Keep skepticism healthy

Many of the letters to the editor that discuss climate change claim it is a hoax, a left-wing conspiracy, etc. Unless you have training in the sciences it can be a challenging subject to understand. Most of the scholarly research is written by scientists for scientists – not easily understood by the general public.

If you were to do a simple graph of historical time versus temperature, you will see that temperature spikes occur at the start of the industrial revolution and continues on. Pretty obvious evidence of mankind’s effect on the environment.

So what? Do some research on the polar ozone holes and you will see that the scientists were able to solve a potentially disastrous problem by providing evidence that showed industry and skeptics what needed to be done. It has worked … so far.

Skepticism can be a good thing unless it leads to blanket statements not based on the facts.

Robert R. Cannata

Spokane