Re: “Folly lies in thinking we can control climate”
Robert Leggett raised several issues. I have a much different take on all these issues. Following are some of them:
Re: Fires: That we were below the “annual average” in 2015 has little meaning for me because 1) I do not know what average Leggett is talking about, 2) fire statistics (size, frequency, season length, severity, area, etc.) are quite variable year to year and 3) experts at BC Wildfire in their 2014-24 adaptation plan state fire size, severity, season length, frequency and area are all expected to increase significantly as our climate warms.
Re: Extremes: I have seen no evidence supporting Leggett’s statement that “statements about extreme weather are normally false.” In fact conclusions by credible scientists in their peer reviewed work are normally true and there is significant and increasing evidence that many extreme weather events are increasing in likelihood and intensity. See for example Explaining Extreme Events of 2014 from a Climate Perspective, published by the American Meteorological Society.
Re: CO2 may not drive temperature change: I believe Leggett is talking about the greenhouse effect. This issue has been studied by scientists for the last two centuries and the science is very clear on this topic: CO2 and other greenhouse gases drive temperature changes.
Re: political maneuverings of the IPCC: Greenhouse gases — increases or reductions — know no borders. Global warming cannot be solved by one country. Global warming is a global problem and it will take most if not all governments working together to solve this problem. The continually improving UN IPCC process is not perfect but it’s the best we have.
Mike Geisler, Bonnington