By Roger Mitchell, Stevensville
On the topic of climate change, there should be no argument—the climate is changing. It is a proven fact. Rick Landry, Corvallis, is correct. He is also on target with his statement about skepticism being a good thing. I agree, and think that this world would be better off if more people actually withheld judgment about any specific issue until they had seen/heard facts and arguments from all sides—then made a decision as to the truth of the matter. In another time, skepticism might have been confused for wisdom.
It is also a proven fact that the climate has always been changing. There has never been a time in the history of the world in which the climate has not changed. There is no such thing as “normal” climate. It is constantly fluctuating, getting hotter or colder, moving between warm periods during which both poles have been completely ice-free and cold periods in which a large part of the Earth has been locked in a deep freeze. And everything in between, such as the time we live in now. To say that the climate is changing is to only assert what is a scientifically documented fact.
However, to make the claim that this change is human caused (anthropogenic) is another matter entirely. That is not scientific at all, but merely hypothesis based on certain studies which may or may not be accurate. This is the point where we leave science and healthy skepticism behind in favor of emotional reactions which promote and validate our own viewpoints, many of which border on the religious.
Mr. Landry has stated that, “Genuine scientific skepticism is, I agree, a good thing. In fact, it’s the heart of the scientific method. Genuine skeptics don’t come to a conclusion until they have considered the evidence.” Today, the easiest way to gather evidence before coming to a conclusion is to use modern technology, that is to say, Google. To make it even easier, I include these search terms which will give anyone who wants to see a wide range of information. There is grist here for everyone.
1. climate change 97% scientists
2. climate change 31,000 scientists petition
Go ahead, search them out and read these articles, studies, and opinions in as reasonable and unbiased manner as you can. Keep in mind that it is very easy to simply read/listen to/approve of what you already believe and discard everything else.
Finally, just because a rise in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere correlates with a rise in human-caused carbon emissions at the same time that the temperature is rising, it does not mean that humans are causing the temperature rise. Science has held this truism for a long, long time: CORRELATION DOES NOT EQUAL CAUSATION. I might say, neither does consensus. After all, 600 years ago, the scientific, popular, nearly universal consensus was that the sun revolved around the earth, which, as everyone knew, was flat. Chances are that 600 years from now, people will look back and marvel at some of the stuff we profess to be absolutely true.
Need I say more?
Richard Landry says
Roger,
I appreciate your response, on many levels. You are polite and diplomatic, and have completely avoided any ad hominem attacks, which are all too often the case here in the LTE’s at the STAR. Thanks for being so civil.
There is one element in your reply that I would take to task: the petition signed by
31,000 ‘scientists’. You may need to heed your own cogent advice, and dig deeper here. This petition, although links to it may abound on the WWW, has been thoroughly debunked on multiple levels. I will not reiterate the findings here, but leave that to your discretion or interest.
Again, I appreciate your tone of civility. There are a score of frequent LTE contributors whom I wish would follow your exemplary style.
Kind regards…