Yes, it IS an existential threat

In the August 12 Post Featured Guest Column, Washington Post writer George F. Will argues that “With a closer look, certainty about the ‘existential’ climate threat melts away.” Mr. Will bases his article almost entirely on the opinions of physicist Steven E. Koonin. Interestingly, Marc A. Thiessen (also of the Washington Post) wrote a nearly identical article that relied heavily on Mr. Koonin inon May 17. Both Mr. Will and Mr. Thiessen have also written articles supporting climate science denial in the past. Koonin is the latest darling of climate science deniers, appearing on Fox News and other right-wing news outlets with scholarly-sounding arguments to support their point of view.

Koonin’s assertions, like those of other science deniers, have been widely debunked. It would be nice if Mr. Will and Mr. Thiessen had taken notice. Unfortunately, confirmation bias exists even for those articulate enough to write for the Washington Post. It would be even nicer if they were correct - that there is nothing to worry about with regards to climate change. Unfortunately, they are not.