Scientists around the world agree on this Climate change It's real, it's happening now, and it's caused by combustion Fossil fuels. However, there are many myths that persist about climate change.
Most myths about climate change have been perpetuated by fossil fuel companies, their political allies, and others concerned about climate change. the current situation. For decades, they have spent millions of dollars on advertising and think tank “studies.” Lobbyists To confuse the public, policy makers and the press and thus hinder climate action.
This has led some journalists to tone down their coverage – for example, not linking climate change with extreme weather – misleading the general public. This guide helps you identify these myths and learn how to debunk them.
Myth 1: Scientists don't agree on climate change
fact that:More than 99% of scientists in climate We agree that human activity is warming the planet.
clarification: Few, if any, scientific issues such as climate change have been studied and discussed. Scientific consensus is overwhelming and enduring. Kate Marvel, a climate scientist at NASA, says: “We are more certain that the gases are… Global Warming It causes more climate change than we know that smoking causes cancer.” Scientists overwhelmingly agree that burning oil, coal and gas is warming the planet. The scientific consensus is overwhelming that burning fossil fuels is causing the global temperature scale to rise dangerously.
Myth 2: Climate change is a political hoax
fact that: The laws of physics do not care about political ideologies. Human-induced climate change is a scientific fact, as almost every scientific institution on the planet has concluded.
clarificationPolitical leaders across the ideological spectrum, from Miami Mayor Francis Suarez on the right to US Senator Bernie Sanders on the left, have supported action to avert climate catastrophe. National, state, and local governments of various political persuasions around the world are taking these steps. There is overwhelming scientific consensus that burning fossil fuels is dangerously warming the planet
Myth 3: It is not possible to know that humans are causing climate change
fact that: We can, we know. Global temperatures and levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere have risen steadily since humans began burning large amounts of coal and other fossil fuels during the Industrial Revolution. (Source: NASA)
clarification: NASA, NOAA, the UK Meteorological Service, the Japan Meteorological Service, and the European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts are just a few of the major scientific institutions that have compiled these temperature and carbon dioxide records. . Scientists know beyond doubt from studying ancient temperature and carbon dioxide data that human activity is the driver of climate change.
Myth 4: The climate is always changing, and today is no different
fact that: It is true that the Earth's climate has changed before. But that didn't happen as quickly as it does now, due to 250 years of burning fossil fuels.
clarification: The current release rate for carbon Human-caused “unprecedented over the past 66 million years,” according to a study published in the scientific journal nature 2016. Scientists agree that the climate has never changed so rapidly in human history and that these changes are a result of the burning of fossil fuels, seriously threatening human well-being.
Myth 5: There's nothing we can do about climate change, so why should we care?
fact that: Scientists have repeatedly stated that humanity already has the tools and technologies needed to stop climate change and avoid its worst effects. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Synthesis Report (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change(abbreviated in English) Classifies the five main approaches that could limit the increase in global temperature to 1.5°C.
clarification: Humans will have to live with today's warmer temperatures for many years, but we can still greatly reduce future damage if we take strong action now. Climate solutions are plentiful, common sense, and often economically superior to current practices. Many governments and companies are already implementing green energy solutions, mass transit, coastal resilience, and climate-smart agriculture. The Drawdown project also has a long list of specific solutions to reduce emissions.
Myth 6: We cannot live without oil
fact thatModern societies cannot give up oil overnight, but falling costs and the rapid expansion of solar, wind and other renewable energy sources show that we can give up fossil fuels if we want.
clarificationThe idea that a healthy economy and a healthy environment cannot go hand in hand is a pernicious myth long promoted by fossil fuel companies and other special interests. Today's economy is still largely oil-based, but in many cases, solar and other renewable energy sources are becoming less expensive than fossil fuels.
Myth 7: What about China? Other countries are worse
fact that: The United States issued more Greenhouse gases Than any other country in history. Recently, China surpassed the United States as the country with the highest annual emissions. But what matters in the atmosphere are cumulative emissions, not annual ones, which makes the United States of America most responsible for climate change.
clarification: Climate change is, by definition, a global challenge. This problem will only be addressed if all countries, especially top emitters such as the United States and China, phase out fossil fuels. Although annual emissions in the United States have declined slightly in recent years, the United States remains the largest climate polluter in history, followed by China.
Myth 8: A temperature increase of 1.5 degrees Celsius is not special
fact that: Global temperatures are currently about 1.2°C above pre-industrial levels. This increase has already exacerbated the extreme weather conditions recorded around the world. The effects will intensify as we approach 1.5°C.
clarification: A temperature difference of 1.2°C does not seem like much to the average person. But the climate system doesn't work that way. Look at the devastating effects that are already being felt around the world after “only” a 1.2 degree Celsius increase in temperature. A two degree rise in temperature may seem trivial, but scientists say that even the current rise of 1.2 degrees Celsius is causing the extreme weather that now afflicts much of the planet.
Brian Casey/Losa
Myth 9: People, plants, and animals can adapt to climate change
fact that: Adaptation has been a feature of successful species for hundreds of millions of years. But there are strict limits to how quickly – and to what extent – people, plants and animals can adapt.
clarification: Today's rapid rise in temperatures and changing rainfall patterns make it difficult for many species to adapt. 2019 report of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity Ecosystem Services has warned that one million species of animals and plants are at risk of extinction, thanks to climate change and habitat destruction. Adaptation is essential in the age of climate change, but it will only help much if we don't stop the planet from warming.
Myth 10: No one cares about climate change
fact that: People around the world are increasingly concerned about climate change and want to know how to stop it.
clarification: Yale University's Program on Climate Change Communication found that 66% of Americans are “somewhat concerned” or “very concerned” about climate change. A 2021 Pew Research Center poll in 16 countries found that 72% of people are “somewhat” or “very” concerned that climate change will harm them personally.
Moreover, the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism found that most people in the United States — especially people under 40 — want more news about climate change. Growing survey data indicates that the majority of people are concerned about climate change and, above all, want to know how to solve this problem.
This text is part of the initiative Cover climate nowa global journalistic collaboration involving PÚBLICO/Azul that aims to strengthen coverage of the climate story.
