Before yesterday I had assumed that all Antarctic scientists agreed that the present global warming is caused by increased levels of C02. But then I met with one who said there is no proof of a causal relationship between them.
It seems there are some who are only convinced by mathematical proofs.
I understand from talking with other scientists that they only ever work with theories, and that theories reflect patterns found in what they find: measurements and observations.
And I read…
…There is no “proof” in science — that is a property of mathematics. In science, what matters is the balance of evidence, and theories that can explain that evidence. Where possible, scientists make predictions and design experiments to confirm, modify, or contradict their theories, and must modify these theories as new information comes in.
In the case of anthropogenic global warming, there is a theory (first conceived over 100 years ago) based on well-established laws of physics. It is consistent with mountains of observation and data, both contemporary and historical. It is supported by sophisticated, refined global climate models that can successfully reproduce the climate’s behavior over the last century.
Given the lack of any extra planet Earths and a few really large time machines, it is simply impossible to do any better than this.
GRIST – environmental news & commentary