Scientists
Scientists are usually an invisible bunch. They're normally content to go about their research, publish their findings and then let others take over: our leaders, armed with the best available knowledge, take right action, and so on. If only it were so.
In this age in which scientific knowledge has become so politicized -- think stem cells, or global warming -- common sense, let alone scientific evidence, is not enough. Courage has become a primary job qualification for any scientist who wants to do his or her work, maintain professional pride and tell the unvarnished truth.
Case in point: James Hansen, a climate scientist in the life-long employ of the federal government. He had given Congress warning about global warming way back in the 1980s. In recent years though, the White House tried to shut him up. It only made him more prominent, his voice more important.
His main message? We've got only 10 years to act on global warming, or face tipping points, uncontrollable planetary consequences, and certain catastrophe. Those are what the facts say, and he's not the only scientist who has reached that conclusion. He's expressing the dominant scientific view, and calling for immediate action.
The Nobel Prize for 2000+ Climate Scientists
Al Gore got 1/2 the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007. Let's not forget with whom he shared it: the IPCC - the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
It is the largest and most complex scientific collaboration in the history of the world involving more than 2000 climate scientists from every country on the earth. They have arrived at a consensus opinion about global warming. In a nutshell: man is causing it, we need to act fast to stop it. That is what the best science on earth is telling us.
In round numbers, it means we have to reduce global CO2 emissions 2% every year from now on, so that by 2050, we'll arrive at an aggregate reduction of 80% (2% a year for the next 40 years.)
The science behind global warming is settled. You can examine the latest IPCC report yourself by clicking here.
What is strange is that even though the science is settled in the scientific community, confusion still reigns in the media and among ordinary people. The confusion is the result of the hard work of a global warming denial industry funded by Exxon over the course of the past decade. Read more here and the Newsweek cover story on the subject, here.
In addition to IPCC, if you want to look at what scientists are saying, there's more at:
NASA - Goddard Institute for Space Studies
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
The US National Academy of Sciences (NAS)
The Met Office Hadley Centre (the UK’s official centre for climate change research)
