It is simple - this whole thing is wholely and completely science. It only became some wider issue after big business saw that the science might actually impinge on their bottom line, and then they opted to take the tobacco approach and spent large amounts of money introducing doubt, politics and disturbances in the way things were shaping up.
NO difference. If in an earlier time it was found that the earth being round might upset a major industry, that industry would hire PR firms and do all they could to inject that same doubt. The scientists are only in it for the money, (never mind that the naysayers are as well), Not all the evidence is in, the pictures from outerspace were photoshoped, there isn't a consensus, mankind hasn't the ability to actually assertain the shape of the earth.
This has become common practice - that is, industry lying and introducing doubt, making science into a plaything, to be trusted only when that sicence seems to be on the side of the status quo.
there is no "philosophical struggle", there is only truth and lies, science and PR, profit and reality.
the globe is warming, we are doing it. It really is that simple.
