Environment

Prof. Calls Climate Change Denial ‘Self-Inflicted Genocide,’ Compares to Denying Holocaust

Brooklyn College Professor Compares Skeptics of Man Made Climate Change to Holocaust Deniers

This book by Richard Harwood is an example that involved denial of some aspects of the Holocaust. It was later found to misrepresented and misquoted people and evidence on the events. (Image: Wikimedia)

A physics professor from Brooklyn College, a senior college of the City University of New York, has begun to spur debate for a series of blog posts where he compares denial of man-made climate change to genocide like that of the Holocaust.

Micha Tomkiewicz wrote his first post about the topic on his new blog Climate Change Fork on April 22 — Earth Day — stating that denial of global warming is similar to that of early denial of the Holocaust. Early in this post, he raises the question if the two can even be compared — something others have criticized him for since. As the author of a recently published book on climate change and a Holocaust survivor himself, Tomkiewicz would say yes.

Tomkiewicz goes on to define genocide, cite how deniers of the Holocaust were obviously “dead wrong,” and references the International Panel for Climate Change and scientists who say that with man-made global warming “we may be creating our next genocide ourselves.”

On May 7, Tomkiewicz followed up this blog post with “proof.” In it he shows an image of two aerial photographs of the concentration camp where he spent two years. He explains the image is a superimposition showing the two camps then and now “to try to convince the skeptics that the camp was in the same place.”

“The aerial photographs are there to ‘prove’ that all of this is real,” he wrote.

Here’s how he links this to climate change denialism:

[...]  climate change deniers like to say that using scientific “theories” to explain climate change is not really “proof.” We use scientific theories all the time to explain phenomena that we know exist but can’t readily “see” —  like gravity, for example. We know gravity exists because we can feel its effects; we can also see climate change’s effects, but the deniers continue to insist it isn’t really proof.

Most recently in response to criticism for “dragging” the Holocaust into the climate change debate and “cheapening” it in the process, Tomkiewicz writes in his defense that he is using the concept to make a point:

I make my “climate change denier” claim for one reason. It’s easy today to teach students to condemn the Holocaust, but it’s much more difficult to teach them how to try to prevent future genocides. There are different kinds of genocides and they don’t repeat themselves; they come to us in different ways. I am not suggesting that the Holocaust is just like climate change. But what I am suggesting is that even though it’s hard to see a genocide – any genocide – coming. The future is hard to predict, but we can see this one coming. This genocide is of our own making, and it will effect everyone, not just one group or country.

He goes on to write that in dragging this historical genocide into the debate, he hopes that climate change can be taught in the educational system with a purpose similar to that like the Holocaust. He poses the question: Why do we study the Holocaust? And answers it citing a U.N. resolution: “to prevent future acts of genocide.” Tomkiewicz writes that teaching the history of the Holocaust involves study of past events as well as analysis of “future situations that might to genocides – man-on-man and self-inflicted – through destruction of the physical environment.”

He ends writing that he has chosen the blogosphere as a medium to help bring awareness for the “prevention of future genocides through analysis of situations that might lead to one.”

CUNY’s Campus Reform has asked the Brooklyn College public relations office for its thoughts on Tomkiewicz’s posts. Campus Reform received a response stating the office needed “to ascertain a few things before giving you a concise answer regarding this matter.”

What are your thoughts? Was it appropriate for Tomkiewicz to compare denial of the Holocaust to denial of man-made global climate change? Is it effective at making his point?

[H/T: Oliver Darcy, Campus Reform]

Comments (127)

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  • bubbamax
    Posted on May 17, 2012 at 10:18am

    another idiot identifies himself to us, who is next, step up to the microphone, this is the easiest way to sort them out short of asking who are Ron Paul supporters.

