3 ms·

I think he is (somewhat confusingly) talking about global dimming, i.e. particulate pollution, masking warming effect of CO2. But we can't really do much about

by js8 5y ago

I think he is (somewhat confusingly) talking about global dimming, i.e. particulate pollution, masking warming effect of CO2. But we can't really do much about that if we want to stop global warming at all. And it's not even completely clear whether that theory (of dimming) is valid or not, clouds can have a varying effect on temperature.

gjsman-1000 5y ago
Thank you, that's probably it. It's all very complicated. The scary thing with theories is that reality doesn't change whether your theory is considered proven or not. We might have no evidence that "global dimming" would be a thing, but then it absolutely could happen. Or, admittedly, vice versa, where we thought it could happen but it doesn't. We need more research as usual...
- pjc50 5y ago
  > The scary thing with theories is that reality doesn't change whether your theory is considered proven or not. We might have no evidence that "global dimming" would be a thing, but then it absolutely cold happen. Or, admittedly, vice versa, where we thought it could happen but it doesn't. This is just denialism of prediction as a concept. A universal excuse to not do anything. After all, why work to extinguish the fire when it could go out all by itself?
  - gjsman-1000 5y ago
    That wasn't really my point. I'm more just saying that there is the risk that, let's say "climate dimming" is a thing, and we somehow pressed forward and cut all the emissions, and then it happens when we didn't expect it. What does that mean for us? We're playing with the world here. If scientists mess up and their reaction to climate change causes other problems, nobody will listen to a scientist ever again on this issue, and that comes with its own risks.
    - pjc50 5y ago
      Conversely, what if we press forward and there are benefits we don't expect?

3 ms·

I think he is (somewhat confusingly) talking about global dimming, i.e. particulate pollution, masking warming effect of CO2. But we can't really do much about

by js8 5y ago

gjsman-1000 5y ago
Thank you, that's probably it. It's all very complicated. The scary thing with theories is that reality doesn't change whether your theory is considered proven or not. We might have no evidence that "global dimming" would be a thing, but then it absolutely could happen. Or, admittedly, vice versa, where we thought it could happen but it doesn't. We need more research as usual...
- pjc50 5y ago
  > The scary thing with theories is that reality doesn't change whether your theory is considered proven or not. We might have no evidence that "global dimming" would be a thing, but then it absolutely cold happen. Or, admittedly, vice versa, where we thought it could happen but it doesn't. This is just denialism of prediction as a concept. A universal excuse to not do anything. After all, why work to extinguish the fire when it could go out all by itself?
  - gjsman-1000 5y ago
    That wasn't really my point. I'm more just saying that there is the risk that, let's say "climate dimming" is a thing, and we somehow pressed forward and cut all the emissions, and then it happens when we didn't expect it. What does that mean for us? We're playing with the world here. If scientists mess up and their reaction to climate change causes other problems, nobody will listen to a scientist ever again on this issue, and that comes with its own risks.
    - pjc50 5y ago
      Conversely, what if we press forward and there are benefits we don't expect?