James Hansen’s Former NASA Supervisor Declares Himself a Skeptic

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In summary, the conversation revolves around the topic of AGW (anthropogenic global warming) and the validity of scientific consensus on the issue. The original post discusses the increasing number of scientists who are dissenting from the AGW theory, while others argue that their opinions should not hold as much weight as those of experts in the field. Various factors such as bias, qualifications, and funding are brought up as potential influences on the scientists' stances. Ultimately, the conversation highlights the importance of examining evidence and expertise in evaluating the validity of scientific theories.
  • #36
LowlyPion said:
Unfortunately there is no criteria for voting. And who's counting the votes anyway? Norm Coleman?

The whole idea of votes is itself silly.

It's where is the preponderance of the science? And while I think not all of the evidence is compelling there is certainly reason for consideration of the fossil record and further study given the blossoming population and demands for energy and its consequences.

I believe that is where the debate is, the preponderance is not there. The conclusions are not "conclusive". Otherwise there would be little debate on the subject.
 
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  • #37
Before the thread was pulled off topic, it was about more scientists coming out on the skeptic side of the AGW debate.
 
  • #38
LowlyPion said:
Except of course that the issue is highly politicized as evidenced by the initial citation of this thread from the Republican Minority view dramatizing someone's opinion who once - more than 15 years ago - laid claim to be Hansen's supervisor even though he had no authority to actually review Hansen's performance.

He didn't review his performance but, more importantly, he , "...had to justify his funding, allocate his resources, and evaluate his results..." Theon was the Chief of the Climate Processes Research Program at NASA Headquarters and former Chief of the Atmospheric Dynamics & Radiation Branch. A man at that level should have something to say about one of his underlings' embarrassing activities.
 
  • #39
Evo said:
Before the thread was pulled off topic, it was about more scientists coming out on the skeptic side of the AGW debate.

And even that is hard to find out, may be some one could dig some upto date figures out, i sure can not find any, who is to know if any list is comprehensive there may be many more for all we know, even so, how in all this mess could we know if a scientist has political motives for expressing an opinion one way or the other.
 
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  • #40
wolram said:
And even that is hard to find out, may be some one could dig some upto date figures out, i sure can not find any, who is to know if any list is comprehensive there may be many more for all we know, even so, how in all this mess could we know if a scientist has political motives for expressing an opinion one way or the other.

Much rests on the reputation of those named on both sides, IMO.
 
  • #41
Ivan Seeking said:
I would say that 650 scientists amount to nothing more than a fringe element.

I can probably find 650 scientists who think ET is visiting us as well.

650? The IPCC Physical Science Basis paper has more coauthors than that.
Front Matter said:
The chapters forming the bulk of this report describe scientists’
assessment of the state-of-knowledge in their respective fields. They
were written by 152 coordinating lead authors and lead authors from
over 30 countries and reviewed by over 600 experts. A large number of
government reviewers also contributed review comments.

http://www.ipcc.ch/ipccreports/ar4-wg1.htm
 
  • #42
Maybe a look at consensus in science. What I have read and understand is those words only belong together when speaking of fringe groups and not science. The theory of science is to be a sceptic trying to prove or disprove a theory. The more sceptics, the more research the better the theory unless it fails due to the inherent weaknesses such as those that plague the AGW theory.
I will not attack either man as the actions and words of those on both sides are available for all to judge and history will judge by future actions.
 
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  • #43
signerror said:
650? The IPCC Physical Science Basis paper has more coauthors than that.


http://www.ipcc.ch/ipccreports/ar4-wg1.htm
If you look at the actual numbers, we're talking a literal handful of scientists. The IPCC was sued under the Freedom of Information Act and forced to release the WG 1 report that it withheld from the public. They then quickly hid the report moving it here http://pds.lib.harvard.edu/pds/view/7794905?n=2&imagesize=1200&jp2Res=.25

It’s an assertion repeated by politicians and climate campaigners the world over – ‘2,500 scientists of the United Nation’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) agree that humans are causing a climate crisis’.

But it’s not true. And, for the first time ever, the public can now see the extent to which they have been misled. As lies go, it’s a whopper. Here’s the real situation.