    Report Post »  
    • lovenfl3
      Posted on May 17, 2012 at 11:04am

      This is pretty disgusting that a man who lived through the Holocaust would even make such a comparison. Here’s the problem with your theory Mikey…..first it was global warming, then it was global cooling, then it was global warming again. Now it’s climate change, because that covers all variation in weather. I wonder if he can explain the ice age then. Or was that the dinosaur fart theory. I get lost on all this craziness. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0t5bgM61ULc

      lovenfl3  
    • ChiefGeorge
      Posted on May 17, 2012 at 12:02pm

      Well we surely do not need this guy speeding things along through inacting a real genocide to avoid a natural one.

      Report Post » ChiefGeorge  
    • johnjamison
      Posted on May 17, 2012 at 1:01pm

      aNOTHER dUMBA55 who has no clue. Everyone knows the climate changes fact is it’s gone through extreme ice ages and tropical ages through-out existance.Just serval hundred years ago it was so warm that they were growing grapes and making wine in northern england. And Greenland was slush with vegitation not the sheet of ice that currently sits on it. The point being debated is that man is causing a climate change. And to that point this guy is just another dumba55 koll aid drinker or opportunist hoping to make bank on climate legislation. He’s all mouth NO FACTS.

      Report Post »  
    • atechgeek
      Posted on May 17, 2012 at 1:47pm

      How can a physics professor, who I would assume is intelligent in the sciences in general, come to the conclusion that global warming is man made ? In the studies of Astro Physics, there are so many external forces at play in our climate. The Sun, the moon, radiation, effects of stars being born or collapsing millions of light years away millions of years ago, Orbits, etc. To think a bunch of foolish apes on the earth can alter a climate dramatically is simply retarded and arrogant. The earth is self healing. When we are gone, it will demolish our buildings, clean it’s air and water, and a new species will emerge in an entirely new cycle.

      Report Post »  
    • inblack
      Posted on May 17, 2012 at 2:26pm

      These “sky is falling” demagogues will never accept responsibility for the hundreds of thousands of people who have starved to death globally, because we have trashed the economy and diverted trillions for a non-existent catastrophe.

      Report Post »  
  • jakartaman
    Posted on May 17, 2012 at 10:14am

    Of course there is climate change.
    In New England it changes every day.
    Earth’s climate has been changing for eons.
    Earth has been a ball of ICE three times
    Now if anyone thinks that humans can effect or change our climate – they would be a nut.
    In fact there is a new theory out that we have started a cycle into the next mini ice age.
    So – to do my part I bought a brand new gas gussling truck to increase my carbon footprint.
    So folks what are you doing to help in this oncoming crisis?

    Report Post »  
    • spirited
      Posted on May 17, 2012 at 10:35am

      The pet dinosaur down the street is ready to deliver its litter.

      ;*> What a gas!

      Report Post » spirited  
    • michael48
      Posted on May 17, 2012 at 11:35am

      indeed…after 65 yrs on this planet, I have noticed when the sun appears in the morning , it imediately starts “warming” the ground I’m standing on..therefore I’m at fault…dam, sure glad I learned that before it’s to late…next

      Report Post »  
  • I.Gaspar
    Posted on May 17, 2012 at 10:14am

    Must be one of Gore’s boyfriends…In the “real world” this clown would be out of a job quicker than you could say “al gore is a lying conman”. Too bad we live in this progressive nightmare.

    Report Post »  
  • THX-1138
    Posted on May 17, 2012 at 10:13am

    If only the Nazis had been as theoretical as anthropomorphic climate change…

    Report Post » THX-1138  
  • Wigan
    Posted on May 17, 2012 at 10:11am

    This is what is frustrating about arguing the science of AGW with alarmists. Rather than refute by reason or science the points you make, they attack the man making them, and liken you to holocaust deniers. The way you defeat this mindset is to turn it back on them, IE “Since you are certain AGW is real, explain why…”. Here are the things I usually try to get answers on

    1. High levels of C02 in the Phanerozoic era with clear record of ice ages. There are clear glacial periods 300 and 450 million years ago. For the latter, CO2 levels were around 4000ppm, compared to <400ppm. So why was it that when CO2 levels were TEN times higher than today we had an ice age?

