Pat's Sees the Light

More specifically, Pat feels the heat.

Think Progress reports that Pat Robertson, who I have been quite hard on in the past, has 'endorsed' global warming.

Yesterday on the 700 Club, evangelical Pat Robertson declared himself "a convert"” on global warming. Robertson said that he has "“not been one who believed in global warming in the past."” But now, Robertson said, he believes "it is getting hotter and the ice caps are melting and there is a build up of carbon dioxide in the air."” Robertson implored, "we really need to do something on fossil fuels."

Shocking video here. Do not watch while drinking coffee.

I'm a bit conflicted about Pat's conversion. On one hand, if Pat can push some people towards expecting government (and private industry) to do something about fossil fuel use/conservation, we're a step ahead. Largely, the people Pat would be reaching weren't exactly 'on board' with the sustainability movement.

On the other hand, Pat has managed to take a scientific fact and discuss it in purely religious terms. He's a 'convert' to global warming. He 'believes' that it's getting warmer. This sort of language doesn't advance a pro-science agenda. It only feeds into the false fundie-spouted meme 'science is a religion.'

If Pat can claim 'belief' in Global Warming, it's just as easy for someone to claim they don't 'believe.' Belief is a personal decision, not rooted in fact or evidence.

Maybe I'm worried about the little things while I should be happy that at least one Fundie has come around on something important. I just can't help feeling this is going to bite us in the ass.

Pat Robertson Global Warming Science Religion