I often receive information from people who still doubt the consensus on climate change. Recently a friend sent a link to yet another article about some "authority" who claims climate change is bunk. What I wonder is this: why is it that it is so easy to believe people who are TV "journalists", fiction writers, (or TV meteorologists), radio talk show hosts, and all others of that ilk, who have no advanced training in science (a PhD and years of work should carry some weight, but apparently not in modern-day America, where there is little respect for intellectual pusuits, and even a disdain for science or scholarship!), but not the words of the people who have really done the work? If I have a heart attack, do I ask a plumber for answers about what to do? I think the answer must be yes for many people today. Meanwhile, lots of other folks around the planet are moving forward with strategies to deal with cllimate change, instead of arguing about whether it exists. My prediction: we'll be last in line.
If you want to read information from trained people, engaged in real science focusing on climate, go to the RealClimate blog.
1 comment:
Hear, hear!
I would also suggest people who prefer to get their information from TV or videos watch AIT (which was made available for purchase on iTunes yesterday) or David Attenborough's two-part series on climate change. (He has done a more recent climate change documentary that I watched on UKTV, but it is not online yet.)
This is what I have told people who have open minds on other sources of authoritative information:
"You can find out more about Sir David's commitment to our climate challenge here, and also watch embedded Google videos for:
Part I: Are We Changing Planet Earth?
57 min 52 sec - Aug 15, 2007
Description: The global warming documentary "Are We Changing Planet Earth?" was released on May 24, 2006 on the BBC and The Discovery Channel as the first of a 2 part series, the other entitled "Can We Save Planet Earth?" The documentary is presented by acclaimed filmmaker David Attenborough as he discusses the science and implications of climate change.
Part II: Can We Save Planet Earth?
58 min 53 sec - Aug 16, 2007
Description: "Can We Save Planet Earth?" was released on June 1, 2006 on the BBC and The Discovery Channel as the second of a 2 part series, the other entitled "Are We Changing Planet Earth?" The documentary is presented by acclaimed filmmaker David Attenborough as he discusses what we can do to stop climate change."
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