    2. Industrialization- post WW2 we had an enormous manufacturing boom and runaway pollution levels, yet from 1940 to 1970 temperature declined and we had fear of ice ages. Why is it when the anthropological contribution was higher to CO2, we saw cooling?

    3. Ice cores- If you write the EPA and ask them why CO2 levels peak 800 years AFTER temperature does, they will not deny this fact. But if you point out that for CO2 to cause temperature rises, ice core data should go the other way, they can not explain it and refer you to partisan IPCC for help.

    4. Their own lousy predictions- they predicted warming for 2000 to 2010, but the actual temperatures in that decade indicated cooling. If their predictions failed so miserably for a single decade in the future, why should we take any of their longer term predict

    Report Post »  
    • GrayPanther
      Posted on May 17, 2012 at 10:35am

      Bravo! Facts are such ugly things! Only the myopic believers, the chicken littles run with the fear factor as presented in their preferred media of the left. Facts like these area little harder to discover since they are not presented in the pro warming material. Good job!

      Report Post » GrayPanther  
    • The Gooch
      Posted on May 17, 2012 at 10:53am

      The argument ad hominem is alive and will. Don’t look for it to vanish as long as we walk the earth in great numbers.

      Report Post »  
    • The Gooch
      Posted on May 17, 2012 at 10:54am

      The argument ad hominem is alive and ‘well’. Don’t look for it to vanish as long as we walk the earth in great numbers.
      Oops…

      Report Post »  
    • Ajohn
      Posted on May 18, 2012 at 8:28am

      Spot on and irrefutable science. Couple this evidence with the discovery and confirmation of cover-ups and contradictions on the AGW side; I wonder how these people can continue to spew this diatribe with straight faces.
      Using gravity as theoretical but accepted for acknowledging CO2 global warming as real, is pure bunk. I think Mr. Newton proved through mathematics that gravity is real; formulae have been used for three centuries with very predictive accuracy.

      Report Post »  
  • lukerw
    Posted on May 17, 2012 at 10:09am

    IDIOT… you could no more fix Climate Change… than prevent a Meteor from hitting the Earth… so stop praying for all the Economies to Fail and people to stop using Energy!

    Report Post » lukerw  
    • TurboCat
      Posted on May 18, 2012 at 4:26am

      Hey Greenies! I’m a Denier! Come and get me, I’m anti-science and a climate denier and I always was. Always thought you goobers were full of B.S. Major climate warming cooling dinosaur-fart denier come and get me. Nyah nyah nyah nyah.

      Report Post »  
  • Tankertony
    Posted on May 17, 2012 at 10:06am

    Any sane person knows that ‘global warming’ is the Greatest Hoax ever perpetrated by mankind on mankind.

    It is the religion of the godless left, making it that much more malicious.

    Report Post » Tankertony  
  • lisa2994
    Posted on May 17, 2012 at 10:05am

    I don’t care what anyone says! GOD has always promised us we would have summer, winter, fall.. Sometimes they are worse than others! And this has been happening since the beginning of time!! It doesn’t have anything to do with global warming! Could we take better care of earth? Yes of course and we should!!!

    Report Post » lisa2994  
    • Athinkerinaseaoflibs
      Posted on May 17, 2012 at 11:01am

      And to back this up, a couple of days ago I was driving home and there was a rainbow off in the distance. I still remember sitting on my grandmother’s lap and listening to her explain how a rainbow is God’s promise to us that the earth would never be flooded again. It made me smile with warm remembrance. God is really is looking out for us. Since my grandmother NEVER lied to me and these “intellectuals” who are perpetrating this hoax have NEVER told the truth–I am going to believe my grandmother. I really think she was more intellectual than the supposed “intellectuals” are any day of the week.
      And for those who disagree with my assessment of my grandmother’s intellect, I will meet you out behind the barn and I will set you straight!

