In a guest commentary, retired climate scientist Michael Tobis critiques a Financial Post opinion piece by economist Ross McKitrick, which claims that climate scientist Roger Pielke Jr. demonstrated no link between climate change and extreme weather. Tobis argues that Pielke’s findings lacked sufficient evidence to support this conclusion, emphasizing the statistical challenges in studying rare extreme events. He highlights the common mistake of equating “absence of evidence” with “evidence of absence” and notes that those opposed to climate policy often exploit inconclusive results.
Tobis discusses how results are easily manipulated by selectively narrowing data sets, which can yield null results. He critiques McKitrickâs interpretation of data on hurricane impacts, flooding, and tornado damage, arguing it overlooks substantial evidence of climate change’s influence on extreme weather events. He emphasizes the conclusive trend of increasing severe weather linked to human-induced climate change, showcasing advancements in attribution science that now allow for clearer connections between climate change and specific extreme events.
Despite McKitrick’s claims, Tobis asserts that the evidence supporting a link between climate change and rising extreme weather is compelling and continues to grow. He points out that recent reports, including those from Environment and Climate Change Canada, confirm the human impact on climate and project increases in extreme weather incidents. Tobis calls for a more responsible discourse on climate issues, criticizing McKitrick’s article as misleading and counterproductive to constructive dialogue on climate change.
Source link
