Debunking 5 Common Climate Change Myths

7 minute read

• Misinformation about climate change runs rampant online and in the media

• We debunk some of the myths about climate change so you can talk to climate skeptics

• Use evidence and compassion to convince skeptics to join the fight against climate change

Most of us have come across at least one family member, co-worker, or friend who is skeptical about climate change. Some politicians and pundits make claims about climate change with no scientific evidence, and sometimes people believe them anyway. It can be overwhelming and difficult to convince them of what 97 percent of climate scientists agree on: human-caused climate change is happening. We’re going to debunk five of the most common climate change myths, so bookmark this for the next time you’re in one of those tough conversations.

MYTH #1 - Climate change is just part of a natural cycle.

FACT: While the climate does change -- from periods of sweltering heat to ice ages -- these changes occur over thousands of years. The change we’re experiencing occurred in just about 150 years. This extremely rapid rate of change proves that the rise in global average temperatures we are experiencing is caused by human actions, particularly the burning of fossil fuels. Burning fossil fuels produces carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that traps heat close to the Earth’s surface instead of allowing it to escape to space. While carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere go up and down over thousands of years, these levels have never been this high in the last 800,000 years. The levels we are seeing are NOT part of a natural cycle.

Source: Climate.gov

This graph shows the station's monthly average carbon dioxide measurements since 1960 in parts per million (ppm). The seasonal cycle of highs and lows (small peaks and valleys) is driven by summertime growth and winter decay of Northern Hemisphere vegetation. The long-term trend of rising carbon dioxide levels is driven by human activities. NOAA Climate.gov image, based on data from NOAA Global Monitoring Lab.

MYTH #2 - Scientists don’t agree on climate change.

FACT: Multiple studies from peer-reviewed journals conclude that at least 97 percent of climate scientists agree with the following statement: “Climate-warming trends over the past century are extremely likely due to human activities.” You can also find a list of scientific societies, science academies, U.S. government agencies, and intergovernmental bodies that agree with that statement here.

MYTH #3 - Any temperature changes are just from the sun.

FACT: Changes in energy output from the sun can cause the Earth to enter ice ages or hotter periods, but these changes occur over thousands of years, not the 150 year period we’re observing. Ice/melt cycles generally occur over a period of 100,00 years. Additionally, in the past 150 years, the sun’s energy output is actually trending down, which doesn’t explain why global temperatures are rising. 

Source: NASA

This graph compares global surface temperature changes (red line) and the Sun's energy that Earth receives (yellow line) in watts (units of energy) per square meter since 1880. The lighter/thinner lines show the yearly levels while the heavier/thicker lines show the 11-year average trends. Eleven-year averages are used to reduce the year-to-year natural noise in the data, making the underlying trends more obvious.

MYTH #4 - Cold weather still exists, so climate change can’t be happening.

FACT: Weather and climate are two different concepts. Weather reflects the short-term conditions of the Earth’s atmosphere, changing by the day, hour, or minute. Climate refers to the patterns of weather in an area over a long period of time. So while there can still be cold snaps and blizzard conditions, on average global temperatures are still rising.

Source: NASA

Earth’s surface continues to significantly warm, with recent global temperatures being the hottest in the past 2,000-plus years.

MYTH #5 - It’s only a few degrees, it won’t be that bad.

FACT: Global average temperatures have increased by 1℃ (1.8 ℉) since 1880. This might not seem like a big deal but a drop in one or two degrees sent the Earth into the Little Ice Age. At the rate we are emitting CO2, scientists predict that we will reach 1.5℃ warming between 2030 and 2052. Many experts believe that we cannot prevent this warming, but we have a chance to avoid 2℃. Both scenarios will result in negative effects for people and the planet, with 2℃ obviously having the worst outcomes. The New York Times published a great article with graphics that can help you learn more about how ice sheets, heat waves, water supply, plant and animal populations, coral reefs, sea level rise, and crops will be affected in each scenario.

Conclusion

As long as misinformation and misconceptions are repeated by climate change deniers, people will continue to be confused and skeptical about climate change. When those people cross our paths the best thing we can do is try to present the evidence to them in the clearest and kindest way. The more people who believe the evidence and see climate change as the huge challenge that it is, the more people we will have in the fight against the climate crisis.