Scientific uncertainties feed scepticism on climate change

Abstract

Climate change is a complex and multi-facetted phenomenon, interpreted by an extensive body of interdisciplinary science. Although a great deal is known about the climate system, an enormous amount of uncertainty remains. Since uncertainty is usually equated with ignorance, this fact feeds scepticism on man-induced impacts on the global climate and links climate change with natural causes only. A broader concept of climate change science is presented by focusing on both early and modern scientific foundations of climate models and specific types of uncertainty usually encountered when formulating quantitative assessments of risks due to climate change.Major controversial issues of such risks and their origin is addressed with paticular attention paid to the widespread criticism for inconsistency of the reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, based on the assumptions found not always justified by the real scientific methods. Major inconsistencies and misleading arguments on the climate change are also discussed.

Challenging times for power plants

“…Therefore, CCS is considered to be an essential element of any low carbon energy future. Unfortunately, some major fossil fuel companies still neither make a break from climate denial or disinformation, nor are planning for a world free of global warming pollution, [27]. In order to succeed, CCS needs more institutional support, because policy is the main issue, not technology.…”