We need to make some far-reaching, often costly decisions in an atmosphere of considerable scientific uncertainty.

在缺乏科学确定性的情况下，我们需要作出一些影响深远、但往往代价昂贵的决定。

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Of course, a degree of scientific uncertainty remains about some of these pollutants' precise contribution to warming.

当然，这些污染物对气候变暖造成的确切影响，在科学上仍存在一定程度的不确定性。

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Decisions with far-reaching consequences need to be made quickly in an atmosphere of considerable scientific uncertainty.

在科学上存有很大不确定性的情况下，需要很快做出具有深远影响的决定。

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The precautionary principle, which calls for extra prudence in areas of scientific uncertainty, also applies.

ECONOMIST: How big science might fix climate change

Scientific uncertainty, of course, is not necessarily an excuse for inaction.

ECONOMIST: The environment

So, it seems, the scientific uncertainty generated by not having good data from the mid-20th century is going to be repeated in the early 21st century (satellites may help on optical depth, but it would really help to know what is being emitted).

FORBES: Climategate II: An Open Letter to the Director of the National Center for Atmospheric Research