Global warming: sorry, the science is not settled

Stan Beer
Saturday, 30 January 2010 21:21

Opinion and Analysis

Everywhere I turn these days I hear the catch phrase "the science of man-made global warming is settled - there can be no more debate." Well I'm sorry to be a thorn in the side of anthropogenic global warming zealotry but nothing could be further from the truth.

The moment any political class or its media chorus line tries to tell me that the "science is settled" and that anyone who disagrees is a lunatic or a ratbag is the moment that I get worried for the future of our society.

The fact of the matter is that most of the substantial numbers of anthropogenic climate-change skeptics in the world are not lunatics or ratbags. In fact a large number of them - despite what some sections of the media would have you believe - are highly-credentialed scientists.

Many of the anthropogenic climate change skeptics in the scientific world are geophysicists, atmospheric physicists, meteorologists and other specialists who work intimately with matters concerning the earth's climate. And no, the majority are not in the pay of the fossil fuel industries, although I don't doubt that some are.

Far be it for me to suggest that you take my word for it. I strongly encourage you to do some research of your own on Google.

However, for those of you who just couldn't be bothered doing your own research and have been content to just swallow the refrain of the global warming cheer squad in the media, at social events, and elsewhere, I'm happy to assist you in making a start in thinking for yourselves.