The View from the Fence - Best and Worst From Both Sides
Taking up a precarious perch on the fence between the two sides of the debate, I have decided to select the best and worse from each side in regards to the science, mitigation and lifestyle ideas.
First though I want to just make a quick assessment of the landscape and the ‘climate’ of climate change discussions. I think there is much more common ground than one might take away at first blush, and these commonalities are lost in the din raised by the conflict of ideologies of how to address the problems.
First on the science, this is the most contested piece of the puzzle with the highest levels of disagreement, the proverbial keystone of the issue. I believe everyone would agree with the following statements; there has been an upward trend in global surface temperature over the last 100 years, humans like all living things impact their environment simply by existing in it and that much more research needs to be done in all the scientific disciplines to better understand how the entire ecosystem’s inter-dependencies react to changes.
On the subject of mitigation it is harder to find middle ground, but I think that a basic shared ideal is that we need to ensure that any policies adopted do not impact the most vulnerable citizens of the planet, and that they should encompass a wide array of solutions.
Finally, in the lifestyle arena I think both sides agree that resource management from water to oil and gas needs to be addressed since these resources are not infinite in supply, and this can be a bottom up approach in the arena of consumption. These lifestyle changes should not reduce the standard of living or the modern conveniences that we enjoy.
So with that said and without any fanfare, I present the Best and the Worst!
The absolute BEST IN all categories is … Higher fuel efficiency standards!
The absolute WORST IN all categories is … Bio-fuels from Food Crops!
Agree or Disagree? Let me Know!
I ask you to debate my selections here and make a case for your own selections as to what should have made the list.



I would add that the worst in general is the mistrust between believers and deniers which so often reduces important items of debate to irrelevant trivialities. However, much of this has been brought on by bogus claims from various parties which has eroded much credibility.
Apart from that I think pretty much all of the worst is the worst!
See also: http://www.talkclimatechange.com/2007/12/17/climate-change-who-is-right-and-we-are-wrong/ and http://www.talkclimatechange.com/2007/12/21/climate-extremists-%e2%80%93-please-keep-it-real/