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Climate of Skepticism Swells in Copenhagen

Leaders all but abandon hopes for binding treaty this year

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 7, 2009 6:37 AM CST

(Newser) – Global warming talks kick off today in Copenhagen, but leaders have already largely given up hope of a binding international treaty amid a climate of swirling skepticism toward the issue. The “climategate” emails do little to debunk two decades of climate science, scientists and policymakers tell the New York Times, but they’ve given skeptics an opening. Saudi Arabia, for example, is openly questioning the scientific basis for the talks.

Recent polls show that global warming doubt is on the rise in the US and Britain, and to skeptics, the emails prove the existence of a conspiracy to push through costly greenhouse gas cuts. But scientists say the case is stronger now than it was a decade ago. “There will remain after the dust settles in this controversy a very strong scientific consensus,” says President Obama’s top scientific adviser.

Delegates follow the opening ceremony of the Climate Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, Monday, Dec. 7, 2009.
Delegates follow the opening ceremony of the Climate Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, Monday, Dec. 7, 2009.   (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus)
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The physics of the greenhouse effect is so basic that instead of asking whether it would happen, it makes more sense to ask what on earth could make it not happen - Spencer Weart, physicist and historian

If we were arguing about archaeology then people could hoard their data. But I don’t think the public has any time for that. - Stephen McIntyre, a blogger and mining consultant who looks for errors in climate data

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 30 comments
d3wd
Dec 8, 2009 7:53 AM CST
So you enjoy getting visits from the Secret Service?
dax
Dec 8, 2009 4:24 AM CST
DLY : "Only a faithful believer could make such a statement. Reality bites." ---- Or a scientist who has a broader grasp of the science behind the research. Reality bites.
reasonator
Dec 8, 2009 2:36 AM CST
Medieval warming period

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