Global Warming Endangered by Hot Air?
Global Warming Endangered by Hot Air?:
"oldwindways writes 'The BBC reports that leading
climate researchers are concerned that the tone of
speculation surrounding many reports (scientific as
well as in the media) could be making it more
difficult for legitimate science to make a case for
the future. Is Hollywood to blame? Have we 'cried
wolf' too many times with global warming? Or is this
just a case of some researchers who are not ready to
face the truth? Either way, it raises the interesting
question of how greater public awareness of Global
Warming might be affecting the course of research and
vice versa. Not to mention what happens when public
awareness is shaped by factors other than scientific
findings. This is especially troubling during what
some are calling the warmest US winter in years.'
(Via Slashdot.)
Are we beginning to see the first signs of our effects on the climate? I'm inclined to think that yes we are. Here in the UK it's been 2 maybe 3 years since we had a proper cold winter (although as I write the next few days are supposed to see a brief return of colder weather).
But like this BBC news story I do worry that some of the reporting of these sorts of stories are not really helping maters. In last weeks sunday times for instance (I can't find the story on line) there was a fairly sensational story about one climate scientist that was predicting the end of pretty much a life on earth by the end of this century if we don't do something about this now.
Of course only time will tell if this doomsday scenario comes to pass, and yes I think that if there is a possibility of such events happening it is worth us taking some sort of action before it's to late. But the way that these stories are presented does seem be a little hyped some times.