Relatively old WSJ Essay on Climate Science

[cyptomcat]

Since the 'swarm lounge' became the 'climate lounge', I share this excellent essay "Climate Science is not Settled" by
Dr. Koonin (His previous positions include professor of theoretical physics and provost at Caltech, as well as chief scientist of BP, where his work focused on renewable and low-carbon energy technologies.)

Don't be deceived by the title, it's quite balanced:

We know, for instance, that during the 20th century the Earth's global average surface temperature rose 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit.

Nor is the crucial question whether humans are influencing the climate. That is no hoax: There is little doubt in the scientific community that continually growing amounts of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, due largely to carbon-dioxide emissions from the conventional use of fossil fuels, are influencing the climate.

Rather, the crucial, unsettled scientific question for policy is, "How will the climate change over the next century under both natural and human influences?" ...
But—here's the catch—those questions are the hardest ones to answer. They challenge, in a fundamental way, what science can tell us about future climates.

... rigidly promulgating the idea that climate science is "settled" (or is a "hoax") demeans and chills the scientific enterprise, retarding its progress in these important matters.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/climate-science-is-not-settled-1411143565

 

[awbuzz]

Worth the time to read.

Thanks to @cyptomcat for the link.