The global warming issue has set science back for a long time. Why?
Because of the mantra of "the science is settled", and "the debate is over." Because of news of the sacking of contrarian scientists. Because of the ad hominem attacks on other contrarian scientists. Because of outlandish claims on a worldwide consensus of scientists' opinions backing AGW. Because of dishonesty of certain scientists (the Hockey Stick graph, et al). Because of shoddy peer review work (the Hockey Stick graph, et al). Because of bolstering AGW using cherry picked data. Because of the need to "focus" (bias) research to support public policy decision making. Because the IPCC was falsely put forth as a scientific organization, rather than as a political and politically-motivated institution. Because the IPCC refused to publish reviewers's comments that might cast doubt on the AGW hypothesis. Because of scientists' bias from zealous personal environmental beliefs. Because of scientists who advance AGW beliefs though political activism. Because of scientists who advocate making false claims about AGW and/or exaggerated claims of potential environmental impact (in other words, tell big fat lies). Because of unexplained adjustments to land temperature records made by NASA, always cassified as "secret", always to bias in favor of warming, and always in wide disagreement with satellite temperature measurements. Because of reliance on unaudited climate models. Because of politicians who deliberately misstate scientific fact to advance political agendas. Because of lop-sided mass media coverage of the global warming issue.
The list could go on, but you get the idea. Unless Ms. Kirshenbaum leads a sheltered life, I suspect she knows of the aforementioned reasons, as well.
The scientifically ignorant public will easily remember that science "got it wrong" on global warming. Perhaps scientific literacy could be improved if scientists were to develop an affordable hydogen fuel cell that would power a home or business.
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Scientific Illiteracy Could Have Damaging Impact in Future
The global warming issue has set science back for a long time. Why?
Because of the mantra of "the science is settled", and "the debate is over." Because of news of the sacking of contrarian scientists. Because of the ad hominem attacks on other contrarian scientists. Because of outlandish claims on a worldwide consensus of scientists' opinions backing AGW. Because of dishonesty of certain scientists (the Hockey Stick graph, et al). Because of shoddy peer review work (the Hockey Stick graph, et al). Because of bolstering AGW using cherry picked data. Because of the need to "focus" (bias) research to support public policy decision making. Because the IPCC was falsely put forth as a scientific organization, rather than as a political and politically-motivated institution. Because the IPCC refused to publish reviewers's comments that might cast doubt on the AGW hypothesis. Because of scientists' bias from zealous personal environmental beliefs. Because of scientists who advance AGW beliefs though political activism. Because of scientists who advocate making false claims about AGW and/or exaggerated claims of potential environmental impact (in other words, tell big fat lies). Because of unexplained adjustments to land temperature records made by NASA, always cassified as "secret", always to bias in favor of warming, and always in wide disagreement with satellite temperature measurements. Because of reliance on unaudited climate models. Because of politicians who deliberately misstate scientific fact to advance political agendas. Because of lop-sided mass media coverage of the global warming issue.
The list could go on, but you get the idea. Unless Ms. Kirshenbaum leads a sheltered life, I suspect she knows of the aforementioned reasons, as well.
The scientifically ignorant public will easily remember that science "got it wrong" on global warming. Perhaps scientific literacy could be improved if scientists were to develop an affordable hydogen fuel cell that would power a home or business.
August 12, 2009 at 3:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )