global warming <crowd>

[flyingcat2008]

THE global warming crowd has a problem. For all of its warnings, and despite a steady escalation of greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere, the planet’s average surface temperature has remained pretty much the same for the last 15 years.

From New York Times :A Pause, Not an End, to Warming

Hi, everyone!
Crowd means a lot of people. What does it exact meaning in this situation? Its refers to the crowd?

Thanks!

 

[Smauler]

It means the scientific community that predicted more global warming.

 

[flyingcat2008]

thank you very much~~

 

[sound shift]

Yes, it means "the people who assert that global warming is occurring", but I also feel that the decision to use the word crowd here indicates that the author is disdainful of the idea that these people are propagating and, by extension, of the people themselves.

 

[RM1(SS)]

I also feel that the decision to use the word crowd here indicates that the author is disdainful of the idea that these people are propagating and, by extension, of the people themselves.

I agree.

 

[flyingcat2008]

Thanks all. I understand better now~