Dear Editor:
RE: Decide for yourself, March 28.
I’m glad that Henry Brunsveld put the challenge out to people to read the extensive literature that is available on climate change and “decide for yourself.”
I, for one, have been following the development of the science related to climate change for a number of years, and while I’m by no means an expert in the field, I know enough about scientific research to understand the process that’s been used and the results that follow from that work.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was established in the late ‘80s and was tasked with providing to governments and civil society, an objective, scientific view of climate change.
The number of experts that participate in or contribute to the process of preparing periodic reports on this topic number in the thousands. Their work undergoes a rigorous and extensive peer review. All this information is publicly available, including input, feedback and dissenting opinions.
This process goes above and beyond that used in the lead-up to the publication of a paper in a scientific journal. Reports prepared by the IPCC also include an estimate of the degree of confidence associated with each finding.
Thus, readers are able to arrive at an informed opinion on climate science and the strength of the information being presented.
So, should I believe the findings of experts who have been contributing to the understanding of climate change for 30 years and who have followed a rigorous process to arrive at their findings or should I believe a guy who wrote a book?
To me the answer is clear: climate change is real, it’s happening and governments are not doing nearly enough to combat the problem.
It is important to keep in mind there will always be detractors and naysayers, no matter what the issue.
For example, 2,000 years ago, Aristotle determined that the earth is round. Yet the Flat Earth Society still exists today and is taking on new members.
People would be wise to heed Brunsveld’s advice; read up on this subject and decide for yourself – your grandchildrens’ future depends on it.
Victor Shantora,
Elora