Dialog across the political divide

[Paul Hernday]

Hi,
I'm interested in having forum-type dialog with people who are skeptical about climate change and about renewable energy and science in general. I'm new to Green Power Talk (joined today), but not surprisingly there does not appear to be a category for this sort of dialog. Plenty of posts requesting info, but from people who are already aligned with green power thinking. Would it make sense to create an outreach sort of category, inviting people who are skeptical to dialog with other members?
Also, can you recommend other web sites that facilitate this sort of dialog?
Thanks,
Paul

[Joe Blake]

Hi Paul,
Welcome to Green Power Talk. I've been on this forum since early 2007 and have no recollection of any attempt to discourage free discussion on this topic. I'll join such a discussion should it be started but I've been involved with electronics (including photoelectric and photovoltaic devices) since my apprenticeship back in the mid '60s and such debate has waned considerably over last decade or two.

In the interests of full disclosure I've used electric vehicles since about 2007 and am hopefully acquiring an electric "cafe racer" style motorcycle very soon. Perhaps to kick off, I can only say that my latest midi-scooter has covered about 1,700 km in a month and thanks to my rooftop solar system, has literally cost me zero dollars to cover that distance. Since instigating said rooftop system (2009) it's generated about 44 MWh of power, which is (according to my local electricity retailer) the equivalent of not emitting over 40 tonnes of CO2 into the environment. Lastly, my latest power bill shows I have a credit of over $1,000. (I hasten to add it's not entirely due to my solar system, but there have been government assistance packages over the years - unnecessary in my case.)

[Paul Hernday]

Hi Joe,
I'm very impressed with your experience in the solar electric realm! I'm hoping to find an online forum or chat space where people like us with actual experience of alternative energy can interact with people who are skeptical or feel it's fake news, but are still searching for more information or at least a discussion. Let me know if you run across such a forum, and maybe it's a function that GPT could facilitate.
Paul

[Rob Beckers]

I have no objection to such discussion as long as people treat each other with respect. I've moved the thread to "The Lounge" as this is less about technology and more about (in a sense) politics, even if the topic should not be it has been made from what should be factual knowledge into something akin to opinion.

-RoB-
(A.K.A. your moderator)