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Lutz remains a Putz on Global Warming denial

September 17th, 2008 · 8 Comments

Stephen Colbert pushed GM’s Bob Lutz on his Global Warming denial views. And, he reasserted his rejection of that “CO2 theory”, citing thousands of scientists as well.

Colbert: Why not just call this the Chevy-Gore?  You don’t believe in Global Warming, do you? You’ve said that you don’t.

Lutz: I accept that the planet has heated. 

But, like many noted scientists, I don’t believe in the CO2 theory.

GM engineers, scientists, and others who believe in the scientific method and working within reality must wince every time he speaks about Global Warming.

Colbert: It’s just sunspot activity.

Lutz: In the opinion of about 32,000 of the world’s leading scientists

Lutz is simply a global warming denier, seizing on truthiness and propaganda to fit his weltaunschuang rather than dealing with facts and giving some respect to actual science.  Let us be clear:  1:  Solar radiation is NOT a driver of Global Warming, the numbers just don’t work.   2.  The “32,000” is absurdity (to be polite, with the (vast) majority of signers only having bachelor’s degrees and no advanced studies. (On the “petition” that Lutz is referring to, see: here, here, here, etc …

To be honest, other than the GW denial, Putz held up well against the Colbert pressure and got in some good zingers.  But, he really sold the car short.  When Colbert was asking him whether the Volt would help him “get laid”, Lutz said that it would probably change the nature of the women, to ‘nicer, without makeup, environmental types …’ And, o

And, he clearly understood that his Global Warming denialism wasn’t the best thing for him to talk about when he was on The Colbert Report to talk about the Chevy Volt which has had recent big news.

However, we have to get off this subject …

Yeah, Bob, reminding people that Lutz is such a Putz perhaps isn’t the best thing for GM’s image and marketing … of a car designed to appeal to people concerned about global warming, peak oil, and a better future for America.

UPDATE: The Green Miles has the video with a recommendation for Bob Lutz:

Note to Bob for future reference – if you’re going to greenwash, it’s best not to come right out and deny the scientific consensus on global warming with a made-up number of people who believe in a kooky denial scheme. Kind of undercuts your alleged green credentials.

Tags: global warming deniers

8 responses so far ↓

  • 1 General Motors Executive Doesn’t Recognize Global Warming as Fact — He Should Be Fired - The Seminal :: Independent Media and Politics // Sep 18, 2008 at 12:35 pm

    […] Adam Siegel debunks Lutz’ bullshit: Lutz is simply a global warming denier, seizing on truthiness and propaganda to fit his weltaunschuang rather than dealing with facts and giving some respect to actual science.  Let us be clear:  1:  Solar radiation is NOT a driver of Global Warming, the numbers just don’t work.   2.  The “32,000? is absurdity (to be polite, with the (vast) majority of signers only having bachelor’s degrees and no advanced studies. (On the “petition” that Lutz is referring to, see: here, here, here, etc … […]

  • 2 James // Sep 18, 2008 at 2:14 pm

    He is on the Colbert Report….satire and humor is good for the soul people.

  • 3 Wonk Room » Revolting: GM Executive Bob Lutz Denies Global Warming, Trashes His Company’s Car // Sep 18, 2008 at 2:33 pm

    […] his company. Lutz, unfortunately for this aging industrial giant, is a Luddite, supporting the most extreme crackpot denials of the science of climate change and attacking the Volt — GM’s next-generation hybrid […]

  • 4 A Siegel // Sep 18, 2008 at 2:47 pm

    James,

    I think that satire and humor is good. And, I think that Lutz was humorous on a number of occasions (such as talking about choosing not to have a 40-mile extension cord because people kept running over it).

    But, even though he showed himself troubled by getting into the conversation, Lutz’ position on Global Warming was not satire — it is his stated belief and that belief structure is an insult to science and the scientific method. Either he should not speak about this at all or else he should actually learn something about the subject … he owes GM shareholders that much. Every time he says something denying Global Warming denial, it causes outrage and bad press for GM … note this blog post.

  • 5 James // Sep 18, 2008 at 6:47 pm

    A Siegel:

    So, a 70 year old military guy with his background claims Global Warming doesn’t exist?

    Somehow I am less than overwhelmed. I am almost more outraged at the fact people are outraged. Its not a religion, people can believe what they want to believe. It isn’t impacting his company, by the time the Volt comes out they should also have the first mass produced plug in parallel hybrid as well the Plug In VUE, as well as other EREV vehicles in the works and most of the fleet having a mild hybrid option and then folks will have to concede that GM is advancing farther on the Oil front than almost all manufacturers (I left out the fleet retrofits they are curently starting for CNG)

    Laugh people, laugh and accept other people for their quirks for crying out loud. *shakes head* outrage for something said on a comedy program

  • 6 GM’s Committment to Climate Change Remains Tepid - The Seminal :: Independent Media and Politics // Sep 22, 2008 at 12:04 pm

    […] environmentally responsible, this is not acceptable. I am not the only one who feels this way, see this, this, and […]

  • 7 Global Warming Denier Bob Lutz Continues Making General Motors Look Ridiculous - The Seminal :: Independent Media and Politics // Oct 6, 2008 at 8:08 am

    […] is clear that, as A. Siegel likes to say, Lutz is still a Putz. He still thinks global warming is a crock of shit. He is now just staying quiet about it to avoid […]

  • 8 Climate Progress » Blog Archive » GM’s Lutz is nuts. His PR guy ain’t much sharper. // Apr 3, 2009 at 3:07 pm

    […] and Sun Worshiper“). As for the 32,000 scientists nonsense, see A. Siegel’s “Lutz remains a Putz on Global Warming denial“). Lutz should be kept far, far away from any executive decisions at a major technology-based […]