Scientists are, by nature, skeptical. That is why peer reviewed research is the gold standard in the evaluation of evidence and theories. Another aspect of scientific endeavor is that the theories are models or approximations of an underlying reality.  This lends scientific reporting to be couched in probabilities and uncertainties that become fodder for further research and skepticism. But when the great preponderance of scientists agree on a theory, it is difficult to accept a skeptical outlook without compelling evidence. Such is the case of the greenhouse effect where many hundreds of climatologists have well established the physics involved and have made accurate predictive models.

There are a few credentialed scientists who cast doubt on these well established theories. Let us suppose that there is a chance that they might be correct. The question then becomes one of assessing the upside and downside of that possibility. From a risk/reward perspective, the doubters are betting that the reward for inaction is maintaining the status quo. On the other hand, if they are wrong, the downside is potentially catastrophic. To bet on a few doubters against the vast majority of dedicated scientists seems to me a foolhardy bet.

But let’s put the argument of the greenhouse effect aside entirely for another question. As we live in an energy hungry economy, why would we want to shackle ourselves to a fossil fuel oligarchy that uses every opportunity of scarcity to line its pockets and unfriendly regimes who use the oil spigot for their own political gains to our detriment? Would it not be more prudent to diversify our energy portfolio to include fossil fuel alternatives?

The fossil fuel oligarchy has long profited from our addiction to their products. But it is time that we foster new industry in alternative energy sources that do not put our country in peril either through atmospheric heating and the associated environmental ills of fossil fuel or the political risks of dealing with unfriendly regimes.

The price of American independence is freeing ourselves from fossil fuel dependence.