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Re: [Phys-l] Climate skeptic convinced by data. Was: Re: Mike Mann _The hockey



Hi

A few responses to this issue seem to indicate that the author(s) don't think scientists have thought long enough or hard enough about the possible alternative reasons for the current global warming trend. There is a long history of the science behind why the majority of climate scientists have come to the conclusion that humans are causing a warming. This is not some radical idea that came to some few individuals a few years ago; the details have been teased out over the past 100 years through vigorous scientific debate: http://www.aip.org/history/climate/index.htm

There IS a contingent of very focused, well funded anti-human caused climate change deniers and they are having an impact. M. Mann's interview and book have been mentioned. Here is an article in the Guardian that documents efforts by the Heartland Institute to change public opinion: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/feb/15/leak-exposes-heartland-institute-climate?intcmp=239 From leaked documents the Guardian concludes that the Heartland Institute had a plan that included money for influencing K-12 students that causes of climate change were uncertain.

The Heartland Institute also spent considerable time and money trying to obfuscate the connection between smoking and cancer. (see 'Merchants of Doubt' by Oreskes and Conrad). This appears to be the result of a loyalty to the idea that ANY regulation of the free market is a bad thing.

kyle


---------------------------------------------------------
Scientists are like "mariners who have to
rebuild their ship on the high seas, without
ever being able to strip it down in dock and
construct it afresh from the best available
components". Otto Neurath

kyle forinash
kforinas@ius.edu<mailto:kforinas@ius.edu>
http://homepages.ius.edu/kforinas/Ebook/Site/Blog/Blog.html