[[voiceover]] every day, events sweep across our country. And with them, a storm of views. How can you fully understand the impact unless youve heard angles you hadnt considered . Antonio mora brings you smart conversation that challenges the status quo with unexpected opinions and a fresh outlook. Including yours. Story. For more than 20 years 97 of Scientific Research has said that Climate Change is happening and it is caused by people. But americans remain divided on the issue, and they are more skeptical than others around the world. 40 of americans see the change in climate as a major global threat. Thats in comparison to 54 of europeans, and 65 of those surveyed in latin america. To continue this discussion, were joined by michael mann the director of penn states earth system science center, heidi coen, and claus jacob. Why the reluctance of some americans to trust the science. In 2002 there was an internal memo leaked from frank luntz. And he was advising his clienting that the public was becoming convinced that there was a Scientific Consensus s surrounding the issue of Climate Change. But based on his focus grouping and polling, there was still a narrow window of opportunity left to insert doubt, to manufacture doubt and uncertainty, to cloud the Public Discourse over this issue, and thats exactly what vested interests have done over the past ten years. They have spent literally hundreds of millions of dollars in a major Disinformation Campaign. A campaign aimed at confusing the public. And thats why we see this gulf between where the scientists stand, whereas you said 97 of scientists in this field concur with the accepted fact that climate that climate is changing, the global is warming, its due to human activity, and if we continue on this course well see devastating impacts. So there is a gulf between where scientists are and where the public is. Depending on the poll anywhere from 50 to 65 of the public accept that Climate Change is a problem. That gulf was created through a Disinformation Campaign involving hundreds of millions advertisements. Heidi how firm of a time line can you give people about when things could and will happen and then if people in washington, d. C. Walk outside in august and its a breezy 65 degree day, how do you convince them that thats not the way to judge the overall picture of Climate Change . Well, i think when it comes to talking about the time line, and the president just did this very well in his speech he gave at georgetown is to say Climate Change is happening now, and these heat trapping gases are in the atmosphere for so long. So first of all the warming is going on right now. We can measure it across many different variables, and theres tremendous consensus within the scientific community, because a lot of investment was made in making the public think the scientists were decided on this issue, so i think its really important to hammer hone this point to make sure everyone knows it is really and it is happening right now. And i think after sandy, a lot of people are really beginning to think that its time for washington to step up and take leadership on this issue. And more and more americans take Climate Change seriously, and they want their elected officials to take it seriously as well. Younger americans have a different perspective than their parents. 66 said Climate Change is a problem and needs to be addressed. About a quarter of them believe Climate Change is a natural event that humans cannot impact. Only 3 think Climate Change isnt happening at all. Claus jacob when you hear those numbers what does that make you think about . Well, as dr. Mann had said this is a fabricated story that Climate Change doubters see around the country. Were seeing sea level rising in accelerated fashion already. We see the temperatures rising, so to go on the floor in congress and to promote untruth is irresponsible, and if those that do it are aware that each day that we fall behind in adapting to Climate Change will cost not only lives, but dollars and our livelihoods, then they should look into the mirror and ask themselves how long do i untruth . Even among democrats and republicans who agree that Climate Change is happening, michael mann there is a big gulf between what should be done. Where should the debate go . Thats a great question. Theres a legitimate political debate to be had about what actions we should take to try to reduce carbon emissions, to incentivize noncarbonbased entry, so we transition away from the very behavior that is warming the climate and costing us hugely already. There is a legitimate debate to be had, and its appropriate to have conservatives and progressives at the table debating what sort of policies we should put in place. There has been arguments made by conservatives that we should use Something Like a revenue neutral carbon tax. A free Market Driven conservative solution to the problem. And i think its great that were having that discussion. What isnt okay is for us to continue to pretend that the problem doesnt exist. But is there a danger in not doing anything because the two sides cant agree . What we have seen because there is intransigeance right now in our congress, we have a House Science Committee the Science Committee of the u. S. House of representatives, the republicans on that committee dont even accept the reality of Climate Change. So its difficult to see comprehensive legislation being passed. And yet the participate president of the United States has taken action at reducing co2 emissions, and various measures that will help deal with this problem. There are things being done already by the president of the United States to try to reduce our emissions and get us headed in the right direction, and maybe a couple of years from now well