And yet, astronomy and paleontology, to name but two, are generally regarded as mature sciences; despite the inability to perform controlled experiments.
_________________________
Joel Rauber
| -----Original Message-----
| From: phys-l-bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu [mailto:phys-l-
| bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu] On Behalf Of Shahram Mostarshed
| Sent: Monday, February 20, 2012 12:46 PM
| To: marx@phy.ilstu.edu; Forum for Physics Educators
| Subject: Re: [Phys-l] Climate skeptic convinced by data. Was: Re: Mike
| Mann _The hockey
|
| Climate is too complex to analyze at a fundamental level. We don't have
| another planet to conduct a controlled experiment where we can tweak
| the
| variables one at a time to see the outcome. The best we can hope for is
| a
| statistical analysis of climate patterns.
|
| The real question we ought to be asking is given the fact that there is
| a
| direct and indisputable connection between carbon emissions and
| temperature
| rise, should we continue with the current rate of consumption and
| production (based on profits)?
|
| Shahram
|