Skeptics might not be saying what they really believe. Some beliefs do not make for good sound bites in the political arena. For example: The climate is probab

Skeptics might not be saying what they really believe. Some beliefs do not make for good sound bites in the political arena. For example: The climate is probably getting warmer, and humans probably are causing this. This will help some people while hurting others, and we are more fond of the people who might benefit from warming. (compare Canada with Saudi Arabia, or Alaska with Hawaii) We can't do anything to prevent climate change without devastating our economy; the climate change is probably less harmful, at least to us. Whatever we do to reduce fossil fuel usage will reduce the global price of fossil fuel, thus encouraging fossil fuel use in other countries that would like an economic advantage over us. Other countries will cheat on any agreements we make. If the climate situation becomes really bad, the best-prepared countries will be the ones with the strongest economies. In conclusion, we won't do a damn thing. That sure doesn't play well in a sound bite, does it? OK, plan B is to deny the issue. It doesn't even have to be intentional. When people find potential conclusions unacceptable, they seek alternate facts until an acceptable conclusion is reached. That's just how the human mind works.