Summary
Hans H.J. Labohm en Dick Thoenes
Scepsis inzake opwarming van de aarde
Hans H.J. Labohm and Dick Thoenes explain their scepticism on global warming. Contrary to what many people believe, qualified scientists neither agree that the earth is warming up because of man-made CO2 emissions from the burning of fossil fuels, nor do they agree that, even if such a phenomenon might occur, it will cause all kinds of catastrophes. The authors list the main objections against the global warming thesis as has been expounded by the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Because of the great complexity of the climate system and the lack of data as well as basic knowledge about the many mechanisms which determine the earth's energy balance, they question the reliability of the outcomes of computer-based climate modelling. Subsequently, they argue that the measures which have been proposed in the framework of the 'Kyoto Protocol' in order to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases, are premature, too expensive and ineffective. Finally, they reject the introduction of tradeable CO2 emission rights on political, economic and technical grounds.