> Whether or not the Earth is getting warmer, and the cause of that warming, are scientific questions. Also science is a discussion of possible remediations and their costs. Which remediation to choose, if any, is a question of values and outside the scope of science.
So how do you propose scientists "stick to" the discussion of remediations of "we can remediate X by doing Y at expense Z" without it being portrayed maliciously as pesky interfering scientists saying "we should do Y"?
The problem of lack of trust is hardly the sole responsibility of scientists here.
Do you think discussing uncertainty more is going to raise trust or just be more fodder for the people with non-scientific reasons to oppose action?
I propose scientists "only stick to the science" if and only if everyone else in the world sticks to their wheelhouse as well. Lotta citizens, politicians, and pundits out there without much training in making good ethical decisions either!
As long as the output of a scientist will be interpreted through other people's political lenses its fair game for them to frame it politically too.
So how do you propose scientists "stick to" the discussion of remediations of "we can remediate X by doing Y at expense Z" without it being portrayed maliciously as pesky interfering scientists saying "we should do Y"?
The problem of lack of trust is hardly the sole responsibility of scientists here.
Do you think discussing uncertainty more is going to raise trust or just be more fodder for the people with non-scientific reasons to oppose action?
I propose scientists "only stick to the science" if and only if everyone else in the world sticks to their wheelhouse as well. Lotta citizens, politicians, and pundits out there without much training in making good ethical decisions either!
As long as the output of a scientist will be interpreted through other people's political lenses its fair game for them to frame it politically too.