Many scientists don't want to tell the truth about climate change. Here's why…
I've got two kids, and mornings are busy. And there are mornings when you are running behind and you leave the house knowing that your kid is probably going to be late for school.
Now, there is some potential that your car has been replaced by a faster, better car. There's some potential that you will hit no traffic on the way to school. But, these are things you've never seen happen before, so they're very unlikely, right?
But I still have to behave as if I can get my kid to school — within the limits of safety, of course. I can take the fastest route. I can try to be in the fastest lane on the highway. It's better for him to be 1 minute late, than to be 10 minutes late or an hour late.
And so the goal stays the same because you recognize that there is value in meeting that goal. And you still have to do your best to get there.
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I hear Michael Mann (and others) say that (essentially) as soon as we stop emissions, the warming will stop, and I say, “That just doesn’t make sense! It’s not the act of emitting greenhouse gases that cause warming, it’s the accumulation.” I’m afraid while they are well meaning, they are playing into the hands of those who say that there is no need for urgent action.
I suppose, given the number and gravity of threats he has received since releasing the “hockey stick” that, perhaps he has other reasons to shade the truth.