Science Deals In Data And Theories, Not Dogma

Sydney Morning Herald

Wednesday August 6, 2008

Let's ask climate change sceptics three questions.

First, if current warming is not caused by human activity, what is the culprit? (It is much too rapid to invoke so-called natural cycles.)

Second, since no one has come up with a viable alternative, how do you explain the many and diverse data that point to human activity? (Remember the opinions of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change have been agreed, after stringent review, by government ministers around the world, not just scientists.)

Third, do you think global scientific agreement is wrong, including the opinions of Nobel laureates awarded for their contributions to atmospheric science? You do? Then bear in mind that other courageous folk who have successfully challenged the scientific mainstream either possessed unique and testable data of their own, or thought of a brilliant and blindingly original alternative. Over to you.

Andrew Beattie Westleigh

At best claims that the world has cooled since 1998 (Letters, August 5) are ill-informed. That year was exceptionally hot due to the El Nino effect, and it is true that if you draw a line between 1998 and 2007 the line slopes downwards. However, if you draw a line between 1997 and 2007, or between 1999 and 2007, the trend is upwards. By picking a year with record high temperatures, sceptics skew the results to favour their argument.

There is no peer-reviewed research that claims the world is cooling since 1998, because such a claim fails the most basic statistical tests.

Matthew Tucker Baulkham Hills

Science is not about expressing opinions, but working with hypothesis, facts and data, and ultimately publishing the research outcomes in peer-reviewed scientific papers. Like Philip Wood (Letters, August 5), we are happy to hear the views of both sides of the climate change science. However, it means hearing from scientists whose work has been put under the scrutiny of their peers, through the process of publication. Opinions, whether those of scientists or laypersons, remain subjective. So I invite the Herald to open its opinion pages to the views of both sides - of published science.

Catherine Ciret Fairlight

Lies, damn lies and computer modelling, according to Anthony Cox. No empirical data to show that global warming or cooling is caused by man-made carbon dioxide emissions, says Philip Wood. But until we know conclusively what does cause climate change, which is obviously occurring, I prefer to take the emissions trading option immediately.

Debby Nicholls Balmain

Sorry, Philip Wood. There are very definite links between the climate change denial groups funded by Exxon Mobil and the campaign run by tobacco companies such as Philip Morris. The link is APCO, a public-relations consulting group which played a key role in setting up the tobacco industry campaign, and later did similar work for Exxon Mobil. The Guardian in Britain has documented how Exxon Mobil set up and supported climate change denial groups all around the world.

The way these groups operate is eerily similar to the tactics recommended by APCO to Philip Morris in its campaign to cast doubt on scientific findings that smoking was a major cause of lung cancer and strokes.

Chris Cuthbert Epping

© 2008 Sydney Morning Herald

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