There is, of course serious debate among scientists about the actual technical content of the roughly 1,000-page WG I report, especially its politically motivated Summary for Policymakers which is often the only part read by politicians and non-scientists. The technical content can be difficult for non-scientists to follow and so most people simply assume that if that large numbers of scientists agree, they must be right.

Consensus never proves the truth of a scientific claim, but is somehow widely believed to do so for the IPCC reports, so we need to ask how many scientists really did agree with the most important IPCC conclusion, namely that humans are causing significant climate change--in other words the key parts of WG I?

The numbers of scientist reviewers involved in WG I is actually less than a quarter of the whole, a little over 600 in total. The other 1,900 reviewers assessed the other working group reports. They had nothing to say about the causes of climate change or its future trajectory. Still, 600 “scientific expert reviewers” sounds pretty impressive. After all, they submitted their comments to the IPCC editors who assure us that “all substantive government and expert review comments received appropriate consideration.” And since these experts reviewers are all listed in Annex III of the report, they must have endorsed it, right?

Wrong.

For the first time ever, the UN has released on the Web the comments of reviewers who assessed the drafts of the WG I report and the IPCC editors’ responses. This release was almost certainly a result of intense pressure applied by “hockey-stick” co-debunker Steve McIntyre of Toronto and his allies. Unlike the other IPCC working groups, WG I is based in the U.S. and McIntyre had used the robust Freedom of Information legislation to request certain details when the full comments were released.

An examination of reviewers’ comments on the last draft of the WG I report before final report assembly (i.e. the ‘Second Order Revision’ or SOR) completely debunks the illusion of hundreds of experts diligently poring over all the chapters of the report and providing extensive feedback to the editing teams. Here’s the reality.

A total of 308 reviewers commented on the SOR, but only 32 reviewers commented on more than three chapters and only five reviewers commented on all 11 chapters of the report. Only about half the reviewers commented more than one chapter. It is logical that reviewers would generally limit their comments to their areas of expertise but it’s a far cry from the idea of thousands of scientists agreeing to anything.
http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/968
 
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  • #45
Wow, Evo!

So, the 650 scientists that reject the IPCC's conclusions are more than those that may officially endorse it. No matter how many reviewed and commented, the information that made up the report was chosen by the IPCC. Which may or may not reflect the conclusion or professional opinions of the majority that reviewed their respective pieces of pie.

How can this be considered a consensus?
 
  • #48
And, to warm to the subject. Whatever one's personal political beliefs, most of us have science backgrounds/education and ought to know how to check facts. Look at the list of dissenting scientists. Who are they? What journals in climatology, fluid mechanics, or applied mechanics have they edited? What seminal papers have they published? To wit, one of the "prominent" US scientists mentioned is David Wojick. He has degrees in civil engineering and philosophy of science. His opinion is germane how?

Everybody gets to have their own opinion, but not their own facts. (stole that from Pat Moynihan).
 
  • #49
TVP45 said:
The magic word on there is "Inhofe". This is his blog. Asking Inhofe about climate change is akin to asking Madalyn Murray O'Hair about the Pope.
But this isn't Inhofe's opinions, is it?

And when the non-climate scientists are proven to be right and the "climate scientists" are proven wrong, do you take the wrong information over the correct information?
 
  • #50
TVP45:
Nothing personal but you might want to look closer at the supporters of AGW/ACC/CAGW. What the backgrounds are might shine some light. An Economist is head of IPCC panel. The science was not released until it matched the policy guide. This has all been about showing proof not envestigating causes. Cause was determined first. And people call it science?
 
  • #51
Ivan Seeking said:
Excuse me, you said relative size. How many scientists work in related fields? I would say that AGW is a much broader subject.

Weird. I swore that there were less climatologists than biologists. :-p
 
  • #52
Mike Davis said:
The more sceptics, the more research the better the theory unless it fails due to the inherent weaknesses such as those that plague the AGW theory.
I will not attack either man as the actions and words of those on both sides are available for all to judge and history will judge by future actions.

What holes? You look to have brought your own baggage.

I see nothing that definitely disproves the general concerns about AGW trends. Looks to me like you're picking a side just as unfailingly as you are accusing the IPCC of having picked one.

