To: Thomas A Watson who wrote (821 ) 7/27/2025 3:50:01 PM From: Don Green 1 RecommendationRecommended By
Read Replies (2) | Respond to Thomas97% of actively publishing climate scientists agree that human activities—especially burning fossil fuels—are a significant driver of global warming. But the origin and interpretation of that number are more nuanced than it sounds. The figure was popularized by a 2013 study led by John Cook, which analyzed 11,944 peer-reviewed papers on climate science. Of the papers that expressed a clear position on human-caused global warming, 97.1% endorsed the view that humans are contributing to it. Other studies, like one by Doran and Zimmerman (2009), found similar results among climate experts: 74 out of 77 top-publishing climate scientists agreed with the anthropogenic cause. ?? Why the Number Is Contested Critics argue that the 97% figure is misleading because: Many papers in the original study didn’t explicitly state a position. The definition of “consensus” was broad—some papers merely acknowledged human influence, not necessarily that it’s the primary cause. Some surveys show lower consensus (around 80–90%) depending on how the question is framed and who is surveyed (e.g., general scientists vs climate specialists). ?? Who Are the 3%? A 2021 analysis found that most of the remaining 3% of contrarian voices: Were not climate experts by publication standards. Had ties to think tanks or industries opposing climate regulation. Were disproportionately older and often aligned with laissez-faire economic ideologies . ?? Why It Matters The 97% figure is often used rhetorically to emphasize scientific consensus and counter misinformation. But the real takeaway isn’t the exact percentage—it’s that the overwhelming majority of climate scientists agree human activity is warming the planet. Even among dissenters, few deny warming altogether; most debate the severity , policy responses , or economic implications . If you're curious, I can walk you through how different surveys define “consensus” or explore how this debate influences public policy. Want to dig deeper? instituteforenergyresearch.org politifact.com forbes.com cambridge.org
