Here’s a finding that shouldn’t be all that surprising: Since 1991, roughly 97 percent of all published scientific papers that take a position on the question agree that humans are warming the planet.
That stat comes from this extensive new survey led by John Cook and Dana Nuccitelli, who run the Skeptical Science website. And it builds on earlier studies finding the exact same thing. …
That said, others are doubtful that these “consensus” studies can sway public opinion. Dan Kahan of Yale Law School points out that we’ve seen similar stories in the press regularly since 2008 — to no effect. In fact, he argues, there’s solid evidence that emphasizing the scientific consensus doesn’t get everyone to agree. If anything, it just makes people even more polarized. [cont.]
Brad Plumer, Washington Post
Recent polls: Climate change