The past two weeks have been an interesting time in the world of climate change research. The recently released, privately-funded Berkeley Earth Surface Temperature (BEST) study that was pioneered by respected scientist and praised climate skeptic Richard Muller tells us something we already knew: the earth is getting warmer.

(SEE THE FULL ARTICLE AT: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zz6LytX95C8/TqFvjmh5TOI/AAAAAAAAC4c/G22RQGK3w7... )

In the past, Muller has endeared himself to deniers for blasting Al Gore, while praising skeptic Allen Watts. Watt’s even went as far to state prior to the publication of Muller’s current study, the BEST report, "I'm prepared to accept whatever result they produce, even if it proves my premise wrong."

Muller announced in the press release announcing the study results that, "Our biggest surprise was that the new results agreed so closely with the warming values published previously by other teams in the US and the UK." In other words, climate scientists know what they're doing after all, especially the ones lambasted for 'Climategate.'

The BEST report at the most basic level is an estimate of planetary warming, and makes no estimate of how much this warming is attributable to human activity. In one sense, its impact is limited, since the more astute skeptics have already abandoned global warming as a hoax and have shifted focus to the contention that it is man-made. The business minded skeptics have moved beyond arguing against influence, even, and now merely argue that it's economically pointless to try to stop it.

Still, the fact that climate scientists turned out to be very conservative in their early estimates of temperature increase surely enhances their credibility. ‘Climategate’ was always a ridiculous sideshow, and the robust findings of the BEST report are just one more nail in its coffin. Climate scientists got the climate data right, and based on the validity of their past findings, there’s a pretty good chance they got the cause right – human activity – as well.

With all of these results coming to light, and taking into consideration the largest statistical data set related to climate change ever assembled in the BEST study, I can't help but think that we are missing the trees from the forest. While debating the merits of climate change may be a fun argument around the dinner table during the holidays (and trust me, as the now NYC-based prodigal son returning to the Jax-based land of SUVs and Tea Party Patriots, dinner debates are my favorite pastime), these misguided conversations aren’t helping to shape long-term planning for development and prosperity in the world in which we live.

(Take a look, 7B and counting...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcSX4ytEfcE&feature=player_embedded )

As we grow to over seven billion people worldwide, over a billion of which are still without direct access to power, the discussion must be shifted from the 'specter of global warming' to richer, dialogic, progressive discussions that can actually lead to action.

So much rhetoric is focused on the governmental role in climate change. However, I believe that the government probably shouldn’t be the one in the driver’s seat. The government’s role should be secondary, engaging in activities such as funding research and development in conjunction with the private sector, and perhaps generating revenue through emissions sources (taxes). At most, the powers that be should serve as a conduit for future sustainable development. For example, both the Bush AND Obama administrations have successfully administered ARPA-e, ARRA, and loan guarantees to growing and expanding clean-tech companies. On a side note, loan guarantees are the ONE area that I take exception with, due in large part to the political nature that has emerged as part of the process.

Private business has made some huge leaps with the assistance of public programs. Two current examples of the private sector leading with the support of the public sector include:

*Cushman & Wakefield's partnership with the DOE to install and test dozens of new technologies and innovations related to sustainability

*Schneider Electric, NORESCO, JCI and many other organizations upgrading government buildings through the use of alternative funding mechanisms, including performance contracts

Let's keep moving in the right direction, and stop talking about which way to go. Arguments on both sides of the global warming debate have merit, but what all agree to is that there is the real need for every individual and company to do more with less, and make a more sustainable future.