How to Respond to Climate Science Deniers
We have an appalling situation at present, where the media gives credence to politicians both here and in the USA that deny climate science, when they have no qualifications whatsoever.
Around 97% of climate scientists say that climate change is manmade (the other 3% are mostly employed by fossil fuel companies).
When asked how much of climate change is caused by humans, Dr John Cook (author of the book above) replies simply ‘nearly all of it’. He says that climate change deniers use 5 techniques to try to dupe others:
- Fake experts
- Logical fallacies
- Impossible expectations
- Cherry picking
- Conspiracy theories
Are Solar Flares Causing Climate Change?
This is an argument often given out by climate science deniers. In fact, NASA science says this is not correct. The sun can influence Earth’s climate, but is not responsible for warming trends in the last decades.
Solar activity is too small for the rapid warming trend, something supported by satellite data and climate models, so greenhouse gases (from fossil fuels and the livestock industry) being the main causes.
Facts vs Climate Science Denial
Rainforest Alliance has a good article on the 6 main arguments given by climate science denials, along with the scientific responses:
Cold winters means there’s no global warming.
Climate and weather are not the same thing. Climate refers to long-term trends like droughts and floods.
Climate change is natural
Although history has had warm and cool periods, the present situation is not natural, humans are now emitting greenhouse gases at a fair higher rate than anytime in history.
Scientists differ in their beliefs.
No, they don’t. Around 97% of climate science all say that humans are creating global warming.
Plants and animals can adapt.
Climate change is now so rapidly, that other creatures don’t have time to adapt. Global warming is affecting migration, breeding and survival.
Climate change is good for us.
Some people even say warmer weather is good for holidays and tourism! In fact, it’s causing crop failures, droughts, floods and wildfires that are wiping out homes and livelihoods.
And if you’re a climate change denier and Reform UK supporter, know that the effects of climate change in other countries will lead to mass migrations, and likely more ‘people on boats’.
Nothing can be done – it’s too late.
Almost, but not quite. Watered-down policies of conventional political parties means it will be too late. That’s why we need super-powers like Greta, who tell the truth to big power, and perhaps there is still hope.
Worrying Trends in British Politics
Recently, we have seen both Reform UK and Kemi Badenoch rip up plans for action on climate change, in order to provide ‘cheap energy’ (this would be far better done by building naturally insulated homes from all the waste straw that is presently burned to make cheap straw bale homes, and freely insulating all older homes in England).
Energy prices are set on the international market (oil companies own all extracted gas and oil) so unless they decide to bring down energy prices, more drilling won’t help. The North Sea is also running out of gas anyway.
Badenoch’s desperate attempt to sound like Donald Trump on climate change, is taking her party further away from the needs of ordinary people. For a mainstream political party to turn its back on the science in a desperate race because it threatens their profits, is political suicide. Friends of the Earth
In 2022, temperatures reaches a previously impossible 40c, causing excess deaths. Firefighters are having to battle both wildfires and floods. Farmers’ crop yields are hit by extreme drought and floods. We are running out of time. Yet Reform UK wish to scrap climate action. Campaign Against Climate Change
Why does Nigel Farage want me to lose my job? Worker in a Merseyside factory that makes electric cars
Listen to Greta Thunberg (she knows her science)
One of life’s modern mysteries is why the media and some politicians seem to have such an issue with Greta Thunberg. Yes, she was an angry teenager, and rightly so. Because she knows her climate science, and has looked on aghast at world leaders who have left the Paris Climate Agreement, which basically will destroy the planet, by the time she is middle-aged.
While many young women are obsessed with celebrity and taking selfies, this inspirational and intelligent young women (with Asperger’s syndrome) has been responsible for almost single-handedly bringing the climate change debate to cabinet meetings, and galvanised a generation into taking peaceful action.
Against climate change which is already causing floods, wildfires, crop losses, higher bills and world hunger. Some people ‘feel tired of her warnings’. But you’ll appreciate her, if and when she saves the planet. And so will your children and grandchildren.
Daughter of a Swedish actor and opera singer (her mother sang in Eurovision!), Greta’s journey started of course, when she calmly went on ‘strike from school’ and peacefully protested outside the Swedish Parliament, which led to a worldwide ‘Fridays for a Future’ movement.
Trump and Vance have accused her of just being an irrelevance (a girl with ‘anger management issues’) while others who praise her, still don’t take any notice of her warnings. Recently, Kemi Badenoch has dismayed Teresa May, with plans to rip up all the climate work done. And Reform UK have no climate change policies at all.
Wise Words from Greta Thunberg
My message is that we’ll be watching you. This is all wrong. I shouldn’t be up there. I should be back in school. Yet you all come to us young people for hope. How dare you. You have stolen my dreams and my childhood, with your empty words.
Build back better. Blah, blah, blah. Green economy. Blah blah blah. Net zero by 2050. Blah blah blah. This is all we hear from our so-called leaders. People are suffering and dying. Entire ecosystems are collapsing. We are in the beginning of a mass extinction. And all you can talk about is money and fairy tales of eternal economic growth. How dare you!
