Why does anyone give credence to a politician's views on Global Warming.?

The same reason global cooling was given wide-spread popularity shortly before this (see newstories online about it).

People know very little about science other than it brings interesting things into their lives.

Scientific method is not taught effectively, and often people identify strongly with certain discoveries that reinforce their idea of how things SHOULD be, rather than being truly scientific about things and wanting the facts, as well as being willing to question any facts you've already accepted.

Five years from now we may discover that we ARE having a major influence on the planet.

Would you be willing to accept that scientific evidence? If so, then you have successfully understood what science is about: constantly changing and growing bodies of knowledge, always questioned, always tested, in an attempt to understand reality better.

Politicians know that few people check their scientific background and latch onto what helps their cause.

'Course, come to think on it, that's what they're supposed to do. I suppose we could come to understand politics better as well... .

Get real people.

Exxon has spent millions of dollars to discreit the concept of global warmning...can you spell GREED? This dinosaur philosophy of pollution has to go, we need solar and wind solutions to pollution...and many more alternatives to all of the transportation vehicles including airplanes.

The British and Spanish coasts have suffered drought and wildfire, unheard of in those rainy areas...and that's just for starters. To hear the real story try learning from the BBC. Their media is much less corporately controlled than ours are in the USA...it's time we wake up and smell the burning stench under our own noses!!!!

Because liberals can't remain in power unless there is a crisis that can only be solved by them and big government policies.

Wrong. The sun's output has declined since its peak in the mid 1950's. Yet the climate has gotten warmer in that time.

yeah, yeah it's all a liberal conspiracy.