Once again, a heat wave has broken another record, and extreme weather has swept across the country. People are discussing climate change (rightfully so) in break rooms and family chat groups. But there’s always that one person who dismisses the issue. IMAGE: Pexels
The person that says, “Oh, this whole climate change thing is just scaremongering. The weather used to change all the time back in the day, too!”
Want to push back now? These three simple, science-backed arguments will help you refute the typical criticisms.
#1 The pace is unprecedented
- The claim: “Climate fluctuations have always existed—it’s a natural cycle!”
- The response: Yes, the climate has changed in the past, but over the course of tens of thousands of years. However, since the beginning of industrialization, we have been driving temperatures up at a historically unprecedented rate. Nature and the sun alone cannot account for this rapid rise in temperature over the past few decades.
#2 The “chemical fingerprint
- The claim: “I don’t think humans are to blame for this.”
- The response: This can be proven with precision in a laboratory. Fossil fuels, such as coal and oil, have a very specific chemical fingerprint, or carbon isotope, called C12. Measurements of the atmosphere show that the concentration of C12 carbon in the air is rising dramatically.
#3 There is no longer any scientific doubt
- The claim: “Scientists don’t even agree with each other!”
- The answer: Yes, they do. The debate among experts is long over. A large-scale meta-study by Cornell University analyzed over 88,000 scientific climate studies. The result? The scientific consensus now stands at over 99%. If you deny human-caused climate change today, you’re going against the collective body of modern research knowledge.
Three clever responses to climate change deniers:
#1: “Okay, I see. So, you’re essentially disagreeing with the vast majority of the global scientific community and suggesting that nearly all universities, Nobel laureates, and research institutes are either deceitful or incompetent. I’m not a climate scientist, but what qualifies you to make this bold claim?”
#2: “That’s an interesting theory! If 99 out of 100 doctors tell you that you need surgery on your leg, would you say, ‘Oh, come on, that’s nonsense—my knee stopped hurting once before without surgery’?
#3: “Seriously, though: What possible motivation would tens of thousands of researchers in over 100 countries—from the U.S. to China to Europe—have to come up with the exact same lie? Are you really buying into some kind of global conspiracy theory here?”
Dig deeper: Links for further reading
To feel even more confident going into the next discussion, look up the facts and figures in detail:
- The 99% Consensus Study (Lynas et al., 2021): This scientific paper from Cornell University demonstrates absolute consensus among climate researchers.
- The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC): The IPCC’s reports summarize the global state of climate research and describe human influence as “unequivocal.”
- Skeptical Science: An excellent, scientifically sound platform that systematically debunks every myth spread by climate change deniers.
What does climate change mean for our vacations?
Global warming should also prompt us to rethink our travel habits. For inspiration on travel and climate change, check out the Green Travel Blog.
