The Gorilla in the Room:My Question for You

I was all set this week to start on having fun, instead of all this seriousness about Climate Change. However, before I do I need all of you to answer a question for me that I can’t answer on my own.

Every day people get in their cars, start them and drive away. Most of the cars will be controlled by computers. Even older, pre-computer cars, need electronics to run. The ignition systems of every car, young or classic, use science (electromagnetic theory) to produce the spark. Never have I ever heard about anyone who refuses to ride in a car because they don’t believe the science behind the ignitions (let alone the computers) is false and a hoax.

Scientists have concluded (from landing probes on Mars and from remote observations) that there was once water on the surface of Mars. As far as I know, most people accept these observations without much fuss. 

When people go to a doctor with some health issue and a drug can help alleviate or cure their problem, they normally accept what the doctor advises and take the drug. It is very rare to have someone refuse any drugs because they feel science is bogus. After all, the development and testing (double-blind testing based on statistics) is all science-based. Scientists do the basic research and develop the proper testing procedure and then engineers and technicians figure out practical ways to mass produce the drug.

How many people have turned down knee or hip replacements because they do not trust the science behind it? Hardly anyone.

So--here is my question to all of you. Why is it that so many people (over a quarter of us) are skeptical about Global Climate Change when they readily trust scientists in everyday life?

Next week I promise that I will really start having fun and blog about, “Where do forecasts come from?”