Climate Myth-Busters

Partly because of the science involved, and partly because of a tendancy to stick our heads in the sand, people tend to bandy around various myths about climate change. This happens everywhere- from down the pub, to the Chamber of the Scottish Parliament. It is important that we can tell the difference between fact and fiction, so here are a few common claims about climate change:

Myth 1

"Whats happening now is nothing strange- there have always been changes in the climate"

Yes, the climate has always changed- it's a delicate system affected by multiple factors- no-one denies that. But letting that distract us from the scientifically proven effects of human activity since industrialisation is a luxury we can't afford. What is happening now is a raped change in weather patterns and global average temperature, unprecedented since Met Office records began. This change- too fast for many ecosystems to adapt to, and predicted to have very serious consequences within the next 50-100 years- is something which is within our capabilities to avoid.

Myth 2

"Global warming means we'll get better weather in Scotland"

While the overall warming is measured across global averages, local patterns will vary dramatically- we're talking about increasingly extreme weather events (which may include extreme cold), interspersed with periods of more normal weather. And scientists now believe that unbalancing the delicate climate system is 50% likely (over the next 100 years) to result in the shut-down of the Gulf Stream. This could leave us with a climate similar to that of Labrador, Canada.

Myth 3

"Uncertainty about the effects of climate change hampers policy making"

Uncertainty is a non-argument. Governments act when it is in their interests to act. "the global war on terror had no cost-benefit analysis, no uncertainty analysis, no enquiry about efficacy of the methods used to pursue the ends," - as we were reminded by the chair of one session at the Hadley Centre Scientific Meeting on Dangerous Climate Change (February 2005)

Myth 4

"We can't afford to reduce our emissions- it would distroy our economy"

Tony Blair and others have said that taking action to reduce emissions is affordable. Professor John Schellnhuber, research director of the Tyndall Centre of Climate Change Research at the University of East Anglia has reported that the cost of averting runaway climate change could be as low as 0.3% of global GDP.

We also need to set any costs against the cost of not talking action. The financial cost of natural disasters caused by extreme weather events, the disruption and potential collsape of food supplie, spread of disease resulting from climate change, and new water shortages resulting from droughts would all hit the global economy hard.

Myth 5

"This is a plot to overthrow capitalism and stop me enjoying my car"

It is nothing of the kind. Margaret Thatcher, John Major, the heads of British Petroleum and Shell Oil, the Confederation of British Industry, the Insurance industry all now acknowledge the threat and make strong statements of concerm. Tony Blair calls it the "most serious" challenge of the 21st Century. (Of course, none of them actually do anything, but that's another story). In fact the only government leader who has denied the problem is George W Bush whose political campaign was largely funded by oil companies. (Although he did finally admit there was a problem at this years G8 meeting. But what this just a ploy to hush the campaigners without actually haveing to take any actions?)

Myth 6

"It's the fault of the US"

The US is a huge burner of fossil fuels, twice as much per person as in Britain and this is a serious problem. By all means we need to put pressure on the US. But we in Britain are still among the largest emitters of greenhouse gases and we have a responsibility to take a lead and sort out our own role on solving this global problem that we help to create.

Myth 7

It's a fault of the developing countries/ovepopulation

Emissions per person from developing countries are still far, far below ours (we emit ten times as much per person as someone in india, for example). What is more, the greenhouse gases currently in the atmosphere are the result of the rich world's emissions over the past 100 years, so we bear a historical responsibility for the problem we created.

having said that, ot's true that China and India also have rapidly increasing emissions and that within 25 years the emissions from thr so-called developing world is likely to exceed those of the rich world. That is why the issue of climate change has to be tackled on a global level, and why many people are searching for equitable ways to do this, recognising that the problemhas been created largely by the wealthy northern countries. It is in the whole world's interests to solve this together.

Taken from "Rising to the Climate Challenge- a myth busting toolkit for everyone" by Scottish education and action for development.