Branson vs. Rutan On Global Warming

Dick Branson and Burt Rutan are two of the driving forces behind Virgin Galactic:

http://www.spacedaily.com/news/spacetravel-05zzzg.html

Branson appears to be the current poster child for the "global warming" loonies:

http://dailycaller.com/2014/03/10/richard-branson-global-warming-deniers-get-out-of-our-way/

Rutan, on the other hand, is one of the more believable global warming skeptics:

http://rps3.com/Files/AGW/EngrCritique.AGW-Science.v4.3.pdf

Do these guys talk to each other about anything other than space travel?

What does Branson mean when he says global warming deniers should get out of "our" way? Who is the "us" to whom this warning applies? And who is supposed to get out of "their" way? Does this apply to Branson's commercial partners, such as Rutan?

Q: What is the difference between science and religion?

A: Science is the quest to satisfy human curiosity through rational methods of gathering information. It demands that ALL claims be backed by evidence. Everything is open to criticism.

Religion is the quest to control human beings through emotional intimidation. It demands total faith without any evidence to back its claims. Nothing is open to criticism, and questioning anything is considered evil.

from Yahoo! Answers

Does Branson's approach sound more like science ... or religion?

If the promotion of the global warming religion is driven mainly by billionaires and others for whom achieving greater wealth through the promotion of such a religion is a motivator, then I will find it difficult to believe them.

If Branson is so concerned about the fate of the planet, then let him sell off Necker Island and donate his riches towards saving us all. If he can't or won't, then to me he's just another really rich guy sponsoring a cause which requires me to do something he won't do himself.

Now to the "facts" ...

This interesting essay warns us again about the danger posed by arctic methane deposits which may start escaping into the atmosphere in runaway fashion:

http://dissidentvoice.org/2014/03/arctic-methane-on-tenterhooks/

Q1: How did the methane get there?

Q2: If this phenomenon occurs during every period of global warming (accompanying prior "ice ages"), how is the methane then removed from the atmosphere ... allowing the planet to cool down again? And how is the store of subsea methane replenished?

A: One possibility is that the source of the methane is long period comet swarms from the Kuiper Belt and the Oort Cloud. If so, then we're due for another swarm one of these days. And there is nothing we can do to stop it.

Unless ... instead of ferrying rich people into space on a series of revolting ego trips, Branson would like to donate his fleet of spacecraft to a global effort to intercept and deflect the next comet swarm. Such a thing might take all of this wealth to achieve, but the whole world would definitely give him a hearty handshake and a giant pat on the back.

How about it, Dick?