[a fool in paradise]

As for why deniers should start believing, Branson keeps his argument simple: "If 97 percent of climate scientists agreeing that climate-warming trends over the past century are due to human activities isn’t compelling data, I don’t know what is."

What percent of Soviets believed in Communism? Or at least those who went on record?

There has been a blacklist of thought. Challenges from within the scientific community where silenced. This was in the leaked memos.

[Leonard210]

“What percent of Soviets believed in Communism? Or at least those who went on record? There has been a blacklist of thought. Challenges from within the scientific community where silenced. This was in the leaked memos.”

Exactly.

[Fuzz]

“What percent of Soviets believed in Communism?”

I would hope everyone does, regardless of where you are. It exists.

[Gen-X-Dad]

The history of science is that the consensus is wrong. Think about it, if the consensus was never wrong there would be no progress. The stupidest comment in the world is to claim that science is a popularity poll and the debate is over (i.e. Al Gore, a C student in college). Many times in history, a devoted individual who was ostracized by the scientific community was proven right in the end. Unfortunately, it often happens after they are long gone.

[katana]

Branson seems to lack understanding of what the word “data” means. Opinion is not data, beliefs are not data, and if a high percentage of people believe in Jinns and witchcraft, which is the case in Saudi Arabia among other places, is that supporting data too? If Mr. Branson is so concerned about the effects of a carbon cycle which keeps his skinny a** animated then he should do the right thing and remove himself from tat system. And for argument sake he may consider that opinion of mine as a data point too.