Quote:
Originally Posted by NatCh
So, speaking as the guy who weighed in above with the position that we don't yet know enough to be speaking authoritatively, let me ask -- and I really do mean this as a sincere request, not a dig or cheap shot -- let me ask what expertise you bring to the discussion? I like to know that sort of thing when I'm considering folks comments, you see, and since this is an area where I admit a fairly complete ignorance, I have no personal expertise within which to consider your comments.  |
Well, I'm not a climate scientist, and have made no claims to be one. The point I make is that I defer to the (overwhelming) scientific consensus on the issue. If you take an interest in the subject and look at *disinterested* scientific findings on climate change, the picture is very clear.
A couple of examples:
The Scientific Consensus on Climate Change (And that's 3 years old)
UK Govt's summary of the IPCC 2007 report
My own expertise is limited to having followed the issue for a number of years, reading books, attending conferences, and so on. It's something I feel strongly about, so I take an active interest. The Robert Henson book, Rough Guide to Climate Change, gives a really good explanation of the science.
Unfortunately there has been a lot of misinformation systematically spread over recent years by interested parties who wish to preserve the status quo.
This site is good at debunking some of these. See also George Monbiot's book, Heat.