Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In Edmonton on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, Friends of Science Society was invited to participate in a debate on global warming by "Canwetalk.net," an organization led by David Yakki, which is working to restore open, civil debate on contentious issues in society. Yakki had purposely framed the debate in a polarizing way: "Is global warming....The most serious human-created problem in history – needs urgent action now! or A scary story from manipulative mainstream media believed by gullible people!" He invited Ruiping Luo of Alberta Wilderness Association (AWA) to present their view. Essentially, AWA sees climate change as a human-caused risk needing urgent action. He had also invited Friends of Science Society's Michelle Stirling to present a counter-narrative. Friends of Science Society sees climate change/global warming as being driven by both human and natural forcings, but it is not an emergency; in fact, there are many benefits of carbon dioxide (CO2) fertilization and warming which are rarely discussed. Likewise, there are many undue influences on the public debate, some of which are presented in this video. Friends of Science Society's presentation noted that Canada is committed to spending $476 BILLION on climate action between 2020 and 2030 for a possible reduction in warming in Canada of 0.007 degrees Celsius by 2100 (seven thousandths of a degree Celsius). China's emissions would outdistance those reductions in short order; yet Canada's economy is being crippled by climate action costs, trying to meet Net Zero for dubious 'benefits.' There was a civil, respectful exchange of views and a lot of good questions in the Q&A. Kudos to David Yakki for this conversation starter! For more detailed scientific information, see Friends of Science Society's "Climate Science Essay" friendsofscience.org/pages/essay.html
We may upload a video of Ms. Luo's presentation if appropriate permissions are obtained.
In Edmonton on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, Friends of Science Society was invited to participate in a debate on global warming by "Canwetalk.net," an organization led by David Yakki, which is working to restore open, civil debate on contentious issues in society. Yakki had purposely framed the debate in a polarizing way: "Is global warming....The most serious human-created problem in history – needs urgent action now! or A scary story from manipulative mainstream media believed by gullible people!" He invited Ruiping Luo of Alberta Wilderness Association (AWA) to present their view. Essentially, AWA sees climate change as a human-caused risk needing urgent action. He had also invited Friends of Science Society's Michelle Stirling to present a counter-narrative. Friends of Science Society sees climate change/global warming as being driven by both human and natural forcings, but it is not an emergency; in fact, there are many benefits of carbon dioxide (CO2) fertilization and warming which are rarely discussed. Likewise, there are many undue influences on the public debate, some of which are presented in this video. Friends of Science Society's presentation noted that Canada is committed to spending $476 BILLION on climate action between 2020 and 2030 for a possible reduction in warming in Canada of 0.007 degrees Celsius by 2100 (seven thousandths of a degree Celsius). China's emissions would outdistance those reductions in short order; yet Canada's economy is being crippled by climate action costs, trying to meet Net Zero for dubious 'benefits.' There was a civil, respectful exchange of views and a lot of good questions in the Q&A. Kudos to David Yakki for this conversation starter! For more detailed scientific information, see Friends of Science Society's "Climate Science Essay" friendsofscience.org/pages/essay.html
We may upload a video of Ms. Luo's presentation if appropriate permissions are obtained.
