- Hedge Funds Take Early Lead in Warren Buffett's 'Big Bet'
- S&P Stocks Trading at New 52-Week Highs
- 4 Food Stocks to Stuff in Your Portfolio: Analyst
- S&P at 1050-1200 Trading Range Next Year: Strategist
- Treasury On Mortgage Modifications
- Blue Jeans Expected to See Another Green Christmas
- Investors Thankful for Gains This Year
- Thanksgiving & the Markets
- Art Cashin: Caution 'Growing' in Financials, Dividend Moves
- New-Home Sales Jump to Highest Level in Over Year
- Consumer Mood Improves, but Anxiety Over Finances
- Claims Level Suggests End to Job Losses
- Airlines Hit With Penalties for Stranding Passengers
- Jobless Claims Below 500,000, Durable Orders Slip
- US Said It Will Reduce Emissions by 17% by 2020
- Garlic Price Rises Surpass Gold, Stocks in China
- Judge Erases Couple's $525,000 Mortgage Payment
- Black Friday: Can Banks Tap the Frenzy, Too?
MOST SHARED
- Ritz-Carlton ?Struggling? in the US: President
- Garlic Price Rises Surpass Gold, Stocks in China
- Half of Banks' Losses May Still Be Hidden: IMF Head
- New-Home Sales Jump 6.2% To Highest Level in Over Year
- Oil Price to Average $75.40 in 2010: Poll
- Jobless Claims Below 500,000, Durable Orders Slip
- Americans Ditch Planes for Trains this Thanksgiving
- The 'Real' Jobless Rate: 17.5% Of Workers Are Unemployed
- Consumer Mood Improves, But Anxiety Over Personal Finances
Text Size 
 |
Jeff Christensen / AP Musician Sheryl Crow. |
During the Tuesday morning interview, Kernen cited scientific findings from a U.K. documentary, “The Great Global Warming Swindle,” to challenge Crow and David’s view that climate change is caused by humans. The segment generated a surprisingly enormous response from viewers.
“Are we sure it has nothing to do with cosmic rays or sun spot activity or volcanoes?” Kernen said. “The footprint of humans for CO2 is apparently fairly small compared to volcanoes.”
“The globe is warming. Humans are causing it,” David said. “The world has complete consensus on this. I would question who funded the documentary and what their agenda is…. The debate is over.”
About 80% of viewer responses sided with Kernen, many referencing the indignation that Crow and David expressed at having to answer questions about the global warming debate.
“I went to great lengths, I thought, to try to be really fair,” Kernen said.
Even Sheryl Crow expressed anger in her blog. Here are some snippets (misspellings are hers):
"After a short night’s sleep on the bus, Laurie and I got up early to do CNBC. We were interviewed live, via earpiece, by a militant sceptic who’s sole objective seemed to be to disprove us and the theory of global warming at every turn.
Now, I’m not exactly sure what planet this guy is living on (or what planet he thinks he’s living on, perhaps one that is not suffering the extreme weather patterns that planet earth is experiencing) but to argue that global warming does not exist and that the IPCC reports are a political maneuver, is irresponsible and overtly unethical…and at 7:30 in the morning, just plain irritating.
I have to wonder if Joe Kernan argued on the side of the Tobacco Industry and did he ever agree that smoking does cause cancer. Or does he feel like that was a political issue, as well."
Here’s a sample of viewer emails sent to CNBC:
From: Steve In Minneapolis
Joe,
Great interview with Cheryl Crow and the other woman with regard to global warming. You pinned them to the wall with your very good and intelligent questions ... and all they could come back with was "the issue is settled and the opinions unanimous." Your questions showed the whole issue is NOT settled, and respected scientists do not agree with their (Crow & David's) view of global warming.
===================================
From: Rich In Shorewood, IL
Joe,
As a scientist, I hereby declare the global warming fervor to be a hoax and also declare that I am among the real consensus that opposes the Gore consensus group. I have a B.S. and an M.S. in physics which is probably more than many of the members of the so-called consensus can claim.
===================================
From: Mark In CT
Joe:
Great interview with Crow and David! This is the first interview I can recall on a "mainstream" broadcast where the host challenged the headline reading, talking point, alarmist, the sky is falling, know-nothing celebrities who feel as though they are the savior of the un-washed masses that are too stupid to decide for themselves the validity of complex scientific findings.
===================================
From: Alex In CT
Joe Kernen,
I wanted to thank you and CNBC ... for finally shining some light on the hysteria of the "global warming moonies" who have become fixated on blaming human beings for everything, and now the imminent demise on our planet.
===================================
From: John
I have become very concerned about the emergence of this new "religion" about the evils of global warming caused allegedly by increased CO2 levels in the atmosphere. This "religion" is complete with a high priest, Al Gore, singing nuns such as Cheryl Crow, and a board of deacons, the UN Science Council.
===================================
From: Brad
Nicely done! It's about time that the self righteous acolytes of the global warming faith get some fact-based questions. It is amazing and informative to see how little these 2 zealots actually know about the facts of the mater that they are so fervently purveying to our impressionable youth.
===================================
From: Blake In Tulsa
Fantastic interview by Joe Kernen on global warming. The arrogance of the global warming crowd is shocking and scary. Joe Kernen did one of the best interviews I've seen on CNBC.
===================================
From: Lin In Chicago
This is the first time (in years of watching) that I have heard Joe sound both arrogant and ignorant.
===================================
From: Joe H.
The only people who don't acknowledge global warming are old rich white men and their stooges they have "talking their book." Admitting global warming would threaten their way of life.
===================================
From: Pat
Joe -
You're such an obvious hired gun against the best interest of the human race. Enjoy the money a----hole.
- Here's how key provisions of the health care reform bill would impact your insurance and how you'll pay for it.
- Playboy will outsource its publishing operations in a bid to become profitable again.
- Remember when auto shows were major events where new models could generate buzz?
- After nine years the NBA’s minor league equivalent is finally coming into its own.
- Bill Griffeth is taking a leave of absence from CNBC and Power Lunch for a year. Here's a message from Bill.
- For nearly three decades, these on-call experts have been dishing advice on how to – and not to – cook turkey.
Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes