Clearing the Confusion about Climate Change

The popularity of ecological responsibility has exploded in recent years; there's no doubt about that. But have you ever wondered what took so long? Part of the reason is, unsurprisingly, conflicting media reports about climate change. Most of us tend to put a lot of stock in something that we read in the paper or hear in an interview, but warring "facts" can be confusing and prevent many people from acting. How do you wade through the confusion and get to the bottom of sources and their claims? Here are a couple of sites to check out:

DeSmogBlog is a comprehensive source to "clear the PR pollution that is clouding the science on climate change." The site aims to provide background information on organizations and individuals who present skeptical views on the reality of climate change. In its database, DeSmogBlog provides academic and major employment backgrounds. I was a bit unsettled to read how many of these skeptics have received funding from oil or tobacco companies, and how many haven't published any articles in peer-reviewed journals.

Another good resource for researching climate change claims is NewScientist's Climate change: A guide for the perplexed. It has detailed, easy to digest information about commonly-heard misconceptions as "It's been warmer in the past", "Scientists are unsure about climate change" and, probably the most depressing myth, "We can't do anything about it."

Sensationalism can happen on both sides of the climate change table, and it can be overwhelming to face a media onslaught of wildly differing reports. However, there are many ways you can perform your own research and cut through the confusion about climate change. Staying properly informed against hype, both good and bad, can be your number one asset in ecological responsibility.

Sources:
DeSmogBlog
NewScientist

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Clearing the Confusion about Climate Change

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