You asked the question, “How many of you, however, have studied or understood the data underpinning these beliefs?” I think you should also ask yourself this question. Do read the following web link which may give you a better understanding of the “hockey stick” - http://www.realclimate.org/index.php?p=11

In my view, it is not the pursuit of truth that is art but rather the perception of truth that is art. Our perception of truth are often clouded by our own beliefs and the views of others especially popular media.

Regards
Eugene

Thanks for your note and the link.

I’m certainly not a climatologist, nor an expert by any means on the issue of global warming.

As many people in the climatology and scientific communities who support the belief that global warming is a primarily human-induced phenomenon, there are many more who eloquently argue that it is a naturally occuring phenemonon.

Assuming that the earth is warming, it’s a still a large leap to conclude definitively that it’s due soley or primarily to human causes.

Don’t take me wrong…I’m not belittling the issue. I’m pointing out precisely what you’ve stated, that our perception of the truth is often clouded by our own pre-conceived notions.

The global warming debate — on both sides — is no exception.

And perhaps to extrapolate further beyond this issue, there are other issues which seem so clouded by pre-conceived opinions that it’s difficult to even speak out if you happen to see things differently.

This is the real issue — when so many people “know” something with such conviction that no one is allowed to present contrary data and views.