
Editor's Note: The following is the entire
quote of Dr. Stephen Schneider......
"On the one hand, as scientists we are ethically bound to the
scientific method, in effect promising to tell the truth, the whole truth,
and nothing but – which means that we must include all the doubts, the
caveats, the ifs, ands and buts. On the other hand, we are not just
scientists but human beings as well. And like most people, we’d like to
see the world a better place, which in this context translates into our
working to reduce the risk of potentially disastrous climate change. To do
that, we need to get some broad-based support, to capture the public’s
imagination. That, of course, entails getting loads of media coverage. So
we have to offer up scary scenarios, make simplified, dramatic statements,
and make little mention of any doubts we might have. This ‘double
ethical bind’ we frequently find ourselves in cannot be solved by any
formula. Each of us has to decide what the right balance is between being
effective and being honest. I hope that means being both."
|