For years, scientists have predicted that global warming would lead to extreme weather. Sure enough, extremes have become what some call the "new normal." The past decade has seen an increase in human catastrophes caused by unusual weather of different kinds. Arizona's wildfires are the result of a drought, while late snow in the western mountains has led to predictions of massive flooding. But scientists have a hard time saying that a given weather event is evidence of climate change. What's overlooked is that they also have trouble saying it's not. In any case, special interests seize on scientific uncertainty to avoid regulation of greenhouse gas emissions, and the public is very confused. Is the real "hoax" climate change or the denial of climate change? We look at an issue that's become as political as it is scientific.
Elizabeth Kolbert, New Yorker (@ElizKolbert)
Anthony Leiserowitz, Yale University (@ecotone2)
Richard Rood, University of Michigan
Bill McKibben, environmentalist and author (@billmckibben)
Darren Samuelsohn, Politico.com (@dsamuelsohn)