This document discusses climate change skepticism and some of the reasons for skepticism. It defines a skeptic as someone who doubts claims of knowledge in a particular field of inquiry. It provides background on Roy Spencer, a prominent climate skeptic, and notes that he has received funding from ExxonMobil. Five common reasons for climate skepticism are outlined, including arguments that there has been no recent warming, the causes of warming are uncertain, and climate models have limitations. However, the document states that research on individuals is needed before believing what is read, and that oil and energy companies have a financial stake in climate change.

1. Climate Change and Its Skeptics
• Climate change is a large and complex system that can not be studied in a
laboratory research setting. (Baum, Haqq-Misra, Karmosky, 2012)
• “Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence” – Carl Sagan
• Because of its complex nature, skeptics pick at climate change and the ethics of
climate change.
• Climate change’s skeptics vary from everyday people to bigwig corporations/
organizations (Oil, Energy, etc.)

2. What Is A Skeptic?
• “One who doubts the validity of what claims to be knowledge in some
particular department of inquiry”
• - "sceptic | skeptic, adj. and n." OED Online. Oxford University Press, June
2014. Web. 19 June 2014.
• Roy Spencer- Climate Confusion
• Principle research scientist for University of Alabama; served as senior scientist for
climate studies at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, AL.
• Awarded the American Meteorological Society’s Special Award
• B.S. in atmospheric sciences from University of Michigan (1978)
• Ph.D. in meteorology from University of Wisconsin-Madison (1980 & 1982)
• FUNDED THINK TANK OPERATIVE- EXXONMOBIL

3. Reasons For Skepticism
• 1. no recent warming
• 2. natural or manmade? If we don’t know how much of recent
warming is natural, then how can we know how much is manmade?
• 3. IPCC politics and beliefs. Since when does a scientist’s beliefs
translate into proof? Only global warming believers are allowed to
have a vote
• 4.climate change was obvious, but they failed to explain it.
• 5. Model forecast? Why believe them when they can’t explain the
past?
5/10 legit skepticisms. Must do research on individuals before believing
what is read.
• MONEY
• Oil Companies (ExxonMobil, BP Amoco) Energy Companies all stand to profit from
climate change.

5. Bibliography
• "sceptic | skeptic, adj. and n." OED Online. Oxford University Press, June
2014. Web. 19 June 2014.
• Baum, S., Haqq-Misra, J., & Karmosky, C. (2012). Climate Change: Evidence
of Human Causes and Arguments for Emissions Reduction. Science &
Engineering Ethics, 18(2), 393-410. doi:10.1007/s11948-011-9270-6