Firstly, the above is a ‘Facebook friend’s’ status and the cause for much consternation. According to a recent opinion poll, nearly half of Britain still isn’t convinced that we’re to blame for climate change. And with freezing temperatures and streets looking like Christmas cards, how to convince them? For a worryingly large number of people, the recent weather conditions alone are enough to disprove climate change.

It seems a strange time for climate change scepticism to be coming to the fore. The Copenhagen climate conference could and should have marked a meaningful turning point in global approach. It could have united concerned peoples, fostered emerging ideas and concreted strong, effectual policy. COP15 could have marked the end of widespread climate change scepticism. It seems obvious. Why on earth would so many people spend so much time and money to meet in Copenhagen to discuss a myth? Instead however, COP15 seems to have coincided with a resurgence of climate change denial. And, just as bad, our leaders have let us down. Ed Miliband’s passing reference to the conference as a ‘farce’ was perhaps one of the most meaningful conclusions by a British delegate. In many ways though, dwelling on the inadequate and frankly embarrassing Copenhagen Accord would be just as unproductive as the conference itself.

If governments can’t face following the clear advice of climate scientists, then it is up to the masses. The populations of countries are even more disparate collections of people than the Copenhagen delegates yet it seems that it is us, not the few in positions of public authority, who hold the key to a more secure future.

The first step is convincing people of anthropogenic climate change; teaching them the science. It’s easy to think that this has already been achieved, it just depends on who you are around. Being at university and around friends and family at home, I may conclude that the general public understands the gravity of climate change and is ready and willing to act. It is a rosy picture. In reality though, many people do not ‘buy’ climate change. And while, ethically, we are taught to ‘respect other people’s opinions’, climate change may be considered immune to this moral doctrine. We must consider why people reject the reality of climate change, usually it is a lack of understanding. By addressing the reasons for denial, many non-believers may be converted.

Just as it is perceived moral wisdom to ‘respect other people’s opinions’, scientific practice advocates debate. In the case of climate change however, the debate that occurs is often between the well-informed (eminent climate scientists) and the mis- or under-informed (the sceptics). The basic science of anthropogenic climate change is unequivocal, yet people attempt to equivocate. Of course, scientific debate is paramount to progress but this kind of debate is useless. When valuable and scientifically worthy alternatives to human-induced climate change come along, let them be aired; but as it is, picking apart the work of some of the most accomplished scientists in the world is misleading and counterproductive.

“But climate science is drenched in hyperbole!” I hear the sceptics cry. Until very recently, such accusations appeared basically unfounded. Recently though, climate sceptics looking for ‘evidence’ have had an easy time of it. Deniers may now blurt “What about UEA? Those emails were clearly evidence that the science is being manipulated!” or “Look at tree-hugger Gore, making up the statistics as he goes along in Copenhagen; what a what A Convenient Lie”. However, clinging to these meagre scraps of ‘evidence’ reflects an ignorance of realities; neither event by any means showed clear, meditated attempts to mislead. Science should never, under any circumstances, be manipulated; it should be the closest to ‘fact’ we can achieve. And, although it has not occurred, what motivation would there be to manipulate the figures anyway? To encourage effective action on climate change; to save millions of lives? What shocking malintentions those would be.

Scientists are probably scared. They, more than any, know that humanity is facing a scenario of potentially apocalyptic nature (although let’s not be hyperbolic about it), therefore they are struggling to convey the message as effectively as possible. For them, the crude data is enough evidence for drastic action, for legally binding emissions targets. Yet, evidently, not even the leaders of the world, let alone ordinary citizens, have sufficiently understood our reality.

The message of climate change is not being received. “Earth to Humankind – I think we have a problem”. Communications are failing and we are all at fault. Every level of society has a part to play in the clarity of the climate change message. Climate change is sometimes referred to as ‘the new religion’. Dubious connotations aside, if we do view climate change as a religion it is one which everyone must follow. Unlike theological religion, its teachings should be determinedly spread in order to convert the masses. Scientists, governments, the media and citizens must be the missionaries.

Tags: climate change, climate change deniers, climate sceptics, COP15, Copenhagen

This entry was posted on Sunday, December 27th, 2009 at 8:48 pm and is filed under Environmental Issues, In The News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.