Why does Answers com publish an etymology of the phrase carbon neutral which states that carbon IS a contributor to global warming when according to all research so far this is not proven to be fact?

Answer 1

Because there is no such thing as a 'scientific fact'. Even gravity is not a 'scientific fact'.

Scientists do not work with 'facts' but will levels of confidence, of probability. When there is a high level of confidence among the entire scientific community on a particular issue, that is called a 'consensus'. When a scientists has a different opinion (ie, after conducting research and writing a scientific paper), such a differing opinion is generally called a 'hypothesis'.

For example: the general scientific consensus is that the earth is round. However, there are still some hypothesis regarding the earth being flat. As long as scientists claiming the earth being flat are not able to convince their fellow scientists through validated research methods which can be repeated by others and peer-reviewed publications in scientific journals, the scientific consensus will not alter.

Same is applicable to carbon. The general consensus is that it is a contributor to Global Warming while a minority of scientists have differing hypothesis. Some day their hypothesis might become the general consensus but for that to happen they first have to convince their fellow scientists of the validity of their scientific claims and their research.