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While the United States debates whether or not to push climate change legislation this year, the debate on the climate and man’s effect on it continues in the public forum. In recent days two high profile meteorologists have come forth and added their voices to the growing movement of those who reject the ‘consensus’ of the manmade climate change theory.
Many who advocate the manmade climate change theory like Al Gore and James Hansen have said that the ‘science is settled’ and there is no debate to be made on the issue. Despite this, more and more evidence is being released calling into question the very basis of the arguments climate change alarmists make.

The Capital Weather Gang section of the Washington Post is a must read for many weather enthusiasts. Today, meteorologist and Capital Weather Gang writer Matt Rogers outlined his case for questioning the ‘consensus’ of manmade global warming in a ‘top 10’ list.

Among the reasons Rogers gives for his dissent, he points out that despite alarmists’ dire predictions, hurricanes are not increasing in intensity or frequency. The same tired line about the dangers of extreme weather being caused by global warming has even been repeated by President Obama and yet there is no proof to back it up.

Rogers continues with other reasoned arguments including the argument that the climate models that the United Nation’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) uses are failing, solar activity is likely to be a contributor to any warming or cooling, and that despite increases in CO2 temperatures have actually decreased in the last 10 years. His arguments address the major talking points of those in the climate change movement and provide reasonable discussion points for those wishing to evaluate the issues at hand.

AccuWeather.com is one of the most popular weather websites on the Internet and a major provider of weather related news and information to media of all types. Joe Bastardi is an Expert Senior Forecaster at AccuWeather and is considered one of the premier meteorologists in the country. Bastardi recently said that those that advocate the manmade climate change theory have a “house of cards that goes up in smoke.”

Video: Watch Joe Bastardi, AccuWeather.com meteorolgist, on The O'Reilly Factor
Appearing on The O’Reilly Factor, Bastardi made his case that the temperature records simply do not fit the scenarios being presented by the IPCC and others. He demonstrated that the IPCC’s forecasts for the last 10 years do not fit what has actually happened as despite their predictions, temperatures have actually decreased.

Like Rogers, Bastardi – considered an expert in tropical weather – pointed out that contrary to predictions, tropical cyclone activity has decreased. Bastardi said, “An inconvenient truth is that tropical cyclone accumulated energy is down at record low levels.”

The lack of any real discussion about global warming rankles Bastardi and he encourages people to get the information themselves and make an educated decision about what they think. As he told Bill O’Reilly, “I think people haven’t been confronted with the facts. I don’t ask people to believe me. I ask people to go and arm themselves and …go look for the facts themselves.”

Matt Rogers and Joe Bastardi are not the only meteorologists clamoring for an open and honest debate on the global warming issue. Dr. William Gray, Professor Emeritus of Colorado State University who is best known for his hurricane forecasts, has long railed against the manmade climate change theory and specifically against the outrageous claims of its advocates like James Hansen. John Coleman, one of the founders of the Weather Channel, has long said that he believed global warming was “the greatest scam in history.”

To be sure there are also meteorologists that firmly place the blame on man for global warming. Weather Channel Senior Meteorologist Stu Ostro has speculated that global warming was the reason for a slower tornado season this year. WHNT TV (Huntsville, AL) meteorologist Dan Satterfield has long stated his belief that man was responsible and recently questioned the credentials and credibility of those who disagree.

Satterfield’s response and others that seem to shout down dissenters without offering any sort of opportunity for reasoned discussion highlights the frustration of other scientists who simply want to have their voice heard. In his article, Matt Rogers addressed the issue and found the lack of scientific debate alarming saying, “several times during debates individuals have told me I should not question the "settled science" due to the moral imperative of "saving the planet". As with a religious debate, I'm told that my disagreement means I do not "care enough" and even if correct, I should not question the science. This frightens me.”