      Report Post »  
  • IndyGuy
    Posted on May 17, 2012 at 9:53am

    Prof. Calls Climate Change Denial ‘Self-Inflicted Genocide,’ Compares to Denying Holocaust while at the same time inflicting genocide upon himself by showing the world just how stupid he is…

    Report Post » IndyGuy  
    • JRook
      Posted on May 17, 2012 at 10:20am

      Some useful reading for the truly enlightened here

      http://www2.journalnow.com/news/2011/oct/31/wsmain01-noted-scientist-skeptic-reverses-position-ar-1555911/

      Its about the data people, not your ideology or bias.

      Report Post »  
    • AvengerK
      Posted on May 17, 2012 at 10:49am

      and unfortunately for you JROOK..there’s stuff like this.
      http://www.wnd.com/2012/04/rebellion-at-nasa-against-global-warming/

      Report Post »  
    • Walkabout
      Posted on May 17, 2012 at 10:51am

      JRook

      We already had the story about the Berkely physics professor funded by Koch Brothers that when form skeptic to believer. It was covered here on the Blaze.

      So what secrete knowledge do you have that we are not privy too?

      Report Post »  
    • Walkabout
      Posted on May 17, 2012 at 10:53am

      JROOK

      & Lovelock’s statement about how he & other climatologists were alarmists does not penetrate your mind set?

      Report Post »  
    • Leader1776
      Posted on May 17, 2012 at 11:10am

      @JROOK
      So, what data are you referring to? And was it obtained using methodology the schlock-matologists said to destroy so the studies could not be duplicated. Was it based on Hansen‘s erroneous formula placing the warmest year in the ’90s instead of the ’30s where it now resides. Why is it now ‘climate change’ not warming, or the ’70s prediction of cooling. This particular scientist, if even worth noting, will need his work independently duplicated before he can be put into the mix …….. regardless of where he started or his funding.

      Lets face it ……… you’re a denier.

      Report Post » Leader1776  
    • MONICNE
      Posted on May 17, 2012 at 11:37am

      ((Walkabout has been drinking heavily – but it’s Tomorrow down under. LOL))

      Just a note to self!

      Report Post » MONICNE  
    • Walkabout
      Posted on May 17, 2012 at 12:04pm

      Too the troll Monicne with love

      ‘Gaia’ scientist James Lovelock: I was ‘alarmist’ about climate change

      http://worldnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/04/23/11144098-gaia-scientist-james-lovelock-i-was-alarmist-about-climate-change?lite

      Report Post »  
    • dblaess
      Posted on May 17, 2012 at 2:21pm

      @JRook
      Posted on May 17, 2012 at 10:20am
      Some useful reading for the truly enlightened here
      ———————————————————————-
      What are you worried about, Al Gore gives us only a little over three years left before the whole shebang goes wrong. The dinosaour had their time, and we have had our time. Having said this, I do not think the world will end on 12/21/12 or any time Al Gore or you say. God created this planet for Man to dominate, but be a good shephard (steward) of. Your extreme is as wrong as someone wanting to take resources but not manage those resources. There is a middle ground where resources can be used to create a civilization that moves forward, or a civilization that movey back as you advocate. George, please let me know what you think.

      Report Post »  
  • Listen_then_think
    Posted on May 17, 2012 at 9:50am

    There is only one cure for stupid and it involves a caliber of some kind. Perfect example of why tenure should be abolished.

    Report Post »  
  • Carlinpa
    Posted on May 17, 2012 at 9:46am

    These Chicken littles are such dram queens…

    Report Post »  
  • Mandors
    Posted on May 17, 2012 at 9:42am

    Ah, yes. The intellectual Titans at Brooklyn College. Hmm. A physicist? Not a climatologist? Great. When if you have surgery, you don’t talk to a podiatrist. Might as well ask your cab driver about climate change.

    Report Post » Mandors  
  • majasdad
    Posted on May 17, 2012 at 9:41am

    He makes an excellent point. I totally agree with him.

    Report Post »  
    • spirited
      Posted on May 17, 2012 at 10:33am

      Tomkiewicz ought to be concerned about MONSANTO; it’s bio-engineered seeds & Roundup.
      Who controls seed, controls food.
      Who controls food, controls the population.
      Who controls the population, controls the world.
      –Who control the world, controls land, water & air.

