Global Climate Change – Debunking Myths
A reader just sent me this terrific handbook for debunking myths. Though it applies to myths of any sort, the examples it provides pertain to global climate change. What an interesting coincidence that it was just yesterday that I came across PBS’s recent broadcast of “The News Hour” that had actively perpetuated myths in this space.
The “Debunking myths” item was very good, but it could use some improvement.
What about educational level? Are people who have not been graduated from high school more prone to accepting myths as fact? Does having a college degree help people to think more clearly? Does it matter which degree a person has?
Answers to these questions would expedite targeting anti-myths efforts more effectively.
This is an excellent piece of work by Cook and Lewandowsky. One of the clearest guides I have come across for how to engage with the masses of people who are unable to hear the important science from the backgound ‘noise’ created by the knuckle-draggers hell bent on resisting moves towards a sustainable planet.
Education isn’t a guarantee that people do not form their world view based upon misinformation if it suits their temperament, self-interest, religious beliefs etc. The techniques in the Debunking paper will help to get a message across to the gullable of all levels of acadamic achievement.