"Scientific opinion?"

Published 17 Feb 2010 10:29 0 Comments

AS regards George Black's comments on climate change (An Independent Voice) I do not think there is such a thing as "scientific opinion".

Either you have material evidence, proof or science, or you do not.

If you do not, that is an opinion or thought which expresses the immaterial side of the truth.

Moreover, scientific method incorporates an adversarial element.

Scientists do not just test hypotheses.

They test the null hypotheses as well.

Hence the idea that science may be contested, challenged or denied is not foreign to science or distinct.

Indeed, Susan Solomon, who co-chaired the 2007 intergovernmental panel on climate change report, has just published new research on the role of stratospheric water vapour.

Although, global temperatures based on all of the temperatures taken on the ground or locally this last decade have been the highest on record and the upwards trend or rate of increase in temperature has slowed.

Ten miles up, a 10 per cent drop in the amount of water vapour may have had a cooling effect over the last 10 years. Whether that is natural or due to human interference or greenhouse gas emissions remains under investigation.

It is well documented the ruling class has externalised the environmental costs of its activities.

Just like they did with the banks, the responsibility and the costs to rectify environmental damage are treated 'off-book' and transferred to the public.

You only have to look at the state of the River Leven to see that.

However, Lord Stern has since estimated what those costs are with respect to climate change.

The response of the ruling class has been entirely predictable.

Disown the liabilities by firstly inventing new ways to trade-off and transfer the costs and profit from climate change or, failing that, deny the existence of climate change and undermine the science and the legitimacy of those in government who believe it.

You do not need fancy conspiracy theories to know how capitalism works, George.

James Graham, address supplied

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This letter appeared in Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Reporter 16 Feb 10

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