I suppose it's possible that those who are committed to drastic and dramatic action on climate change will pretend that most of 2009 didn't happen. The world leaders, scientists and lobbyists from environmental organisations and their evil cousins, the lobbyists for green technology, can all show up in Copenhagen, listen to each other talk, and resolve merrily that global warming should go away. Of course they won't detail how, unless it involves spending money after the politicians leave office.
Since this is what most likely will happen, let's take a look at the opportunity they're missing. Imagine what would happen if they addressed reality from the podium and said something like this:
"Science is a funny thing, even if global warming is not. This year has brought information to us that can call into question some of the courses of action we have espoused, and even some of the premises that have underlain so many of our beliefs and ideals.
"We need to say openly that the science isn't settled--that although the mechanisms by which global warming can be caused by CO2 and other greenhouse gases are not controversial, we are still adjusting our models and cannot honestly say how dramatic global warming will be, especially over the near term.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Global warming's rocky road to Copenhagen
via examiner.com
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