Gee, you think global climate change might have something to do with this?

This PBS Newshour video is titled "Meteorologist on Severe Weather: 'We Have Never Seen a Year Like This Before'":



This report actually provides a good illustration of how science denial complicates the understanding of issues like global climate change. Both the guests on this program are very good at describing scientific considerations on whether the current round of tornados and other extreme weather events are related to global climate change. Honest and professional scientists speak in trends, patterns, indications, probablilities.

But on the climate deniers side, you have people like Rush Limbaugh saying things along the lines of "Goll-lee, it shore was cold this past winter, how can Al Gore explain that?" And, "Look, these here scientists cain't say anything definite about whut's causin' this." If you're clueless about real science and inclined to find tribal affinities with the FOXists, that sounds a lot more definite that developing patterns and indications.

Tags: global climate change, science denial