Cornwall Alliance Senior Fellow and Contributing Writer Gregory Wrightstone, author of Inconvenient Facts: The science that Al Gore doesn’t want you to know, debated climate change at Cornell University November 13. The event was lively and respectful, with encouraging outcomes. Here is Greg’s report:
On November 13, I had a unique opportunity to debate Dr. Charles Greene, Professor of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences and a Fellow at the David R. Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future at Cornell University. Professor Greene holds radically extreme views on future warming and its effects.
The landing page of his website states “if a scientist is still skeptical about the reality of climate change, then there is a good chance that he or she is ideologically blinded, delusional, or in the pocket of some special interest group.”
The debate was held during Dr. Sam Nelson’s argumentation and debate class with approximately 180 students and guests in attendance. There were no protests or disruptions and I was allowed to speak freely.
It was hard to dispute the voluminous amount of misinformation provided by the “consensus” speakers, but we had a vigorous back-and-forth. Professor Greene opened his 10 minute intro by holding up my book Inconvenient Facts and stating that the “inconvenient facts” ID’d were actually mostly correct, but that I had misinterpreted what they meant.
Bottom line: Professor Nelson held a vote after the debate and we estimated that as many as 30% of the students voted in favor of my interpretation of our changing climate and its effects. That was quite a bit more than we had expected since we had done this in the “belly of the beast.”
Afterward, I provided free books to any students desiring one, on the condition that they would actually read it. We distributed 82 books and I got a very warm reception from all who I spoke with, including those that disagreed with me. All in all, it was a very good night. I remain optimistic that we are turning a corner in this debate and that truth will prevail.
Many thanks to Cornell alum Steve Einhorn who made this debate possible and purchased copies of Inconvenient Facts to give to the students.
Andrew F says
Was the debate recorded? That is, available on YT or the like?
E. Calvin Beisner says
It was not recorded, sad to say.
Clara says
Too bad it was not recorded—even a simple, short video recording of the audience at the end would reveal that not even a mere 10% of the students voted in favor of Mr. Wrightstone’s views. Greg’s report of this straightforward debate seems sadly reflective of his, indeed, “misinterpretation” of very real facts, however much “inconvenient” they may be (to himself).
S. Robbins says
At this point most of these students aren’t willing to do their own research. Obviously they must be afraid of what they might find. It’s sad that they only fact they know for sure is that you must follow the others, the indoctrinated Sheeple. Al Gore’s claims in his own book proves that these students either don’t want the truth or like being preached a doomsday message of garbage. No factual evidence. In fact if Al was correct my house would be underwater right now with no shoreline…..If you strive to be as ignorant as AOC then you’re on the right path. Keep letting the older people like Joe Biden, Pelosi , Obama & the other elected leaders tell you what you should know. This is the first generation who look at a senile old man & Activist’s who could care less about this country. The Youth used to look within themselves & make the change in the world themselves but these students can’t or won’t do that. They only know the threat of “you better follow us or you’re cancelled” That’s how they all stay in line like good Sheeple.
Anna Gorman says
Wrightstone was an interesting speaker and I was glad to have the opportunity to listen to a conservative at Cornell. I think many students were excited to hear someone who disagrees with the vast majority of scientists (97% as of 2019). However, I like to debunk some information that was twisted by Wrightstone in the article about.
The class voted twice on if they were persuaded by Wrightstone. The first vote the only people raising their hands were his friends and family. There was not “30% of the students [that] voted in favor”. The second vote was held this week during class and not a single student rose their hand in favor of Wrightstone.
Gregory Wrightstone says
The comment that the only people voting in the 1st vote were friends and family is factually incorrect. I had one family member attending and less than a handful of friends out of maybe 180 attendees. Apparently, Anna did not see the large number of students voting in the affirmative in the 1st vote. We were shocked at the number, as I had expected that only a handful would vote for our side.
More supportive were the large number of students who told me they disagreed with me but were more open to my argument than before the debate.
Gregory Wrightstone says
I just got this email from a former geologic intern:
“My sister’s friend was in the audience and got the free book. I think you persuaded her to your interpretation!” Justin S.
Peter Grant says
Thank you for your book which I read with great interest and was reinforced in my view about the distortions of the climate alarmists.
I passed it on to a friend who responded with Willard McDonald´s rebuttal of your methods and conclusions. Do you have a response to his comments that I can use.
Peter G.
Megan (Toombs) Kinard says
Peter,
I have passed your question on to Gregory Wrightstone. He should be responding shortly.
Megan Kinard
S. Alden says
Thank you so much. My parents have always told me to look at both sides and do my own research. I can honestly say. I don’t raise my hand or really answer surveys or leave comments. I’m just a listener who comes in with an open mind. I have several students who are my good friends and we all agree. These are educated guesses -estimated Based on the best information out there. Models that present a theory that very well could be wrong or right. Al Gore’s book is a perfect example of how wrong you can be. As a former VP he probably had the best resources available to him but he was very wrong. I’m glad there are scientists like you who don’t base their science on what political party they belong too. I’m glad I was able to attend, it definitely changed my thought process.