It is classic Merchants of Doubt strategy. Pielke and Curry are solid, and hopefully they’ll make strong statements about Smith and Infofe’s denialism. I don’t think it is fair to call them “tools” — they are using the science they study to add resolution and nuance to a discussion that should at times be tempered. Things are clearly changing, and we should focus on that. Extreme predictions distract from the problem, especially if they don’t come to pass.