I think it's certainly a good idea to challenge all of the data and to reassess as more data is collected.

But let's face it. This entry at the Republican Minority site is not news. And not news of any particular merit. And not particularly timely.

I think real meaningful news would be if Steven Chu or John Holdren were skeptical of AGW claims. Not some milquetoast warm as spit email from a 15 years retired administrator that got seized upon by Republican Wing nuts to exploit their political refusal to accept anything to do with AGW.
 
  • #53
chemisttree said:
He didn't review his performance but, more importantly, he , "...had to justify his funding, allocate his resources, and evaluate his results..." Theon was the Chief of the Climate Processes Research Program at NASA Headquarters and former Chief of the Atmospheric Dynamics & Radiation Branch. A man at that level should have something to say about one of his underlings' embarrassing activities.

That's grasping I think. There are hacks at all levels. The man was an administrator at that point in his career.

And why is it news now? Where was it he was speaking out on the subject 15 years ago? If he is so convinced where was he 15 years ago on not funding Hansen when he allegedly had authority not to do so? If he was so embarrassed.

The real problem here is this Republican Minority cherry-picking and inflating self generated hype, trying to whip this up as anything meaningful at all.
 
  • #54
Wouldn't it be an idea just to look at the scientific ideas instead of the mud throwing? After all,

"Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people." -
-- Eleanor Roosevelt
 
  • #55
Unfortunately I think the science of it looks to have been lost in the initial article which was put up on the Republican Minority site. The premise of the article and its posting here from the beginning seems somehow to want to discredit Hansen because an administrator 15 years ago now says he is embarrassed. The science of it seems not to be their concern.
 
  • #56
LowlyPion said:
Unfortunately I think the science of it looks to have been lost in the initial article which was put up on the Republican Minority site. The premise of the article and its posting here from the beginning seems somehow to want to discredit Hansen because an administrator 15 years ago now says he is embarrassed. The science of it seems not to be their concern.

Your continual political bias makes any of your posts suspect. I hope I'm not the first one to point this out. You somehow tie everything contrary to your opinion to those wretched Republicans. I think you have a point most of the time but as soon as you throw in Bush, Cheney, Palin, or the Republican party in general your comments begin to lose credence. No offense but just because something is condoned by the "other" party, that in itself does not make it without substance.
 
  • #57
One should make, I think, a distinction between being a skeptic of some of the quality of the science done, or the reasoning towards, the AGW claims, and the actual phenomenon.

If you say (like I do) that there are problems with the way certain conclusions of the AGW proponents are arrived at, then you belong to the first category. If you go about and claim that there is no such thing as an AGW phenomenon, you belong to the second one.

I can surely make a case for the first - I would have much more difficulty making a case for the second.

Just to mention - to me - the most obvious difficulty with an AGW claim, is the formulation of the probability distribution of the temperature rise at CO2 doubling, which is, if I remember well, 90% between 1.5K and 6K. Well, I surely contest the way that conclusion is arrived at. However, that doesn't mean that such a rise is not possible.

The essence of the error, IMO, is the following: one makes the implicit assumption that the computer models are unbiased, contain all the essential physics, and have correct error models. If you read the 4th AR of the IPCC, people arrived at those probability distributions by taking computer simulations in which there was (at least one) free parameter, the so-called "climate sensitivity". It gives you the rise of the temperature associated with a radiative forcing of 1 W per square meter.

This quantity is extremely difficult to establish, as it must take into account all kinds of feedbacks. So, *as one cannot calculate this number from first principles* one leaves it in
as a free parameter. The model contains certain physical phenomena, and other things which are modeled. Maybe it contains all of the essential physics, but maybe it doesn't.

Then, one runs this model on "calibration data", like paleo proxies, and the historical temperature record. Of course, the outcome of those runs will be dependent on the choice of the sensitivity parameter, the results of the calculation will not correspond exactly to the measurement results (because there are random variations, and measurement noise and all that). But from this fit, one can derive a "likelyhood distribution" of the parameter(s).

That is, for each value of the parameter, one calculates how likely it is (given the probability distributions of the noise, of the measurement errors etc...) that the actual data are generated by the model. So for each parameter value, one has the probability that the outcome is, by coincidence, equal to the actual data.

