Legislators Still Skeptical after Climate Change Science Presentation

10.21.2009 by Elizabeth Ziegler

(KCPW News) A presentation from two scientists representing opposing sides of the climate change debate drew a standing-room only crowd at a legislative committee meeting this morning on Capitol Hill. On one side, skeptic Roy Spencer, a former NASA scientist and meteorologist, says he’s not a climate change “denier.” He believes the climate always changes, but wants more study into whether it’s caused by humans.

“There is evidence out there that Mother Nature by herself causes climate change just by changing circulation patterns, changing cloud cover,” Spencer said. “I’m just saying that’s a possibility and nobody investigates that possibility.”

Spencer argued that the scientific community has not answered all the questions about global warming, specifically the effect of cloud cover on global temperature.

On the other side of the debate, University of Utah Scientist Jim Steenburgh argued that the vast majority of scientists are in agreement that global warming is happening, and is caused by humans. He referred to a recent study that showed 97 percent of scientists agree on these points. But if there are economic consequences to cap and trade, that’s not good enough for Republican Representative Mike Noel, co-chairman of the Public Utilities Interim Committee.

“We’re going to take the hit, we’re going to shut down our economy to solve this problem, which in my mind I’m still questioning whether or not the science has been totally resolved on this,” Noel said. “There may be 100 percent of the scientists, or 95 percent or 90 percent of them. But if there is still a question out there like Dr. Spencer, I’m not sure I want to subject my constituents to that.”

Governor Gary Herbert is also on the side of climate change skeptics.  He believes the jury is still out on whether climate change is caused by humans.