Near Alice Springs.

Climate Change – The Skeptics

The skeptics base their skepticism on political interference, incorrect modeling and inaccurate data (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_warming_controversy). We can disregard ‘Climategate’ as just another unseemly squabble amongst academics – it was a peripheral disturbance, which served to make me more aware of the controversy.

For the skeptics case see Joanna Nova, (2009), The Skeptics Handbook, downloadable from http://joannenova.com.au/, Formatted to draw attention to the ‘fallacies’ perpetrated by the anthropogenic community (humans are causing climate change) it, on a second reading, lacks credibility. Headings such as ‘The Surgical Strike’ and ‘The Global Warming Gravy Train Ran Out of Evidence’ are journalistic, which I am striving to avoid. However, cutting through the hyperbole, she does summarise the skeptic’s case and leaves me unconvinced.

Then there is Ian Plimer’s, (2009), Heaven and Earth: Global Warming – The Missing Science, Connor Court Publishing, which takes the long-term view presenting information that cold periods have coincided with significantly higher CO₂ in the atmosphere. I respect his credentials and agree with his thesis, but what is his point? Why not act on reducing our carbon emissions and our environment-disturbing footprint? Why argue against what will benefit us and future generations?

Over several months I have moved from sympathy with the ‘skeptics’ to ‘let’s get some sensible action in place’. I doubt that chaining one’s self to a coal train, climbing lamp-posts or blockading coal mines will have much effect – it’s the old Vietnam Moratorium syndrome that so attracts the young, and is fun, but has never changed society.

My next inquiry will be to look at the Commonwealth Government’s policies and actions to mitigate CO₂ emissions.