Arguments
Debunking Climate Myths from Politicians
Posted on 31 March 2011 by dana1981
Skeptical Science readers know that the main purpose of our site is to debunk climate-related myths. To achieve this purpose, we have created the Arguments Database, and examined what the scientific literature says about each argument. We have subsequently used this database to respond when we've encountered these myths being repeated and propagated, for example by Christopher Monckton, PreventingDisease.com, and Reconsidering Climate Change.
At times we have also made use of the database to debunk myths and flawed arguments made by "skeptic" climate scientists, like Roy Spencer and Richard Lindzen. Recently we addressed a number of myths and misleading statements made by Dr. John Christy in his testimony to U.S. Congress. In watching the associated Congressional hearing, we were disappointed to see many American politicians repeating the same myths which our database has debunked. It appears that these myths have become very pervasive in American politics, and are being used to justify some very anti-science legislation.
As a consequence, we at Skeptical Science have decided that it would be a worthwhile endeavor to apply our Arguments Database to certain politicians who frequently perpetrate the myths we have debunked. We have created a Climate Myths from Politicians Database which pairs quotes from politicians with the corresponding rebuttal in the Arguments Database, and the one-line summary of each rebuttal. John Cook has also created a snazzy new button, as you can see above. Here's a sample of the database:
| Climate Myth | What the Science Says | |
 Sarah Palin |
"The e-mails reveal that leading climate "experts" deliberately destroyed records, manipulated data to "hide the decline" in global temperatures." |
The "decline" refers to a decline in northern tree-rings, not global temperature, and is openly discussed in papers and the IPCC reports. |
 Joe Barton |
"There are just as many glaciers that are growing that are shrinking." |
Most glaciers are retreating, posing a serious problem for millions who rely on glaciers for water. |
 Ralph Hall |
"Recent events have uncovered extensive evidence from the Climate Research Unit (CRU) at the University of East Anglia in England, which involved many researchers across the globe discussing the destruction, alteration and suppression of data that did not support global warming claims. Leaked email exchanges detail attempts to alter data that is the basis of climate modeling. These exchanges reveal actions that constitute a serious breach of scientific ethics." |
A number of investigations have cleared scientists of any wrongdoing in the media-hyped email incident. |
 James Inhofe |
"The claim that global warming is caused by man-made emissions is simply untrue and not based on sound science." |
Multiple sets of independent observations find a human fingerprint on climate change. |
 Dana Rohrbacher |
"The Oregon Institute of Science and Medicine, the OISM, released the names of some 31,478 scientists who signed a petition rejecting the claims of human-cased global warming." |
The 'OISM petition' was signed by only a few climatologists. |
Currently the database is limited to U.S. politicians, but in the near future we will expand it internationally. We hope it will be a useful resource to continue debunking these long-lived myths, and help convince politicians to stick to the facts. Never let it be said that we at Skeptical Science aren't optimists!
Readers are encouraged to add to the database by providing quotes and source links in the comments for any politician. We did a thorough search for quotes from Democratic politicians, but were unable to find any which qualified (the myth must be debunked in our Arguments database); however, quotes from politicians of any political party are welcome and appreciated!
NOTE: The short URL for the Climate Myths from Politicians is:
http://sks.to/skepticquotes
An informative list of the known attitude of Australian federal politicians to climate change is here
I hope you extend your database to include Australians. " Maurice Newman, the chairman of the Prime Minister's Business Advisory Council discusses climate change and says that there is little correlation between carbon dioxide and the warming of the planet."
http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2014/s3990190.htm
"MAURICE NEWMAN: They all come up with flawed methodologies. So we don't pay any attention to that. We know that there are a whole host of scientists out there who have a different point of view, who are highly respected, reputable scientists. So the 97 per cent doesn't mean anything in any event because science is not a consensus issue. Science is whatever the science is and the fact remains there is no empirical evidence to show that man-made CO2, man-made emissions are adding to the temperature on earth. We haven't had any measurable increase in temperature on earth for the last 17.5 years. If you look back over history, there's no evidence that CO2 has driven the climate either. So I know that this is a view which is peddled consistently, but I think that the edifice which is the climate change establishment is now starting to look rather shaky because mother nature is not complying."
" I just look at the evidence. There is no evidence. If people can show there is a correlation between increasing CO2 and global temperature, well then of course that's something which we would pay attention to. But when you look at the last 17.5 years where we've had a multitude of climate models, and this was the basis on which this whole so-called science rests, it's on models, computer models. And those models have been shown to be 98 per cent inaccurate."
Skeptical Science, Please at President Donald Trump to the list of politicians. “For too long, the Environmental Protection Agency has spent taxpayer dollars on an out-of-control anti-energy agenda that has destroyed millions of jobs, while also undermining our incredible farmers and many other businesses and industries at every turn,” This has been quoted from url: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2016/12/07/trump-names-scott-pruitt-oklahoma-attorney-general-suing-epa-on-climate-change-to-head-the-epa/?tid=a_inl&utm_term=.254fc501733e
Skeptical Science Please add Scott Pruit to the politicians list. Pruitt was quoted as saying: “The American people are tired of seeing billions of dollars drained from our economy due to unnecessary EPA regulations, and I intend to run this agency in a way that fosters both responsible protection of the environment and freedom for American businesses.” Quote is from url: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2016/12/07/trump-names-scott-pruitt-oklahoma-attorney-general-suing-epa-on-climate-change-to-head-the-epa/?tid=a_inl&utm_term=.254fc501733e
Please be aware that President Donald Trump is an avid and blatant rejector of nearly all concerns for the ecology, enviroment, sustainable society and climate change.
Refer to url: http://www.climatecentral.org/news/trump-cabinet-climate-change-20920 Refer to url: https://www.ioes.ucla.edu/article/environmental-future-trump-administration/
Earch url has been archived at url: https://web.archive.org/ This is so recorded substantiation of their positions may not inadvertently "evaporate" and thereby become deniable.
broadbarrel,
Looks like readers and mods are ignoring your series of requests and I think rightly so.
Because you advocate to engage with current POTUS and his staff about climate science at the level this site represents. Such engagement is simply impossible. To engage with current POTUS about anything (not just climate science) is like descending to a mudpool to resttle with a pig. No one wants to engage in such a dirty fight. Certainly you want to raise the alarm in media when pig's ravagings are becoming dangerous/destructive (and that's how recent political articles on SkS do comment on some POTUS actions) but a sane person must just stop there. It would be more productive to engage in a clean, positive way. Following my analogy, even a pig can do noble things, e.g. help to plough a field in search for truffles. The equivalent of truffles for current POTUS would be money and fame and unlimitted dating of young girls. Again, that's the only level you could engage on, and this site should not be interested in such engagement.
If this post is frowned upon by mods because it goes way too derogatory on my POTUS (I'm US citizen voting in WA state). Even though First Amendment allows me to freely express my opinion hereabove, I still would be liable for defamation if I tried to e.g. say publicly similar thing about an MP in my country. I can't help it, because saying anything non derogatory on my POTUS would be hypocritical for me.
[DB] Manpower is the sole limiting factor in keeping lists such as the Politicians List updated.