Is The Science Settled or Not?
Published Tue, Oct 31 2006 5:40 PM
Technorati Tags: Computers and Internet, Global Warming, Software Development
Pick up an issue of Scientific American these days, and you're just about sure to find and article somewhere make the assertion that the science behind global warming theory is "settled". It's even a trend now to tar critics of the theory as being part of the climate-change "denial industry", and deserving of war crimes trials... a climate Nuremberg. But here's some evidence that maybe, just maybe there isn't a true consensus out there after all...
But illustrating the volatile nature of the debate, the scientific conference descended into name calling.
Colorado State University's William Gray, one of the nation's preeminent hurricane forecasters, called noted Boulder climate researcher Kevin Trenberth an opportunist and a Svengali who "sold his soul to the devil to get (global warming) research funding."
Trenberth countered that Gray is not a credible scientist.
"Not any more. He was at one time, but he's not any more," Trenberth said of Gray, one of a handful of prominent U.S. scientists who question whether humans play a significant role in warming the planet by burning fossil fuels that release heat-trapping gases.
"He's one of the contrarians, some of whom get money to spread lies about global warming," Trenberth said during a break following his presentation at the 31st annual Climate Diagnostics & Prediction Workshop. About 150 scientists from more than 10 countries are attending the weeklong meeting.
Source: Rocky Mountain News: Local
It seems to me that there's still some question about what the actual effects of global warming will be, or what the actual causes are. One thing is certain though... there are an awful lot of scientists out there that are still skeptical both about the causes of global warming, and what we can do about it.
There also doesn't seem to be much in the way of experimental evidence behind most of the science of global warming. There's a lot of computer modelling and speculation going on, but a model isn't reality any more than a video game is real life.
I forget who it was that said it, but I still think it fits.
in theory, there is no difference between theory and practice, but in practice there is.
If you want to read about someone who has an alternate theory, backed with experimental evidence, go here.
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