Climate change doubters also must have personal accountability

Throughout my dialogue with Mr. Heil, I have cited numerous sources that establish anthropogenic warming is a reality. In his letter of July 6, 2021, Mr. Heil insists that I must “prove it.” If he understood the scientific method, he would know that science doesn't prove anything. It provides provisional explanations based on critical evaluation of all currently available data. I have provided confirmatory evidence. If he claims anthropogenic warming is not occurring and the consensus of climate scientists is wrong, he is obliged to provide verifiable evidence to substantiate that claim.

Mr. Heil criticizes me for relying on “questionable” sources such as skepticalscience.com to support my position on the subject. However, that website is described as "the most prominent knowledge-based website dealing with climate change in the world." (See “Skeptical Science -Wikipedia”) What's questionable is his ability to differentiate disinformation from documented facts.

He scolds me for citing online sources, even though he does the same. Of course we rely on ancillary sources. We are not experienced climatologists and there is a 250-word limit per letter.

John Cook, who manages the aforementioned website, has a B.Sc. degree, First Class Honours, in physics from the University of Queensland, Australia. (See “Curriculum Vitae- John Cook”) Yet Mr. Heil asserts, “Jack falsely claimed that Cook has a degree in physics …” Say what? This baseless accusation raises considerable doubt about how thoroughly he researches the subjects he argues about.

Mr. Heil chides, “It's time for personal responsibility...” Will he practice what he preaches?

JACK DeBAUN

Dover