      The USA no longer produces nor manufactures cotton as in the past.
      –Who is the #1 producer? India; with Monsanto seeds.

      When you drive through the country, besides seeing how quickly/early and high the corn grows –and the multiple ears of corn per stalk–, look at the little signs all along the outskirts of the farms. You’ll see brand names and lot numbers. They are part of Monsanto.

      Why is corn fructose in just about every packaged food???
      –Why has diabetes, cancer and heart desease become epidemic; world-wide?

      The FDA & the EPA go hand in hand: money; people & land.

      >L@@K it up. (food & the atomic bomb)

      Report Post » spirited  
    • The Gooch
      Posted on May 17, 2012 at 11:00am

      Then you clearly do not know the definition of the term genocide and do not acknowledge that a disturbing number of man-caused climate change zealots argue that genocide is the only answer to the coming apocalypse. Oh, and you also apparently find ad hominem attacks useful in ‘scientific’ debate.
      Hey, celebrate your religion as you will. Just don’t try to force it on others.

      Report Post »  
    • majasdad
      Posted on May 17, 2012 at 6:21pm

      @THE GOOCH
      Hey man, are you high on something, or what? I can’t make sense of your reply to my comment. Are you sure you didn’t press the wrong reply button?

      I knew there were quite a few oddballs on this site, but you take the cake.

      Report Post »  
    • The Gooch
      Posted on May 18, 2012 at 8:25am

      Oh, isn’t that cute? Instead of bothering to engage in debate and counter my claims, you continue the same damn dog and pony show. “Hey, man, you’re just crazy. Far out and such.”
      Ya know, I’m gonna do you a favor. If you like the prof, you’re gonna LOVE this guy:
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuJwQyZ2pHk
      Enjoy. Calling people stupid, stoned or irrelevant (telling how eco-zealots so easily assert as much) is much easier than standing toe to toe and actually trying to defend misanthropy. Thanks for confirming what is well-established about the intolerant and emotional extremists of the “green” movement.

      Report Post »  
    • The Gooch
      Posted on May 18, 2012 at 9:22am

      And where (or what) is the prof’s solution? Are we to infer that if man-caused global warming isn’t acknowledged and addressed, then genocide is the only recourse left? Wow. So we’re to assume that unless this new age religion is foisted upon the masses and its prophets allowed to lead, at some point, mankind must pay in blood… by its own hands. There is no distinction, no context, no explanation… just the use of a term that indicates some human entity (not the elements, not the gloom and doom of shifting weather patterns, disruption of growing cycles, drought, etc.) will entact mass murder because of the prof’s (and like-minded souls) belief in man-caused climate change and his (and others’) consternation that some folks will remain holdouts that force such action. You can spin this in whatever manner suits your fancy, but there are numerous, vociferous eco-zealots who assert the only way to save the planet is with a culling of humanity. This guy does not advance any meaningful discourse… he only flirts with the idea that unless all fall in line lockstep, genocide can be the only answer (and that‘s assuming the term genocide still means what it did prior to this man’s article being posted in April).
      CONVERT OR DIE. Hmm… I’ve heard that before…. Yeah, I’m the crazy one.

      Report Post »  
    • majasdad
      Posted on May 19, 2012 at 12:02pm

      @@THE GOOCH
      Sorry man, in my book you disqualified yourself from any legitimate discussion concerning global warming when you brought up the coming apocalypse. That’s crazy talk and I have no interest in discussing anything least of all a scientific issue with a person who bases their outlook on life on a fairy tale. Thanks but no thanks.

      Report Post »  
    • The Gooch
      Posted on May 19, 2012 at 12:14pm

      I admire squirreliness, but let’s follow the bouncing ball:
      You initially posted: “He makes an excellent point. I totally agree with him.”
      This was in response to a man who wrote: “The future is hard to predict, but we can see this one coming. This genocide is of our own making, and it will effect everyone, not just one group or country.”

