And despite what columnist Ron Smith says, the only real disagreements between scientists are over how much damage global warming will do, how long it will take to happen, what can be done to ameliorate these effects (it is too late to prevent them) and how effective those steps may be.
Unfortunately, the latest findings all point to the situation being worse than previously thought.
Mr. Smith can cherry-pick "experts" to make his case. He could also cherry-pick "experts" to prove the world is flat or that alchemy can turn Rice Krispies into gold. And in so doing, he can raise doubts in the minds of those not interested enough to learn the real facts.
This can erode the public support needed to fight the problem and is a major disservice to the global community.
But if The Baltimore Sun, in some attempt to present various views on global warming, chose to run this column, it should have paired it with one laying out what really is going on.
Myron Beckenstein, University Park
What's missing from Ron Smith's column "What global warming fear-mongers won't tell you" is an acknowledgment that despite the gulf between the proponents of either side of the global warming argument, there remains a need for man to be a good caretaker of the planet.
The world's population and its industrialization continue to grow, with lasting impacts.
I do agree with Mr. Smith that fear-mongering is less than desirable and should not be needed.
But we should not need stacks of contradictory data to remind us (mankind) of our ethical responsibility to be good stewards and care-takers of our home.
The responsibility is not a liberal or conservative one. It is not uniquely American.
It is a global one that needs the support of individuals and governments worldwide.
I'm all for raising everyone's consciousness about that fact, even if doing so involves a little fear-mongering.
Craig Leigh, Baltimore
