As opposed to the conflict of interest where the people who make money from the status quo, and the scientists on their payroll, say there is no problem?
I understand the scepticism, but if there is a problem with the status quo, that is the only way to find out about it. The people making money off selling oil aren't going to volunteer to shut down.
There's other ways. Let people put their money where their mouth is. If AGW is a real problem, then we ought to see certain insurance become expensive or coastal land value decreasing. People could even trade climate derivatives that start paying once temperature rises above a cap or something like that.
I understand the scepticism, but if there is a problem with the status quo, that is the only way to find out about it. The people making money off selling oil aren't going to volunteer to shut down.