Check out this excellent article at Salon, Global Warming Deniers. It made excellent points on why consensus on Global Warming is irrelevant, why Fred Thompson is an irrational sun-worshipper, and why the IPCC is actually conservative in its climate predictions. Here are some key quotes:
“One of the most serious results of the overuse of the term
“consensus” in the public discussion of global warming is that it
creates a simple strategy for doubters to confuse the public, the press
and politicians: Simply come up with as long a list as you can of
scientists who dispute the theory. After all, such disagreement is
prima facie proof that no consensus of opinion exists.”
…
"Why are recent observations on the high side of model projections?
First, as noted, most climate models used by the IPCC omit key
amplifying feedbacks in the carbon cycle. Second, it was widely thought
that increased human carbon dioxide emissions would be partly offset by
more trees and other vegetation. But increases in droughts and
wildfires — both predicted by global warming theory — seem to have
negated that. Third, the ocean — one of the largest sinks for carbon
dioxide — seems to be saturating decades earlier than the models had
projected." [read more]
Yep. The IPCC is conservative! That’s exactly what the book The Hot Topic said about the IPCC. Good stuff.
Thanks to Ottmar for the heads up!
P.S. Serendipitously, this Salon article backs up what Al Gore said (i.e. amplifying feedbacks) more than a year ago in his interview with Charlie Rose.