James Hanson et al.’s recent paper is somewhat controversial among other mainstream climate scientists, in that the conclusions drawn frame a much faster and dramatic climatic shift driven by previously larger than predicted Atlantic meridional overturning slowdown. Some mainstream climate scientists have called into question Hanson’s motivations or conflict of interest in these findings, as he’s been seen as an activist for climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts, taking part as a plaintiff in a lawsuit against the EPA for failing to regulate carbon emissions. His political efforts are motivated by his knowledge as a climate scientist, but should he lose credibility as far as his research is concerned?