The "better" the parameter, the higher this probability of course, and the parameter value that corresponds to the highest probability is called the Maximum Likelyhood Estimator of the parameter.

Now, if you consider the parameter itself to have a (Bayesian) probability distribution, then one can show that:
1) if the model is unbiased and correct
2) if the probability model of the errors on the data is correct

that the normalized distribution above is also the Bayesian probability distribution of the parameter value. If that parameter value represents a physical quantity, then the thus calculated distribution is the correct probability distribution of that quantity (Bayesian: it represents the correct knowledge of the value of that parameter).

It is in fact nothing else but Bayes' theorem.

So from such an estimation, one has calculated the Bayesian probability distributions of the sensitivity to radiative forcing - and as one is relatively sure about the radiative forcing of a CO2 doubling (MODTRAN and the like), one can hence use the model again, with the given parameter and its distribution, to calculate the probability distributions of the resulting temperature rise for CO2 doubling, from the Bayesian probability distribution of the sensitivity parameter, and the probability distributions generated by the model.

That's what's done (if I didn't misunderstand the IPCC report).

So these give these famous 1.5K to 6K with 90% probability.

However, one has forgotten the premise of the theorem: one has to have *the correct model* and *the correct probability distributions of all the errors*, in order for this to work out.

It means that if a physical effect is not taken into account, or a simplification is made somewhere, or an erroneous probability model is given for the noise on the data (as well the calibration data - the proxies! - as the actual random variability in the workings of the model), that the calculation doesn't work. In fact, relatively small errors in the model (called bias) can result in relatively strong errors in the probability distribution of the parameters.

I don't think that one can claim at this point that the climate models are at that level of confidence, without the slightest bit of doubt.

That is why I put a big question mark against that specific prediction.
If one would have stated:
"in as much as the climate models describe the climate dynamics correctly, in an unbiased way, and with correct probability models, one can conclude that the distribution of the predicted temperature increase has 90% in the 1.5 - 6.0 K interval" that would have been scientifically correct.

Stating only that : "the distribution of the predicted temperature increase has 90% in the 1.5 - 6.0 K interval" leaves out an important qualifier IMO.
 
  • #58
As I was speaking of weaknesses not nessecerly holes and you feel that means holes we can discuss those.
The weaknes of relying on models trained on unverified historical data to project future events. The theory of seeing a trend while realizing that there are cycles involved in climate (unless so called experts are blind to cycles that are obvious to the unwashed like myself). I think I read that those cycles are considered noise. When there is a slight down trend it is maskig. when there is a slight up trend it is proof. Does that sound logical?
This brings up Paleo evidence. I suppose you can claim a consensus regarding the current papers used by IPCC to prove historical climate. If that is so why are people still searching and finding conflicting data? If the answer is found the search should be over. I think that the people searchig should continue but not demand action until the issues are a little better understood. By the way they should also consider more reliable advocates on both sides due to foot in mouth syndrome that is evident.
 
  • #59
Mike Davis said:
...
This brings up Paleo evidence. I suppose you can claim a consensus regarding the current papers used by IPCC to prove historical climate. If that is so why are people still searching and finding conflicting data? If the answer is found the search should be over. I think that the people searchig should continue but not demand action until the issues are a little better understood. By the way they should also consider more reliable advocates on both sides due to foot in mouth syndrome that is evident.

Read the Earth forums threads, when zooming in on the paleo climate of Neogene, you find nothing but contradictions. Actually there seem to be two paleo climate worlds, the zoological records versus the isotope records and never the twain shall meet.
 
  • #60
drankin said:
I think you have a point most of the time but as soon as you throw in Bush, Cheney, Palin, or the Republican party in general your comments begin to lose credence. No offense but just because something is condoned by the "other" party, that in itself does not make it without substance.

It's not my concern if you want to reflexively accept the politically motivated cherry picked propaganda churned out by the Republican Minority site at the Senate. Just don't purport that the puff piece about Hansen's supervisor's skepticism as indicating anything, but that the Republicans are trying to propagandize their position, and are offering no substantive science, other than attacking some bogus vague notion of consensus. It was just another opportunity for them to bump again their claim that they have 650 names - as if that really means that it changes the science.

