As Andrew mentioned, the hurricane folks are saying that hurricanes are going to be the huge controversy when the IPCC report is released. Does climate change strengthen them? Yes? No? Kindamaybe with full takebacks? Does this consensus statement say we’re 51% sure while this other one says 49%?

Let me ask a simple question: what policy implications follow from this debate?

Help Grist raise $25,000 by September 30 to further advance our climate reporting

What difference will a clear answer make? What policy would make sense in light of the prospect of stronger hurricanes that wouldn’t make sense anyway, without that prospect?

I get that there’s a matter of genuine scientific curiosity here. And I get that the answer might affect the rhetoric of global warming advocates.

But what policy difference does it make?