Wow, only one day after I publish and distribute my open letter to Al Gore, I get a response!  :)  Click here for Gore's exclusive interview with CNN.  

I try to read news from all sources to maintain a fair and balanced (no pun intended) view of life.  After reading about "scandal", "corruption" and "conspiracy" - most of it coming from conservative bloggers - I have to admit even I had my doubts. At first blush, the two scientists' stolen emails (some up to ten years old, and all taken out of context) appear to compromise the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report, which states that the "warming of the climate system is unequivocal" and "most of the observed increase in global average temperatures since the mid-20th century is very likely due to the observed increase in anthropogenic greenhouse gas concentrations."

However, after reading scores of scientists' articles and a letter from the IPCC chairman, I have renewed confidence in my long held belief (that's right, I said belief as I cannot prove it) that humans are, in fact, contributing to climate change with our activities. Of course, we might expect Al Gore and the IPCC Working Group to stand behind their findings.  But Exxon, Chevron, Shell and BP?  Yes, all support the findings of the IPCC scientists, as stated clearly on the dedicated climate change pages on their websites. 

I commend the climate change deniers on running a first rate PR campaign, which is successfully shaking people's confidence about the soundness of the data.  Nevertheless, the bulk of the data is accurate and supports the IPCC report's findings.  But please don't take my word for it - go figure it out for yourself.  While it's not fun reading the other side, you may enjoy challenging your own predisposed beliefs from time to time.  I know I have.

There are still people who take issue with the IPCC's findings. Half of them are deniers and the other half say that climate change is even worse than the IPCC lets on. That said, I still don't know what the solution is.  Adaptation, mitigation, cap and trade???  I also know that taking action can hinder our economy and put some developing countries at a disadvantage.  There is no perfect solution here.  So glad I don't have to make policy.  For my part, I'm just going to keep doing what I can to live right by the planet. It may not be enough to save the world, but it does help me sleep better at night.