A great quote from P. Z. Myers

[Towlie]

On his blog, P.Z. Myers mentions a recent South Dakota resolution:

"Carbon dioxide is not a pollutant," the resolution said, "but rather a highly beneficial ingredient for all plant life."

Then he points out that another word could be substituted for "carbon dioxide" with equal validity. See if you can guess the word, then go here (http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2010/03/reality_rejection_syndrome.php) to check your answer.

[Skeptic Guy]

Heh, I was right!

[The Fallen Serpent]

I brought up a similar point in response to a video I saw that claimed CO2 is not a pollutant. A substance being a pollutant really depends on the context. Arguing if CO2 is a pollutant is a distraction from a evidenciary debate about if CO2 alter the Earth's climate.

[technoextreme]

I brought up a similar point in response to a video I saw that claimed CO2 is not a pollutant. A substance being a pollutant really depends on the context. Arguing if CO2 is a pollutant is a distraction from a evidenciary debate about if CO2 alter the Earth's climate.
Just bring up Ozone. Also, I was close.:) I thought of garbage.

[Ziggurat]

Arguing if CO2 is a pollutant is a distraction from a evidenciary debate about if CO2 alter the Earth's climate.

Yes, but the problem is that existing laws allow regulation of pollutants, not green house gasses. So whether or not CO2 is a pollutant isn't simply an issue of what its true effect on climate is, but is rather about what regulators can do, right now, to control it. If it's a pollutant, they may be able to do something. If not, new laws would be needed. Whether or not one wants government to force a reduction in CO2 emissions is highly correlated with opinions about climate change, and so "pollutant" or "not a pollutant" can be seen as a proxy for opinions about climate change. But logically speaking, they're actually different issues.

[The Fallen Serpent]

Fair enough Ziggurat. I suppose what I was trying to say is the scientific debate should not follow the law debate, but that the law debate should follow the scientific debate.

[daenku32]

I was thinking ammonia, but PZ's is funnier.

[Wowbagger]

Anything can become a pollutant, no matter how beneficial you think it is, if there is too much of it in one spot.

[bokonon]

Is it boron sulfide?