Originally Posted by baldwin
Don't kid yourselves, there isn't a lot of argument in the scientific community, scientists are convinced that we are having a large impact here. Sure, natural climate change does happen, but it seems extremely likely that we're speeding the hell out of it. They know that CO2 insulates the atmosphere, keeps heat in. Think about all our cars, oil-burning homes, industries, slash-and-burn in the tropics, we're doubtlessly adding huge amounts to the atmosphere. Even if you believe there is some reason for doubt, I'd much rather err on the safe side,...and it'll do ourselves a lot of good in other ways, also. Renewable fuel sources would benefit us all tremendously, as well as help our ecosystems.
That comment about scientific theories is right on the money. Non-scientists confuse the word "theory" with the word "hypothesis". A hypothesis implies uncertainty, theory has to have a huge amount of supporting evidence. Scientists never say that anything is proven, by consensus, science leaves everything open to further testing. The opportunity for further testing is what gives science its credibility.
Adherents to the Intelligent Design hypothesis like to say that evolution is only a theory. It is fact, but called a theory because of the above reasons. That doesn't mean that there isn't a God, religion and science fit together very well if you don't develop a near-sighted case of tunnel vision.
If you don't have the training of the scientists who have the educational background and do that stuff for a living (biologists, geologists, chemists, environmental scientists, meteorologists...), then it would seem to me to be pretty naive to argue with them.
You wouldn't blindly go against the advice of your financial advisor about your retirement investments, or argue with your doctor about how to cure your possibly terminal case of cancer, would you? Leave the politics aside and use your sense of reason.
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