Whoever posted the article as news is the one trying to pass off ideological propaganda as though it were scientifically relevant.

My point is that it is not.
 
  • #61
Andre:
Thanks for popping in. Reading your review of the Younger Dryas helped me to understand. Iwas referring to not only that but also the currnet era or the recent 6ky to 10ky to present. I may not get the language correct. but hope to be able to express the doubts.
 
  • #62
Andre said:
well The IPCC was

The bold part may suggest that the conclusions were already clear before the research was done

No it doesn't seeing as they spent much of their early history denying man made contributions played a part. What you have there is just a speculative assessment, or your opinion. Climate change was a reality, but at that time their was far from a consensus on what was causing it. Eventually enough evidence came to light to make them shift their position from denying AGW was a concern to accepting that there was a real man made contribution.

seycyrus said:
First off, I'm not going to list my sources.

They were anti-GW until the early 90's!? Did the data from the last 10,000 years change all of a sudden then? Yes, I think that funding linked to political agendas could very well have something to do with their change in stance.

And yet I presume your sources are often funded by groups with an ulterior motive. Do you think though that all scientists working on this are deliberately shady, or that they have no conscience and are arguing despite the evidence for or against? We have to assume the evidence is although speculative at least meriting of concern, and we have to accept that some of the nay sayers are just as right and justified in bringing out concerns. The trouble is it's a wheat from the chaff deal.

I think I made it clear that this forum was not the sole source of my information.

The moderators on this site do a good job on insisting that arguments stated are supported and referenced. Especially when it come to GW, imho.

Good I still don't see how anyone can have made their mind up either way given the evidence we have atm, it's highly speculative and subject to revision. I know scientists haven't absolutely despite what you might read.

No, then we would have the current global warming argument situation.

Like I said before argument is healthy for science, it just behoves us to look at where the arguments are coming from and their motivations.
 
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  • #63
I was taught and learned through personal past experience that the future depended on science as science was concerened with facts and theories. The politics was not considered unless it was an unbiased reaserch of the theories behind this phenomena. Science was considered the unbiased search for cause and effect. A search of historical events and theories of future events.
I guess that has all changed. There are those that are still searching but the sad issue is the appearence of personality issues displayed by some are over riding the science involved.
This piece we are discussing is as much news as any other gosip piece put out about anyone in public life. The more visable one makes theirself and the more eeratic the comments the more attention they bring to their past and current life. It is visable all around. It is possible the mentioned person may have been the cause for the interest.
 
  • #65
The Dagda said:
No it doesn't seeing as they spent much of their early history denying man made contributions played a part. What you have there is just a speculative assessment, or your opinion. Climate change was a reality, but at that time their was far from a consensus on what was causing it. Eventually enough evidence came to light to make them shift their position from denying AGW was a concern to accepting that there was a real man made contribution.



I think you may need to take a closer look at history of IPCC. And why it was formed. Looking back to this persons testemony regarding climate change is a good start.
But you will probably still believe as fits.
 
  • #66
1988 - The establishment of the IPCC
At its 40th Session in 1988 the WMO Executive Council decided on the establishment of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The UNEP Governing Council authorized UNEP’s support for IPCC. It was suggested that the Panel should consider the need for:
(a) Identification of uncertainties and gaps in our present knowledge with regard to climate changes and its potential impacts, and preparation of a plan of action over the short- term in filling these gaps;
(b) Identification of information needed to evaluate policy implications of climate change and response strategies;
(c) Review of current and planned national/international policies related to the greenhouse gas issue;
(d) Scientific and environmental assessments of all aspects of the greenhouse gas issue and the transfer of these assessments and other relevant information to governments and intergovernmental organisations to be taken into account in their policies on social and economic development and environmental programmes.

Seeing as the IPCC does no science of it's own and is made up of scientists from across the globe I think you need to ask whether there was a consensus amongst them in 1988, but there we go, some people have an agenda to suggest that these scientists and the organisation they represent are all in on some global conspiracy. So tell me, just what was the scientific consensus in 1988?
 
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  • #67
Project Scientist, IPCC Working Group II Technical Support
https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=288420

:biggrin:
 

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