One aspect of this debate worth investigating is the influence of lobbyists and money on how the data is reported.  During the debate on Global Warming a controversy arose called “Climategate” in which one side accused the other of changing data to influence the debate and gain financial benefit.  The danger of this happening is all too real in a society with questionable financial ethics as it is.  Consider the debate from this angle by watching both of these reports and then considering the following questions.

 

Questions to consider…

• What are the possible explanations for these emails?
• Which scenario seems most plausible?
• How would the public citizen know which explanation is true?
• How important is it that scientific data be accurate and unbiased?
• Is it possible for data to be presented to the public without some type of bias or interpretation?