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Science and Skepticism: Climate Change Term Paper
Pages:6 (1884 words)
Sources:5
Subject:Science
Topic:Earth Science
Document Type:Term Paper
Document:#1092500
He even goes so far as to claim that if global warming does occur, it will be a positive thing. Higher temperatures would be positive for agriculture and forests. He believes that higher temperatures will actually cause sea levels to drop, and wraps up his interview with the cheery optimism that everyone appreciates warmer weather.
Wigley isn't quite as upbeat. He points out that because uncertainty is a built in component of the climate models, it is just as likely that the scientists have erred on the side of caution as it is that they have erred on the side of excess. This means that the effects of global warming could be much worse than what the models predict. His overall concern:
I]t's not so much just the temperature changes, but it's the changes in all other aspects of the environment: amounts of precipitation, the ability for vegetation to maintain its status quo, the amount of waters that's available for agriculture and for water resources, and so on. (Wigley)
In the final analysis, the division between these two scientists is extreme. but, as should be apparent from this discussion, the position that Wigley takes is much more rational and informed by the available data than is Singer's. Singer is content to simply repeatedly point out that the models being used are not accurate enough, even as evidence mounts that the models are correct. Besides, he argues, even if climate change is occurring it will certainly be a good thing for civilization. Skepticism is an important part of the scientific process, but Wigley's position is not one of absolutes; it is his part to report the available evidence and explain how the existing models can account for that evidence. Based on the interviews analyzed, this is a much more rational and reasonable position that affords Wigley the edge in this analysis.
Works Cited
Bailey, Ronald. "Why Meaning?" Reason (Apr. 2004): 10-12.
First Test of Predictions of Climate Change Impacts on Biodiversity." Space Daily (15 July 2005): NA. General OneFile. Gale. 27 Nov. 2007 http://find.galegroup.com.
New Observations Confirm Recent Warming of the Tropical Atmosphere." Space Daily (15 Aug. 2005): NA. General OneFile. Gale. 27 Nov. 2007. http://find.galegroup.com.
Singer, S. Fred. Interview. What's Up with the Weather?.…
Sample Source(s) Used
Works Cited
Bailey, Ronald. "Why Meaning?" Reason (Apr. 2004): 10-12.
First Test of Predictions of Climate Change Impacts on Biodiversity." Space Daily (15 July 2005): NA. General OneFile. Gale. 27 Nov. 2007 http://find.galegroup.com.
New Observations Confirm Recent Warming of the Tropical Atmosphere." Space Daily (15 Aug. 2005): NA. General OneFile. Gale. 27 Nov. 2007. http://find.galegroup.com.
Singer, S. Fred. Interview. What's Up with the Weather?. PBS. Apr. 2000.
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