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General Discussion => Science & Nature => Topic started by: Clive on August 04, 2011, 20:51

Title: Arctic 'tipping point' may not be reached
Post by: Clive on August 04, 2011, 20:51

Scientists say that current concerns over a tipping point in the disappearance of Arctic sea ice may be misplaced.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-14408930

Title: Re: Arctic 'tipping point' may not be reached
Post by: sam on August 04, 2011, 22:11

Ah science.

Title: Re: Arctic 'tipping point' may not be reached
Post by: Clive on August 04, 2011, 22:18

 :hee-hee:  A very respected journal.   :scoot:

Title: Re: Arctic 'tipping point' may not be reached
Post by: GillE on August 05, 2011, 01:00

Now we'll have the IPCC jumping up and down and rubbishing this as being poorly researched sensationalism, just because it doesn't tally with their poorly researched sensationalism.

Mind, the IPCC has been on thin ice for years, jumping up and down.  They should have realised the ice wasn't as thin as they've been claiming.

Title: Re: Arctic 'tipping point' may not be reached
Post by: Clive on August 05, 2011, 08:45

 :pmsl:

Title: Re: Arctic 'tipping point' may not be reached
Post by: Rik on August 05, 2011, 10:00

I don't see where the police come into this...  :o:

Title: Re: Arctic 'tipping point' may not be reached
Post by: sam on August 08, 2011, 16:56

Quote from: GillE on August 05, 2011, 01:00

Now we'll have the IPCC jumping up and down and rubbishing this as being poorly researched sensationalism, just because it doesn't tally with their poorly researched sensationalism.

Mind, the IPCC has been on thin ice for years, jumping up and down.  They should have realised the ice wasn't as thin as they've been claiming.

I've met a bunch of people on the IPCC and they were all exceptional scientists. I think your jumps here are rather harsh.

Title: Re: Arctic 'tipping point' may not be reached
Post by: GillE on August 08, 2011, 17:36

Sam, they may well be excellent scientists who have a perceptive insight into the changing environment - but they haven't presented their science in ways that makes people think, "I follow your reasoning.  It does look as if your interpretation of the situation is accurate."  Instead, there's been a load of headline-grabbing sensationalism and when people look to find the science behind the headlines it isn't available, certainly not in ways that an educated outsider can understand.

Title: Re: Arctic 'tipping point' may not be reached
Post by: sam on August 08, 2011, 22:23

but is that not just the press misinterpreting the words of scientists... like always.

Title: Re: Arctic 'tipping point' may not be reached
Post by: GillE on August 09, 2011, 03:59

No - I've searched on-line for clarification but it isn't there.  Instead, all I find is patronising reassurance along the lines of, "Trust me, I'm a clever scientist and you wouldn't understand".

Title: Re: Arctic 'tipping point' may not be reached
Post by: sam on August 09, 2011, 07:20

but all the clarification is in scientific journals. They publish their results following the same scientific method and standards as everyone else. Of course there is always the interpretation aspect and I'm not sure I follow some of their findings but its all there in journals.

All of the IPCC reports can be found here: http://www.ipcc.ch/publications_and_data/publications_and_data_reports.shtml

and lots of their work is all found in: http://www.ametsoc.org/pubs/journals/jcli/

Title: Re: Arctic 'tipping point' may not be reached
Post by: GillE on August 09, 2011, 11:00

We've had this conversation so many times, Sam.  The IPCC may have some super scientists but it's got a rotten PR set-up.

Title: Re: Arctic 'tipping point' may not be reached
Post by: sam on August 09, 2011, 23:07

Indeed. But I'm not so sure its their PR or more the way the press jump at things. Sensationalism rules journalism.