Interesting commentary on "scientific integrity"....

A new Rasmussen poll shows 69 percent of Americans say it is at least somewhat likely that some scientists have falsified research data to support their own theories and beliefs, including 40 percent who say it is ôvery likelyö scientists have done so. Only 22 percent of poll respondents do not think it is likely that some scientists have falsified research data, with 10 percent undecided.

According to Rasmussen Reports, ôWhile a majority of Americans nationwide continue to acknowledge significant disagreement about global warming in the scientific community, most go even further to say some scientists falsify data to support their own beliefs.ö

A powerful reason for growing public awareness of potential flaws in global warming claims, according to Rasmussen Reports, is recent news coverage of a peer-reviewed study documenting how NASA satellite data show more heat is escaping into space than United Nations computer models have predicted.

ôThe debate over global warming has intensified in recent weeks after a new NASA study was interpreted by skeptics to reveal that global warming is not man-made,ö Rasmussen Reports observed.

According to Rasmussen Reports, the number of adults who say itÆs likely scientists have falsified data is up 10 percentage points from December 2009.

ôRepublicans and adults not affiliated with either major political party feel stronger than Democrats that some scientists have falsified data to support their global warming theories, but 51% of Democrats also agree,ö observed Rasmussen Reports.

On a related issue, 57 percent of Americans say there is significant disagreement within the scientific community about global warming, up five percentage points from late 2009. Only 25 percent of Americans believe scientists agree on global warming. Another 18 percent are undecided.

SOURCE: Rasmussen Reports - http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_c...arming_research

I think to cut to the chase that falsifying or propping up data is driven to keep those funds coming in.

I'm a bit surprised that only 18% would be undecided about global warming; you'd think it was higher.

Have you guys read about our 'alien' eggs up here? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cyclops.gif" alt="" />

Are we still arguing about whether global warming exists?

Here's the deal....It is happening and we are adding to it. How much is arguable.

Anybody claiming that its a myth because we have cooler temps right now haven't read the research. At first the heat will generate more clouds which in turn will dim the planet making it cooler....but as the clouds build up so does the humidity which will increase heat exponentially. Water will conduct temperature 70% or so faster than air. what this means is at first we will get cooler temps but hold on because after the arc of dimming meets the arc of cooling we are in for some serious greenhouse heat.

What were we talking about? Oh yea global warming....why again? We should be talking about painting our roofs and roads white. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

The operative paragraph is the first paragraph quoted above. That such a percentage of Americans believe it is somewhat likely that scientists have falsified research data is indicative of a big distrust in science.

WRT global warming, the 50's and 60s saw a different climatic crisis being pushed -- global cooling.

The infamous "hockey-stick graph" has been proven to be "falsified research".

That the climate is "warming" is an arguable issue. The climate has been warmer in the past than it is now. CO2 levels have been higher in the past than today. And, those were in times of limited human population on the planet.

It is easy to prove that the climate has been warming since the last "big" ice-age -- slightly over 10,000 years ago.

Mans impact as being a "cause" of the warming is unproven and with the exception of Al Gore and his 52 supporting "scientists" (most with law and political degrees) does not constitute an overwhelming consensus of the scientific community.