I appreciate the diversity of opinion in the Peninsula Daily News. You have commentary from both sides of the political spectrum, which is important to honest debate.
I write in response to the Commentary on Aug. 15, “New climate report deserves to be debated” by Veronique de Rugy.
I agree with the words. Science is based on skepticism. Scientific debate is essential to scientific progress.
Unfortunately, Dr. de Rugy misstates facts.
The most respected peer-reviewed journal in all science is Nature.
Rather than debate Dr. de Rugy here, I urge readers to listen to the Aug. 15 Nature podcast at https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-02658-9.
The podcasts notes that “many researchers say that the report misrepresents decades of climate science.”
There is also an excellent report in The New York Times at https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/31/climate/trump-climate-skeptics-science-report.html.
The Times noted that the apparent intention of the report is to repeal the finding that climate change is a public health threat.
Dr. de Rugy’s expertise is in economics, not environmental science.
Every scientist understands that the best people to assess any complex scientific discipline are the experts who have devoted careers to understanding the science.
Debate is both welcome and necessary.
However, debate is not a synonym for intentional misrepresentation of facts in support of a political agenda.
Steven L. Shafer
Port Angeles