Debunking common climate change myths
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — In the age of disinformation, there are various climate change myths being pushed, often by special interests to sow confusion and doubt about the clear-cut science behind human-caused climate change.
We will address five common myths:
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Myth: Climate change is natural; what we are seeing is nothing new.
Answer: Climate has always changed naturally. That is true. But modern climate change is due mainly to the burning of fossil fuels and land use changes. The difference is that natural climate change happens over thousands of years, while the pace of modern-day climate change is happening at least 10X faster.
Myth: It’s been the coldest winter on record. So much for global warming.
Answer: Cold winters still happen in some regions from time to time. But zoom out and you will see, each and every year lately, that warm winters are much more common all around the Earth.
Myth: There’s no consensus among scientists that climate change is real.
Answer: Several studies over the past decade have concluded that the consensus – that climate change is happening and caused by humans – among scientists who study climate is near 100%. It started at around 93% about a decade ago, and now the number is close to 100%. A recent Cornel study found consensus at 99.9%.
Myth: Why should we trust climate models?
Answer: Climate models have been incredibly accurate in predicting the average rise in global temperatures. Exxon’s models from the 70s/80s and 90s were very close, and in some cases nearly perfect on both the expected rise in carbon dioxide and also temperatures. The famous climate scientist James Hansen’s climate model from 1988 was also very accurate showing nearly the exact amount of warming we have experienced since.
Myth: OK, climate change is real. But it’s too late to do anything.
Answer: Climate change is arguably the largest challenge collective humanity has ever faced. It won’t be easy. But we know what the cause is, we know exactly how to fix and finally, we have most of the solutions. What we lack right now is agreement on how to proceed and the willpower to do the hard work needed. But the question is: Why do we have such limited imagination? Why can’t we envision an even better world, with a cleaner environment and less strife, if we take the actions needed to tackle the climate challenge? We have to believe it is possible because of one simple fact, failure is not an option.
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