Why Apocalyptic Claims About Climate Change Are Wrong

Why Apocalyptic Claims About Climate Change Are Wrong

• Climate scientists are speaking out against grossly exaggerated claims about global warming.

"Environmental journalists and advocates have in recent weeks made a number of apocalyptic predictions about the impact of climate change. 
Bill McKibben suggested climate-driven fires in Australia had made koalas “functionally extinct.” Extinction Rebellion said “Billions will die” and “Life on Earth is dying.”
Vice claimed the “collapse of civilization may have already begun.”
Few have underscored the threat more than student climate activist Greta Thunberg and Green New Deal sponsor Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
The latter said, “The world is going to end in 12 years if we don't address climate change.” 
Says Thunberg in her new book, “Around 2030 we will be in a position to set off an irreversible chain reaction beyond human control that will lead to the end of our civilization as we know it.”
Apocalyptic statements like these have real-world impacts.
In September, a group of British psychologists said children are increasingly suffering from anxiety from the frightening discourse around climate change.
...Journalists and activists alike have an obligation to describe environmental problems honestly and accurately, even if they fear doing so will reduce their news value or salience with the public.
There is good evidence that the catastrophist framing of climate change is self-defeating because it alienates and polarizes many people. 
And exaggerating climate change risks distracting us from other important issues including ones we might have more near-term control over..."
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