Letters to the Editor

This letter is associated with the following article:
Global warming doesn't faze the infamous author, who argues that polar bears are doing fine and Al Gore is way too hot under the collar. But can the "skeptical environmentalist" back up his rosy views?
  • Not a scientist

    I find it interest that Lomberg is being called "scientist." He isn't. His PhD is in Political Science which last a look was a humanity. The difference in the approaches taught in a hard science and a social science are vast. Social sciences aren't really science per se because they don't really use the scientific method. This is clearly demonstrated through out the article but was especially telling the polar bear discussion. Here's a response to the writer quoting one expert's opinion (a frontline researcher in polar bears).

    "OK. But I've talked to a different expert that's up in Greenland, who works for the Danish government, and he has looked over my chapter, and said that it's OK."

    Social sciences often play this sort semantic games of this authority said this or this authority said that. Quoting another expert is supposed to counter the point but he never makes a commitment on which has the better data and the better hypothesis which is a fundamental step in science. This of course will be tested in the next twenty years so we will know . Of course if Ian Sterling is right we won't have more any more polar bears so I guess the point will be moot.