Some decisions on matters that demand scientific expertise seem to ignore the best scientific evidence, favoring instead the contrarian views of scientific minorities. And it's always easy to find scientists who dispute the prevailing wisdom of their field. But sometimes the mavericks' voices are magnified when their positions support certain political prejudices. Take global warming, for instance. Levels of carbon dioxide and certain other gases that trap heat in the air are rising.
Nobody disputes that.
And the evidence is strong that the Earth has been getting warmer over the past century. Most experts conclude that in the century ahead the planet will get warmer still, with disruptive consequences, if nothing is done about it. But promises to reduce carbon dioxide emissions have been withdrawn. Yet sound science repeatedly confirms the reality of the global warming problem. In March, British scientists reported satellite measurements confirming that the Earth is giving up less heat to space than it used to.