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Scientists’ Views about Attribution of Global Warming

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Paper Summary

Paperzilla title
Scientists Agree: Humans are Heating Things Up (Mostly)

A survey of 1868 scientists found that 90% of those with more than 10 climate-related publications agree that human-caused greenhouse gas emissions are the main driver of recent global warming. The study also suggests the phrasing in previous IPCC reports may have led to underestimations of the warming effect of greenhouse gasses. Scientists who downplayed the human role in climate change reported more media coverage.

Explain Like I'm Five

Scientists who study climate change mostly agree that humans are the main cause of global warming since the mid-20th century. Those who disagree get more media attention.

Possible Conflicts of Interest

None identified

Identified Limitations

Self-reported data
The survey relies on self-reported data, which can be subject to biases. For example, respondents may overestimate their own expertise or publications.
Low response rate
The response rate of 29% is relatively low, raising concerns about the representativeness of the sample.
Ambiguous question phrasing
The phrasing of certain survey questions, particularly about quantifying the contribution of greenhouse gases, may have led to some confusion and underestimation.
Limited scope of sampled experts
While the survey includes a large number of scientists, it focuses on those who have published on climate change, potentially excluding other relevant experts.

Rating Explanation

This survey represents a substantial effort to assess the views of a large and diverse group of scientists on climate change attribution. While limitations such as self-reported data and a moderate response rate exist, the findings are largely consistent with other research and provide valuable insights into the level of consensus within the scientific community. The survey's detailed exploration of different aspects of attribution and its attempt to understand the nuances of agreement and disagreement strengthen its contribution to the field.

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Topic Hierarchy

Domain: Social Sciences
Subfield: Communication

File Information

Original Title: Scientists’ Views about Attribution of Global Warming
Uploaded: August 03, 2025 at 08:26 AM
Privacy: Public