Mazel Tough: Understanding science

A couple of days ago I was ambling along a walkway in the Children's Museum at which I volunteer, when I saw a lady examining a brass sculpture of a Tyrannosaurus Rex. Because it is one of my responsibilities to interact with the visitors, I remarked that the sculpture was an old version of how we envisioned T-Rex and then pointed to an adjacent sculpture and said "this is what we think they really looked like." She replied strongly that she was glad that I used the word "think." I was instantly aware that I was face to face with someone who had no inkling of the science that provides the foundation for these exhibits. I kept my composure and amiably continued with, "This sculpture is based on scientific data obtained from research and from the actual fossil bones in our T-Rex skeletons downstairs.".Her face hardened and she walked away without a reply. She had her opinion and my attempt to alter it was to no avail.

There are, I'm afraid , many people who have no inkling of what scientists do. This large mass of humanity, even in our gadget-filled land of America, know little or nothing about research, the scientific method, the many branches of science, the history of science and the many benefits that the practice of science has brought to humanity.This ignorance can be consequential if the persons who deride the scientific evidence as baloney and are also in positions of political power.

Suppose that you are accused of a heinous crime of which you are innocent. Your attorney addresses the jury with the statement, "I believe that this person is innocent." Well, you are happy that he believes that but how can he convince the jury without evidence? Would you trust that lawyer to save you?

Of course you wouldn't. You would rather trust someone who has investigated the facts of your case and has presented evidence that proves that you are innocent and that no thinking juror could think otherwise.That is what scientists do: gather data, investigate what that data means, provide a working explanation, test that explanation, publish the results and cooperate with all other scientists who attempt to replicate or disprove the explanation.

Here are some facts that even an unscientific person can understand:

Rank of 2006 as hottest year on record in the continental United States.

Rank of America as top global warming polluter in the world.

20% Percent increase of America's carbon dioxide emissions from the burning of fossil fuels since 1990.

15% Percent increase of America's carbon dioxide emissions forecasted by 2020 if we do not cap pollution.

80% Percent decrease in U.S. global warming pollution required by 2050 to prevent the worst consequences of global warming.

Number of days by which the US fire season has increased over the past 20 years - tied closely to increased temperatures and earlier snowmelt.

200 million Number of people around the world who could be displaced by more intense droughts, sea level rise and flooding by 2080.

358 Number of U.S. mayors (representing 55 million Americans) who have signed the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement pledging to meet or beat Kyoto goals in their communities.