be at the point where we congress. What about companies. Heidi how do you incentivize companies to make changes . Well, i think this is a big challenge for everyone is showing leadership in all of the different sectors that need to show leadership, and i think were beginning to see some sectors step up, and at the local level, at the city and state level, because these are the places that are getting really hard hit by extreme weather, 2012 cost over 100 billion in terms of disasters, and were starting to see a lot of leadership at the local and city level. As claus mentioned when it comes to resilience and we have initiatives in new york, boston, and chicago, to focus on infrastructure, theres tremendous Market Opportunities there as well as with renewables. Time for a short break. When we come back well ask how American Cities can prepare for why some critics say the school is setting the kids up for failure. Al Jazeera America a new voice welcome back story. We have been talk about the impact of Climate Change in the United States, and what can be done to slow it down. Still with us, michael mann, heidi cullen, and from new york, disaster Risk Management specialist, claus jacob. Heidi what is the biggest punch in terms of renewables in changing the future. Here in the United States we have so many natural assets, and i think solar and wind are great ways to move forward. And germany has done a lot of work with solar, and they get no more sunshine than seattle. So we need to aggressively go after those assets. And michael Mann Companies why should they jump on board . Its an issue of competitiveness. Right now the u. S. Is falling behind the rest of the world. Nations like china and india are spending more on Renewable Energy than we are here in the u. S. They recognize that the future is in renewables, and if we want to maintain our competitiveness, we need to move forward with our own Renewable Energy future. And we get back to adapting versus preventing, which is more important at this point . Fundamentally, its three ways of adapting. One is protecting with engineering so the oceans barriers, levies pumps and the likes, the next thing is to accommodate the water into some parts of the city and preparing the lower floors to be resilie t resilient. And the last and politically most difficult for individuals and political process to accept is managed retreat. Now, new york city and a few other cities like boston have the luxury of topography where ground. You are talking about moving people, major settlements and cities inland . Absolutely, and miami does not have that option, because there is no natural high [ technical difficulties ] and thats where the other alternatives, namely the mitigation, that means the reduction of Greenhouse Gas emissions and switching to nonfossil fuel resources really is the longterm solution. Heidi where does personal responsibility come in . What about individuals . What is their responsibility . I think this is where Climate Change becomes complicated. Its not just about what the federal government does, or what your mayor does, but how we all as individuals respond as well. And part of this discussion is coming to terms with the fact that were all part of the problem, but were all part of the solution. And as claus said for every co2 molecule that we prevent from cutting into the atmosphere, thats the best decision we can make, and making smart decisions when it comes to what kind of cars we drive and applies, think about those choices. Think about Climate Change when you make these decisions, because itmatters. Michael mann what about china and india, if they look at the big picture globally, how much impact can americans make . I think it is a matter of moral leadership. The developing world that is now moving ahead of the u. S. In terms of their contribution toward a Global Carbon emission, but if we here cant pass comprehensive Energy Legislation that allows us to deal with the cost, the damaging of ongoing fossil fuel emissions, then when the rest of the world looks at us, they can rightfully say, well, you know, the u. S. , you had two centuries of free access to cheap fossil fuel energy, dont we deserve our turn now . And if were not displaying leadership in the way we are dealing with and confronting this issue, then the rest of the world may not feel compelled to do so themselves. Claus we heard from heidi about energy efficiency, what is one thing you would like to see changed right away . That we built not more assets, settlements, developments at low elevations at the waterfront at our shorelines. That is a very poor investment. We have to find means and ways to prevent this. This is calling for more losses in the future, and we cannot afford those losses. One thing, michael mann that you would do . I would just encourage people to to think about ways that they can you know, reduce their energy usage, be more Energy Efficient in the appliances they purchase, and in the way they conduct their lives. Limit their Carbon Footprint as much as they can. Thank you all so much for being with us. Thats it for the team in washington, d. C. , and for me libby casey. But you can keep the conversation going by logging on millions who need assistance now. We appreciate you spending time with us tonight. Up next is the golden age of hollywood going golden but elsewhere. Why l. A. s mayor has declared a state of emergency for the Entertainment Industry there. Next. Welcome to al jazeera. Here are the top stories at this hour. President obama is headed to head to russia at the start of the g20 summit. Mr. Obama will arrive in stole n stockholm in 30 might b 30 minu. Syria is the main topic of the conversation as the military plans to strike the syrian regime. The resolution will limit hostility to