I have created this website because I know there are many well meaning people 'out there' who have genuine doubts about the claims made about how serious climate change is, or could be. I had the same doubts myself. As a physics teacher I heard many claims and counter-claims that had very little scientific credence. A few years ago, when I retired from full-time teaching, I decided to look at the issue more carefully, and to try to help my fellow science teachers come to grips with it. I knew they had many students, fellow teachers, and parents, asking questions about it. Over the last few years I have given many presentations to teachers and students on the issue.
In order to make the material I have developed over these years more widely available I decided to establish this website. Scepticism is the first step towards truth and so in an attempt to find that truth I have mostly gone back to the original science as published by the scientists working on the issue in the world's most important science journals - such as Nature and Science.
Unfortunately, however, the web is cluttered with all sorts of sites claiming to tell you the truth about climate change. On the 'further resources' page I have given links to some of those I believe to be reliable. But the best advice about how to interpret what you might read on the web is 'be sceptical'! Ask questions about where the information is coming from. Does it have a sound scientific basis or is it 'fringe science'? Is the website the front for a political, religious, economic, commercial or vested interest organisation? It is often hard to tell, but googling might lead you to other sites which may be able to tell you. All major developed countries have their own 'Academy of Science' or some such body. Virtually all of these have published statements on climate science which represent the views of the vast majority of their scientists - their websites are not a bad place to start.
I often hear comments along the lines "it doesn't matter about the facts, some people will just never be convinced". What a sad reflection on our world! I have spent almost 50 years teaching physics. I call it "The Great Human Adventure" - because it is the story of how humankind came out of a world dominated by myths, fairy stories and dogma to discover for ourselves the nature of the world around us. It really has been an amazing human adventure! The idea that somehow we are returning instead to a world dominated by obsolete ideologies, political dogma or vested interests is truly concerning. I hope that those who read what is offered here will do so in a true spirit of open mindedness. I hope you will be 'sceptical' in the true sense of the word.
And my vested interests? Thirteen wonderful grandchildren whose future depends on the actions we take or don't take now.
Keith Burrows
(Melbourne, Australia)
In order to make the material I have developed over these years more widely available I decided to establish this website. Scepticism is the first step towards truth and so in an attempt to find that truth I have mostly gone back to the original science as published by the scientists working on the issue in the world's most important science journals - such as Nature and Science.
Unfortunately, however, the web is cluttered with all sorts of sites claiming to tell you the truth about climate change. On the 'further resources' page I have given links to some of those I believe to be reliable. But the best advice about how to interpret what you might read on the web is 'be sceptical'! Ask questions about where the information is coming from. Does it have a sound scientific basis or is it 'fringe science'? Is the website the front for a political, religious, economic, commercial or vested interest organisation? It is often hard to tell, but googling might lead you to other sites which may be able to tell you. All major developed countries have their own 'Academy of Science' or some such body. Virtually all of these have published statements on climate science which represent the views of the vast majority of their scientists - their websites are not a bad place to start.
I often hear comments along the lines "it doesn't matter about the facts, some people will just never be convinced". What a sad reflection on our world! I have spent almost 50 years teaching physics. I call it "The Great Human Adventure" - because it is the story of how humankind came out of a world dominated by myths, fairy stories and dogma to discover for ourselves the nature of the world around us. It really has been an amazing human adventure! The idea that somehow we are returning instead to a world dominated by obsolete ideologies, political dogma or vested interests is truly concerning. I hope that those who read what is offered here will do so in a true spirit of open mindedness. I hope you will be 'sceptical' in the true sense of the word.
And my vested interests? Thirteen wonderful grandchildren whose future depends on the actions we take or don't take now.
Keith Burrows
(Melbourne, Australia)
For our children and grandchildren - who depend on us to leave them a great future