Originally posted by EternalOptimist
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I don't follow the global warming debate that closely. But I reckon that the scientific consensus / large majority (if you prefer) is a better bet than the dissenters. The dissenters should certianly have their voice and pursue their research but they are given too much weight in the name of balance, much like the anti-MMR GP.
Of course, a scientific consensus may be wrong, and the models are complex, so I happily concede that this consensus may be wrong. But it seems foolish to assume that it is wrong, and a much safer (and more likely to be correct) view to assume it is right. If the consensus changes, I will change my mind. What would make you change your mind?
Now, the other possibility is that there is a monstrous conspiracy or conspiracy of silence to dupe the world, but to me that seems like a paranoid nutjob conspiracy theory.
The next bit is policies adopted following acceptance of scientific consensus. I believe this is nearly all wrong and doomed, but I don't then decide that because I don't agree with policy, then the science is wrong. That's crazy.

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