This opinion piece from UK's former Energy Secretary (and a strong critic of the Kyoto Protocol) goes over the line by describing the scientific community's growing concerns about global warming as 'fashionable madness.' Though I generally agree with his point that the science of what determines the world's temperature is 'far from settled', I find his sourcing to be highly selective, with little attempt to fairly present both sides of the argument. By taking sides as vehemently as he does and calling opposing views 'absurd' or 'nonsense', Mr. Lawson weakens his own argument and credibility. His strong views against attempting to mitigate or reverse global warming are by now well-documented, through his own earlier publications -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigel_Lawson -- and his appearance in his son's controversial documentary 'The Global Warming Swindle' http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Global_Warming_Swindle . Mr. Lawson's combative attitude on the subject is unfortunate, as some his comments appear worthy of further investigation (e.g.: the risk of fanaticism in what he calls 'the new religion of global warming'). And he does concede with the majority on a few points, as quoted here: 'We do need to monitor as accurately as we can what is happening to temperatures across the globe, and we do need to assist the developing countries to adapt to a warmer temperature, should (one day) the need arise.' But he defeats his own purpose by exhibiting much of the same behavior that he condemns in his opponents. Still a worthwhile read, as a counterpoint to the opposing arguments we regularly hear from liberal publications.