NOAA scientists agree the risks are high, but say Hansen
overstates what science can really say for sure Jim Hansen at
the University of Colorado’s World Affairs Conference (Photo:
Tom Yulsman) Speaking to a packed auditorium at the University
of Colorado’s World Affairs Conference on Thursday, NASA
climatologist James Hansen found a friendly audience for his
argument that we face a planetary emergency thanks to global
warming. Despite the fact that the temperature rise has so far
been relatively modest, “we do have a crisis,” he said. With his
characteristic under-stated manner, Hansen made a compelling
case. But after speaking with two NOAA scientists today, I think
Hansen put himself in a familiar position: out on a scientific
limb. And after sifting through my many pages of notes from two
days of immersion in climate issues, I’m as convinced as ever
that journalists must be exceedingly careful not to overstate
what we know for sure and what is still up for scientific
debate. Crawling out on the limb, Hans