Unfortunately, denialism is less about refuting the science than creating the perception of
uncertainty in the science in order to manipulate public perception.
One of the biggest pieces of
uncertainty in science always revolves around funding — at any given time we are either applying for, waiting for, or feeling depressed / elated about the outcome of a given funding round.
In 2003, Judith Curry, a climate researcher at the Georgia Institute of Technology, wrote the following passage in a submission to a federal effort aimed at charting how to reduce
uncertainties in the science pointing to a growing human influence on climate:
As best we know, the global carbon budget for this century is between 1,320 and 2,200 gigatons (There are too
many uncertainties in the science to be more precise than that.)
The article and posted documents show how carefully Exxon's corporate and legal side, more than manufacturing doubt, exploited the
real uncertainty in the science to frame an argument against moving to stronger instruments than the non-binding 1992 climate treaty:
Meanwhile, the good news (if further research bears it out) that the world's warming has been slowed, at least for a few years, needs to be leavened with the realisation, yet again, that there are
significant uncertainties in science's understanding of the climate — and thus unquantifiable risks ahead.
Facts about a debate that's turned up more questions than answers,» includes a statement by then Exxon CEO Lee Raymond trumping up
uncertainty in the science behind global warming as well as the cost of a carbon - restricted market.
Interesting strategy by Mr. Mann: first producing publications, achieving notoriety, obtaining funding, getting tenured professor position, and the last is the admission that there is
large uncertainty in his science.
The states and industry groups had asked the appeals court to overturn the Endangerment Finding based on a host of arguments ranging from «there's too
much uncertainty in the science» to «the EPA abused its authority» to «the EPA misread the Clean Air Act.»
On learning of the White House revisions, representatives of some environmental groups said the effort to
amplify uncertainties in the science was clearly intended to delay consideration of curbs on the gases, which remain an unavoidable byproduct of burning oil and coal.
Efforts by the Bush administration to highlight
uncertainties in science pointing to human - caused warming have put the United States at odds with other nations and with scientific groups at home.
There are
many uncertainties in the science and the occasional finding that pokes holes in details, but claims that warming stopped in year X, there is an ice age imminent, etc. are given undue prominence when there is no real evidence for this sort of position, just as there is no real evidence that tobacco isn't a health hazard, or HIV doesn't cause AIDS.
The biggest bludgeon the skeptics have is that there is
uncertainty in the science.
The uncertainty in the science makes it difficult for policy - makers to see how much investment is justified, and what kind, says van Scheltinga.
«
Uncertainty in science is a form of knowledge.
Despite
the uncertainty in the science, hurricanes quickly became a potent icon in environmental campaigns, as well as in «An Inconvenient Truth,» the popular climate documentary featuring former Vice President Al Gore.
But
the uncertainties in the science of climate impacts — and they are legion — make the future more perilous, not less.