These are two items that underpin and inform my view of the whole global warming issue. I will let them speak for themselves.

The first is an article from today in which the head of NASA questions whether humans should meddle with the environment.

I have no doubt that global — that a trend of global warming exists,” NASA administrator Michael Griffin told National Public Radio’s Morning Edition in an interview that aired early Thursday. “I am not sure that it is fair to say that it is a problem we must wrestle with.”

“To assume that it is a problem is to assume that the state of Earth’s climate today is the optimal climate, the best climate that we could have or ever have had and that we need to take steps to make sure that it doesn’t change,” Griffin said.

“First of all, I don’t think it’s within the power of human beings to assure that the climate does not change, as millions of years of history have shown,” he continued. “And second of all, I guess I would ask which human beings — where and when — are to be accorded the privilege of deciding that this particular climate that we have right here today, right now is the best climate for all other human beings. I think that’s a rather arrogant position for people to take.”

The second is a video that speaks directly to the human and scientific arrogance that underlies the consensus opinion. The video is called “Smart”:

A little humility goes a long way.