Mark,
"It's also worth mentioning that predictions aren't gospel: Scientists predicted that the horrific 2005 season -- featuring Hurricane Katrina -- would be followed by another above-average year. In fact, hurricane activity fell far below average."
I think it better to start at the other end of the telescope. Please show me where these "predictions" have come true. I don't mean vague predictions like "the seas will rise"
I can show the seas have been rising for an eon.
I want specifics: geographic rain fall, tropospheric temperature, Atlantic ocean current slowdown, etc.
I want specific PAST predictions compared to CURRENT conditions.
Otherwise, it's prophesy.
"They call themselves experts. . . They use PR firms to cultivate the media and are always happy to provide the sort of glib, scary statement that makes great copy. They are the people who promote, and profit from, fear."
*cough* Al Gore *cough*
Apparently it doesn't matter all that much if the observed data doesn't agree with the hypothesis - just fudge the numbers/map colours and problem fixed ( [External Link])
Perhaps they have been reading this book - "How to Lie with Maps" - once recommended to me in a cartography class.
[External Link]