      Um… do you see a problem with then dismissing someone who challenges this article and asks for further clarification by smugly (and foolishly) posting your most recent response. I’m not the gloom and doomer here. I honestly believe you are confused… or in an altered state.
      Hell, if I’m to be ignored, then the prof is be dismissed also. Your, um, attempt to dismiss and deflect seem a little less than slick, but brought a good laugh. Shine on, you crazy diamond. Thanks for reaffirming why many an eco-zealot can’t be taken seriously. It’s like trying to nail Jell-O to a wall.

      Report Post »  
  • Baja
    Posted on May 17, 2012 at 9:40am

    Brooklyn College? Never heard of it. Is it a four year school?
    Tomkiewicz certainly has the credibility to discuss genocide since he and his commie democrat puselatemous friends have championed over 50 million abortions in this country since the early 70′s.
    Way to go genius.

    Report Post » Baja  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on May 17, 2012 at 9:40am

    Another example of the true madness of the leftists and progressives. Madness across the board.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • joshuawoodz
    Posted on May 17, 2012 at 9:35am

    I live on the coast and have all my life. I’m still waiting for the raising sea levels to come wash me away. The coast line hasn’t changed any since all this global warming/climate change bs started and it likely never will minus the effects from normal erosion.

    Report Post » joshuawoodz  
  • Mr.Fitnah
    Posted on May 17, 2012 at 9:26am

    No fool like an old fool.

    Report Post » Mr.Fitnah  
    • Mr.Fitnah
      Posted on May 17, 2012 at 9:49am

      What a surprise dissenting views are denied on the blog.

      Report Post » Mr.Fitnah  
  • Tigress1
    Posted on May 17, 2012 at 9:24am

    Micha Tomkiewicz, well here’s a huge dinosaur fart in your honor! Pthlhhhhhhhsssss…

    Report Post » Tigress1  
  • RJJinGadsden
    Posted on May 17, 2012 at 9:23am

    Brooklyn College. Hmmm, just wondering if it adds any credence to his preachings if he does it with that Lords Of Flatbush BBQ accent. Just another Al Gore typical Chicken Little probably building up for his next federal grant request.

    Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
  • OneTermPresident
    Posted on May 17, 2012 at 9:23am

    Around 30 years of claiming this and that…. without proof. Phil Jones.. There’s been no statistically significant warming for the last 15 years.

    Wealth Redistribution…

    OTTMAR EDENHOFER: “First of all, developed countries have basically expropriated the atmosphere of the world community. But one must say clearly that we redistribute de facto the world’s wealth by climate policy. Obviously, the owners of coal and oil will not be enthusiastic about this. One has to free oneself from the illusion that international climate policy is environmental policy. This has almost nothing to do with environmental policy anymore, with problems such as deforestation or the ozone hole.”

    For the record, Edenhofer was co-chair of the IPCC’s Working Group III, and was a lead author of the IPCC’s Fourth Assessment Report released in 2007

    Report Post » OneTermPresident  
  • HKS
    Posted on May 17, 2012 at 9:17am

    What a waste of humanity this guy is.

    Report Post » HKS  
  • moussiagilda
    Posted on May 17, 2012 at 9:16am

    The weather is whatever God wants it to be. That’s it.

    Report Post »  
  • NHwinter
    Posted on May 17, 2012 at 9:13am

    These guys never give up. Just maybe God is the one in charge of weather/climate change. Just maybe its a natural curve going up and down. Just maybe ………………………..

    Report Post » NHwinter  
  • PPMStudios
    Posted on May 17, 2012 at 9:12am

    Seriously? Comparing a climate change ‘theory’ to an event that ‘literally’ caused the murder of millions of innocent people? Really?

    Give me a break. These ‘global warming’ ‘climate change’ people are completely NUTS!

    We already acknowledge the climatic changes on Earth are cyclic; But to think we can ‘reverse’ or ‘stop’ it is completely insane….

    Report Post » PPMStudios  
  • IAMMADDOG
    Posted on May 17, 2012 at 9:12am

    Oh please!!!! And this guy is a professor why?

    Report Post »  
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