I have come to realize that debate over "climate change" is pointless, because it is hopelessly intertwined with politics.   But a quick reading of any article in the media on the topic, and especially a look at the online comments that follow most of these articles, reveals one clear fact:  our educational system has utterly failed to teach a basic understanding of the scientific method.  Anyone who cares about the advancement of science should take the words of Michael Crichton to heart:  "There is no such thing as consensus science. If it's consensus, it isn't science.  If it's science, it isn't consensus.  Period." (from "Aliens Cause Global Warming," January 2003).