The global warming debate: science and scientists in a democracy

As the author of two recent SKEPTICAL INQUIRER articles on global warming and climate change, I would like to offer some concluding thoughts on this topic, which enjoys an emerging consensus among an overwhelming majority of researchers working in the field but remains controversial among some in th...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Skeptical inquirer 2007-11, Vol.31 (6), p.63
Main Author: Jordan, Stuart D
Format: Magazinearticle
Language:English
Subjects:
Democracy
Economic aspects
Environment
Environmental research
Global warming
Political aspects
Scientists
Studies
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:As the author of two recent SKEPTICAL INQUIRER articles on global warming and climate change, I would like to offer some concluding thoughts on this topic, which enjoys an emerging consensus among an overwhelming majority of researchers working in the field but remains controversial among some in the general public. Because the issue deals with future activities of important sectors of the American economy, it is not surprising that the magazine has received an unusually large number of responses to it. My two articles ("Global Climate Change Triggered by Global Warming," Parts 1 and 2, May/June and July/ August 2007) speak for themselves, as do the follow-up comments of the critics and the supporters (September/ October 2007). Since my response to the critics appears in that issue as well, I will not review that dialogue again. However, the exchange did raise important questions about the role of science (and of scientists) in a democracy, and it is this topic I wish to address here.
ISSN:0194-6730