December 2, 2004

Scientists Overwhelmingly Agree: Humans Are The Cause Of
Climate Change, Writes UCSD History Professor Naomi Oreskes

By Inga Kiderra

There is a popular perception – bolstered by the assertions of policymakers and corporations interested in preserving a do-nothing status quo – that scientists fundamentally disagree on the causes of global climate change. Not so, writes Naomi Oreskes, an associate professor of history and director of the Science Studies Program at UCSD, in the Dec. 3 issue of Science magazine.

Scientists are almost unanimous in the view that human activities are affecting the Earth’s climate.

In an effort to make clear this consensus, Oreskes and her research assistants combed through the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI) database and analyzed 928 peer-reviewed papers that were published on climate change between 1993 and 2003.

75% of these papers either explicitly endorse or implicitly accept the consensus view of anthropogenic (human-caused) climate change. The other 25% do not deal with the topic. But most importantly, none of the papers disagree.

Oreskes also finds, in a review of publicly issued statements, that all major scientific bodies in the United States whose members’ expertise bears directly on the matter have reached similar conclusions.

“There is scientific consensus,” Oreskes says. “Climate scientists have repeatedly tried to make this clear. It is time for the rest of us to listen – and to act."

To read the paper, please visit http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/306/5702/1686.

Media Contact: Inga Kiderra (858) 822-0661