From Marco Overdale
Roger James asks for a “theoretically conceivable or possible observation” that would convince us that “global warming is not caused by carbon dioxide emissions from human activity” (14 April, p 22).
Here’s a suggestion for the sceptics. How about we eliminate emissions based on human activity, or at least reduce them down to some reasonable level not too far from pre-industrial levels. If the temperature then continued to rise, we’d have our counter-example and the case would be proven.
This is theoretically possible. But of course the sceptics want this result proved before we carry out the experiment, or claim it is too hard to carry out. There’s the fallacy.
Wellington, New Zealand
