Since Mooney is off writing a book about hurricanes, I thought I would point your attention to a nice article in Slate on the continuing controversy over whether or not global warming is making hurricanes worse. It's worth noting that this is a genuine scientific controversy - each side has valid empirical claims - and not one manufactured by an Exxon-Mobil think tank.
The hurricane-warming link isn't settled at all. Rather, it's a very contentious debate between two groups of scientists--computer-modeling atmospheric scientists versus meteorologists--who have very different methods, ideas, and priorities. The debate has been raging for months, with attacks and counterattacks--albeit very polite ones--appearing regularly in top scientific journals. Because the issue has massive policy implications and the particulars are difficult to understand and explain, the competing groups have also resorted to dueling press releases and other forms of media outreach. Their disagreement over hurricanes isn't just an academic dispute, but a conflict that has very real consequences for how America addresses climate change.
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So we've settled it then? It snowed here yesterday, and it's crazy cold, but global warming is happening? ok. Got it.
So we've settled it then? It snowed here yesterday, and it's crazy cold, but global warming is happening? ok. Got it.
So we have yet another individual who is unclear on the distinctions between "global" vs. "local" and "weather" vs. "climate".
I know! People are just so stupid. I just got my test results back and I got an F, but the stupid teacher's telling me our grade's average scores have gone UP compared to last year! How could both those things possibly be true???
Just a minor quibble with the article. It is not the scientists who put out the press releases, most likely, it is the Universities' PR offices. They will put out PR notices for anything that might get in the headlines. The purpose is not to advance any particular theory. Rather, it is to increase the prestige of the University. The idea is to generate more donations.
Using CO2 to control hurricane incidence would be impractical, even if a connection were agreed upon. There are other, much better approaches to reduce hurricane impacts. The significance of this socially is as a framing device.