There are forces at work who would have us believe climate change isn’t real. They spread disinformation and doubt, aiming to sway those predisposed to a cynical view of their world.
What we need are simple facts to counter the lies. This ‘Debunked’ article aims to do that.
1. Myth: “Scientists don’t agree on climate change.”
Fact: Over 99% of climate scientists agree that human activity is causing global warming. This consensus is stronger than the link between smoking and cancer.
2. Myth: “Climate change is a political hoax.”
Fact: Climate change is a scientific reality, confirmed by every major scientific institution worldwide. Physics doesn’t care about politics.
3. Myth: “We can’t prove humans are causing it.”
Fact: The rise in global temperatures and CO₂ levels directly correlates with the industrial-era burning of fossil fuels. Climate models that include human emissions match observed warming; those that don’t, don’t.
4. Myth: “It’s just natural cycles.”
Fact: Natural factors like solar activity and volcanic eruptions cannot explain the current rate of warming. Only human emissions do.
5. Myth: “It’s been cold lately—so much for global warming.”
Fact: Weather is not climate. Short-term cold snaps don’t disprove long-term warming trends. In fact, climate change can disrupt jet streams, making extreme cold more likely in some regions.
6. Myth: “CO₂ is just plant food—it’s not pollution.”
Fact: While plants need CO₂, excess levels trap heat in the atmosphere. Too much CO₂ disrupts ecosystems and ocean chemistry.
7. Myth: “Climate change isn’t that bad—we’ll adapt.”
Fact: Unchecked warming leads to sea level rise, crop failures, extreme weather, and mass displacement. Adaptation alone won’t be enough.
8. Myth: “Renewables can’t power the world.”
Fact: Studies show that wind, solar, hydro, and storage can meet global energy needs affordably and reliably with the right infrastructure.
9. Myth: “Climate action is too expensive.”
Fact: The cost of inaction—from disasters, health impacts, and lost productivity—is far higher than the cost of transitioning to clean energy.
10. Myth: “Climate change is just a scare tactic.”
Fact: It’s a measurable, observable phenomenon with decades of peer-reviewed science behind it. Denial often stems from vested interests in fossil fuels.
Further Reading and Resources
– 10 Climate Change Myths Debunked – Covering Climate Now
– What Are Climate Misinformation and Disinformation? – UNDP Climate Promise
– What Impact Do Climate Change Misinformation and Disinformation Have? – UK Government Report https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/climate-change-misinformation-impacts/what-impact-do-climate-change-misinformation-and-disinformation-have-html
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