Stephen J. Farnsworth
Tanzania
Opinion Article
Scientific Opinion on Climate Change across Two Decades
Author(s): Robert Lichter S, Stephen J. Farnsworth and Justin Rolfe-ReddingRobert Lichter S, Stephen J. Farnsworth and Justin Rolfe-Redding
This study examines a unique dataset of polling results from two comparable surveys, which asked the same questions of US. atmospheric and ocean scientists in 1991 and 2007. Using this measure of change in scientific opinion over time, the data shed light on the evolution of a consensus over a critical and dynamic 16-year period in the history of climate science. In 1991, considerable uncertainty and disagreement existed among climate scientists. With the passage of time and additional research, by 2007 a clear consensus had emerged, along with increased confidence in the opinions expressed. This is the path that scientific progress is expected to take, and it argues against charges that the climate science community rushed to judgment or engaged in groupthink on global warming. The period 1991 to 2007 was a time of considerable expansion in the scientific community?s conclusions about g.. View More»