Either we prevent 1.5 degree (Celsius) of warming or we don’t. Either we avoid setting off that irreversible chain reaction beyond human control or we don’t. Either we choose to go on as a civilisation or we don’t. That is as black or white as it gets. There are no grey areas when it comes to survival.
Science Supporting Greta’s Warnings
Greta’s message is that climate change is driving freak weather like frequent heatwaves and more intense rainfall. It’s also bleaching coral reefs and trapping greenhouse gases.
Contrary to what some of the media say, Greta does not fly everywhere. She always goes by boat, lives simply (she’s vegan) and donated the prize from a peace award to environmental charities.
She wants the 9 main ways to reduce climate change to be taken seriously by governments:
- Make your voice heard (write to MPs and councillors, and use your vote).
- Eat less meat and dairy. Find plant-based recipes to start you off.
- Cut back on flying. Read tips to go greener at the airport.
- Leave the car at home. Read tips on greener transport.
- Reduce your energy use and bills.
- Respect and protect green spaces.
- Bank and invest your money responsibly.
- Cut consumption and waste.
- Talk about the changes you make!
Reform UK policies (could create more floods & wildfires)
Beavers at risk from Reform UK (Holly Astle)
We all know that Reform UK has a huge lead in the polls, mostly due to its policies on illegal immigration. But you’d likely be surprised at the party’s other policies. Whatever party you support, read the full manifestos (all available online) before you vote, rather than just watching Question Time or listening to soundbites in short interviews.
Some of Reform UK’s policies are good (scrapping HS2 which Barn Owl Trust says is ‘a very expensive way of killing owls’), reducing bureaucracy and protecting pensioners. But it also has some very concerning policies.
It’s really important whoever you vote for (and we are fortunate to live in a democracy where you can vote for who you like) to read the manifestos, or visit the website to look up policies. Don’t just rely on soundbites or a short interview or someone appearing on Question Time.
This is the rest of your life (and of others). So do your homework, before you put the x in the box at the ballot station.
Reform UK was started as a private company with Nigel Farage holding most shares. Today it’s still a company (non-profit) and political party.
Open Democracy writes that it’s received over £5 million from wealthy donors (linked to fossil fuels and tax havens), leading some to claim this is a ‘party of millionaires, funded by billionaires who claim to be on the side of working people’.
Supports Zero Hour Contracts
In fact, one policy is for zero hour contracts, meaning that if you got fired, your boss could hire you back on less pay. And no sick pay (so terrible for stable incomes and contracts needed, to pay rent and secure mortgages).
Green leader Zack Polanksi visited Nigel’s constituency of Clacton-on-Sea soon after his win, and explained this policy to one man who had voted Reform UK. He was shocked, saying ‘I thought he was supposed to be on our side?’
Why does Nigel Farage want me to lose my job? Worker in a Merseyside factory that makes electric cars
Ignoring the Paris Climate Agreement
Ignoring the Paris Climate Agreement by drilling for more North Sea oil and gas, which will lead to more natural disasters (floods, heatwaves, wildfires, rising sea levels, oil spills). Conservatives are going the same way, though it looks like they are finished as a party anyway, so their policies are no longer really relevant. Read more on how to respond to climate science deniers.
In 2022, temperatures reaches a previously impossible 40c, causing excess deaths. Firefighters are having to battle both wildfires and floods. Farmers’ crop yields are hit by extreme drought and floods.
We are running out of time. Yet Reform UK wish to scrap climate action. Campaign Against Climate Change
Supports Nuclear Energy
Policies include small nuclear reactors, mining for electric batteries, ‘clean coal mining’, and fast-track licenses to drill for oil and coal in the North Sea, compensating local people?
Also to give licenses for shale gas (fracking) which can cause fire to come out of tap water, and possible earthquakes and even cancer in local communities.
Fast-tracking nuclear energy, so antiquated and dangerous, that England’s only remaining plant (Sellafield in Cumbria) is being decommissioned, which will take decades.
Austria and New Zealand have no nuclear power, investing in walkable communities and organic local food, for economies that need far less oil.
The promise to bring down energy bills by £500 from unlocking oil and gas reserves could still be achieved by creating skilled jobs to insulate all older homes.
Use Rewilded Land to Industrial Farmland
The party wants to stop rewilding (leaving land to nature to restore endangered wildlife) to turn land over to agricultural land for farmers.
We can still support nature-friendly farming, without making dormice and water voles going extinct.
Bring Back ‘Country Sports’ (hunting)
Protecting ‘country sports’ which means a return to animal hunting (which again causes floods by removing endangered peat bogs, for grouse shooting). Over-breeding of pheasants also leads to a huge number of car accidents.
Supports Trickledown Economics
Trickle-down economics (tax cuts for the rich to provide jobs for the poor) never works. Rather than pursuing economic growth, progressive countries in Scandinavia (and Costa Rica) have switched to a Happiness Index, which focuses on quality of life.
A Basic Income would enable carers, parents, part-time workers and volunteers to live well, creating a ”people’s army’ to become the great nation that Reform UK presumably wants us to be.
