Re: “Gore’s science draws critics” (TNT, 3-13).

It is a recurrent attack that because all scientists don’t believe all aspects of the basic facts about global warming, then we (the global community) don’t need to take action. As a scientist for almost 30 years, I think three aspects of global warming are worth reiterating.

 • The U.S. National Academy of Sciences, which in 2005 the White House called “the gold standard of objective scientific assessment,” issued a joint statement with 10 other National Academies of Science saying “the scientific understanding of climate change is now sufficiently clear to justify nations taking prompt action.”

 • Most of the suggested actions have long-term benefits beyond reducing global warming by reducing the use of scarce resources and increasing quality of life for future generations.

 • Even though the article attacks ideas about how fast the earth is warming, the basic trend of more severe hurricanes with warmer water temperatures is undisputed.

Critics would have us believe that, as long as there is any doubt, that inaction is the best course. Unfortunately, the time required to make sufficient changes to make a difference is quite long; waiting any longer is indefensible.