Look, I'll openly admit I probably don't know enough about science to debate with you. You clearly know more about science than I do. I'm more a business, finance, and economics guy. However, here is why I am holding onto my opinion on this subject. I'm a huge believer in the power of science to unlock the secrets of the universe. I'm an even bigger believer in the scientific process of hypothesis testing and peer review. And finally, I believe in the consensus of the scientific community, because ultimately, when a consensus is formed among that community, it is because a lot of very smart people have looked at a lot of evidence and concluded that the probabilities favor a particular, repeatable outcome. That is where we are at with climate change among the scientific community. When I visited Iceland and saw first hand what I saw and had it explained to me by a Phd in climate science, that piece of anecdotal information once again solidified what I think about this whole thing.
So you may be right. Anyone with a belief in hypothesis testing and statistics will tell you that nothing ever is 100% certain. But to my mind, you and the minority of climate deniers, set against the global scientific consensus comprising many different scientific disciplines, represent a minority view, which means you represent a small probability of certitude. I'll go with the scientific consensus, simply because there are more of them that believe they have proof of it than there are of you who believe you have proof it is not happening. That's probability for you. So I believe in climate change and that humans are accelerating it, and it's likely harmful impacts, until the scientific consensus changes. For me, it really is that simple. It's as simple as the reason why I believe lipitor lowers cholesterol, which lowers the risk of heart disease. I believe it, because the scientific consensus has concluded this is the high probability outcome.
This is why I don't like to debate with climate change deniers. For me, it's about probabilities and there just aren't enough of you to change the weight of probabilities, which means you can't change my opinion...yet. |
