Four Great Websites that Debunk the Deniers: How to Talk to a Climate Sceptic

You may have heard the rubbish: The earth is in a ‘cooling phase,’ lots of scientists disagree, look at all the snow we had this winter, and more. It’s all garbage, and mostly recycled trash at that. Unfortunately, there are still many who believe it – perhaps because they read it in the National Post, or heard it on Fox News, or heard our Prime Minister or George Bush say it. There are many, many more who think there may be a little bit of truth, so there’s no rush to act.

When I was in my ‘climate sceptic’ phase I actually researched many of the claims and discovered them to be bogus, but not everyone has time to do that. Fortunately, others have taken the time to assemble lists of the common claims, and to show they are:

• outdated
• exaggerated
• outright fabrications

For those who are interested, here are excellent sites to send deniers to:

1. How to Talk to a Climate Skeptic
2. Skeptical Science: Examining the science of global warming skepticism
3. Fibs, Frauds, and Whoppers
4. The Royal Society

#1 and #2 are very detailed and ideal for the hard-core sceptic. [Thanks to Martin for reminding me about #2.] They cover every conceivable argument in detail, with graphs and scientific references galore, yet are still easy to read. #1 is indexed by argument and degree of denial required to actually believe the claims. #2 lists the arguments one-by-one.

#3 was originally put together by John Moore from the radio station CFRB, but it is gone and thanks to redditor DSchmitt for tracking down a mirror! Moore thinks climate deniers are a dying and irrelevant breed. His final words on the matter:

My favourite sentiment (aside from “shut the f*ck up”) is the notion that the deniers are somehow not being given their due. It’s no coincidence that this sentiment is at the heart of evolution denial. Even Lysiane Gagnon in this column in The Globe and Mail employs the false logic that the truth must lie somewhere between climate science and warming denial. So do we broker a deal between flat earthers and science out of a sense of fairness? Is the earth oval?

#4 is The Royal Society (UK), “an excellent site that lists 8 main denier lines of argument and debunks each of them clearly and simply.”

A word of caution: In my travels, I have run across people who cannot and will not be convinced, at least at this point in their development, regardless of these things we call facts. As far as I can tell, this is because these people have a religious belief in ‘the market’ to solve all problems. As a result, they see climate change as some sort of ‘socialist’ attack on ‘the market,’ and respond with religious fervor and no sense whatsoever. Our Prime Minister and Environment Minister fall into this category, and this fact alone should disqualify them from holding any high office.

Also, anyone who quotes an economist against the reality of climate change is automatically disqualified. Anyone who doesn’t understand the reason why economists are disqualified is also disqualified.

Elizabeth May once took some heat for comparing Stephen Harper and the other fiddlers to Neville Chamberlain’s appeasement of Hitler pre-World War II. If we don’t get moving on this climate crisis, Mr. Harper will be very lucky to be compared only to Chamberlain.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper once called the Kyoto accord a “socialist scheme” designed to suck money out of rich countries….

“I’m talking about the ‘battle of Kyoto’ — our campaign to block the job-killing, economy-destroying Kyoto accord.”

It’s up to us. Get out there and spread the word.