still not convinced, go ahead and test his claims about vehicle carbon dioxide emissions being “plant food” for yourself. Get yourself some marigolds, put them in your garage and leave them in there with your car running for a few days. Just make sure you put on a gas mask before you go in to check on them! I’m sure you’ll have the garden of the year by following Dr. Legates’ advice.

Jack Heavner

Dover

Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.