Yes, except MC did a rather cute trick, he included charts, graphs and footnotes in a work of fiction.
all part of the story probably. Tolkein did similar things with LOtR
Michael Crichton apparently took 3 years to write the book, and even though it is set in a fictional novel, reflects his personal conclusions. At least this is what I read from an interview transcript.
I would say he argues his points persuasively in the context of a fictional novel. While he is no environmental "expert", he is an intelligent, well educated person who knows how to reach logical conclusions.
This is more than can be said for many of the rabid "real" environmental "experts".
MC researched the facts in preparation for this book without automatically buying into the religion of man-made global warming. He sought the facts, not the catachism - that upsets some folks.