I didn't really intend to get on my soapboxabout the issue of Anthropogenic (or, man-made) Global Warming (AGW), but when someone characterized my earlier comments as lies, it motivated me to set the record straight. Whether or not I've done that will depend on your point of view. Nevertheless, please understand that there is a significant difference between expressing an honest opinion, right or wrong, and intentionally uttering a falsehood with the purpose of deceiving.
Of course, defending my honor is a minor issue when contrast against the enormous problems now confronting mankind, but since I spoke up with my doubts about the reality of AGW, it is now my task to follow-up to ensure that no one has been misled by the false charges that have been leveled against me, since they reflect on the important question of the theory's validity.
Originally, as a long-time environmentalist, I accepted AGW as an obvious truth. Later, for various reasons I'm not going to enumerate here, I changed my mind. Let me tell you, it's an exhilarating experience to change one's mind! I recommend everyone try it sometime. Find some dogma, and give it a go. There's no sense in having an open mind unless you put it to good use.
Who knows, it may be you who changes the world.
Anyway, is quoting this portion of the Global Warming Petition a reference to expert testimony, or is it a fallacious appeal to authority?
Your call, but please at least read on and take a look at the link below.
There is no convincing scientific evidence that human release of carbon dioxide, methane, or other greenhouse gasses is causing or will, in the foreseeable future, cause catastrophic heating of the Earth's atmosphere and disruption of the Earth's climate. Moreover, there is substantial scientific evidence that increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide produce many beneficial effects upon the natural plant and animal environments of the Earth.
According to information at the Global Warming Petition Project, this petition has been signed by more than 31,000 American scientists, including over 9,000 with PhDs, a/o the date of this post.
I'd heard about this petition some time ago, but I'm just reading it today for the first time. As noted above, I'd already jumped off the AGW bandwagon.
S