Humans are cultural animals. What we experience of the world is necessarily mediated through cultural categories and beliefs. Cultural categories both enable and constrain our perception, and our beliefs endow our experience with meaning. Understanding the cultural components of perception is essential in order to appreciate the evolution of climate science. Why didn't we see evidence of climate change earlier in history? We didn't see it because we didn't believe it. In some circumstances, belief precedes perception.

    Many aspects of the changing climate seem obvious to any observer once he or she is atuned to perceiving them. Conversely, many other elements of the climate system or the broader ecosystem continue to remain opaque or invisible to us if they do not appear to conform to our "mental maps" or the cultural categories we think of as reality. Scientific understanding about our climate can only be advanced if we can transcend the limits of our cultural perceptions and beliefs.

    The need for transcending our culture-bound beliefs becomes particularly apparent when we consider our behavior. Collective behavior is conditioned more by belief systems than it is by knowledge systems. Thus if we wish to change behavior, we need to change our beliefs.

    What is the link between knowledge systems and belief systems? How do changes in our systems of knowledge affect our beliefs? How "quickly" can belief systems "absorb" changes in knowledge? What is the difference between the changing content of belief and the enduring structure of belief?

    In short, we need to examine the links between knowledge, belief and behavior and ask ourselves how might changes in our knowledge about the science of climate affect our beliefs and behavior?

For further reading on these issues consider...

"Selective Perception" and Bending the Evidence -- Scientists Accuse Whitehouse of Misusing Scientific Evidence
	Spinning Science Here and Now, NPR - WBUR, Boston. (19 February 2004) Administration has distorted scientific facts to make it fit policies it supports. [Kurt Gottfried, UCS]
	Richard Harris, reports "Scientists Accuse White House of Distortion," NPR - All Thing Considered, (18 February 2004).
	Shogren, Elizabeth "White House Accused of Science Bias: The administration has censored and suppressed reports from U.S. agencies that don't adhere to a party line, the group alleges," Los Angeles Times, (19 February 2004).
	Gugliotta, Guy and Rick Weiss "President's Science Policy Questioned: Scientists Worry That Any Politics Will Compromise Their Credibility," The Washington Post, (19 February 2004).
	Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) Scientific Integrity in Policymaking: An Investigation into the Bush Administration’s Misuse of Science, Union of Concerned Scientists, (18 February 2004).