Climate Science - it is not a religion

Vicki Lytle in LJWorld Blogs (Lawrence, Kansas): …I have done research on climate change,for over 30 years. I am repeatedly asked ‘do you believe in climate change’?...Climate change is not a religion. It is a science. There are a lot of things we know about climate change, and there is a lot we still do not know. But, just because we have not solved everything does not mean the rest of it should be ignored. Would you refuse to ‘believe in’ a treatment for cancer because it only cures 80% of the patients, and the doctor couldn’t explain every tiny detail?

…The science of climate is relatively new. Few schools include climate science in their curriculum, virtually no teachers have formal training in the subject. The issue was hardly visible in the recent election. Yet, climate change, sea level rise, increased hurricanes and storms may be the most important issues facing future generations. We will probably get through the financial crisis, and we may even be able to improve our health care system, but the solution to climate change seems much farther off. We need to get past simplistic beliefs and try to understand the science before we can make good choices. Everyone needs to participate in the discussion –from politicians, lawyers and energy companies to farmers, teachers and even Joe the Plumber.

You could claim that this discussion is merely academic, what can we do anyway? Yet decisions on public money are being made now that will impact our ability to understand (and cope with) climate change…. Climate change will touch everyone for generations to come. The best decisions, whether to launch satellites, or buy an ice strengthened fishing boat require all the information, even if it is not perfect. It is time to stop the simple 'belief' argument and start learning the facts….

The ars magna, "the ultimate general art," from the work of Raymond Lully (1232-1315)