Nowadays, there is much talk about climate change because it has affected many lives, and with that, it is certain that fake news will appear.
What is climate change? 🌦️
Climate change refers to persistent changes in climate and temperatures. These changes may be natural, but since the 18th century, humans have been the primary source of climate change due to their practices, especially the burning of fossil fuels (such as coal, oil, and gas), which produce gases that trap heat.
Unfortunately, social media is full of inaccurate or false information about climate change. Specialists say that the problem is that a large part of the population ends up believing in these falsehoods and, as a result, many actions that are crucial to combating climate change may be compromised.
In this article, we will address common myths about climate change. Here are 5 arguments debunked by science:
1."Climate change is not real."
2."The current climate changes are natural."
3."Climate change is not our problem."
4."The sea levels are not rising."
5."Perhaps climate change is good for us."
1."Climate change is not real."
This argument is disconnected because there is a broad base of scientific evidence, including ongoing global warming and changes in climate patterns over the years. There are many posts on social media being streamed online in different languages.
"These changes are not abstract concepts," says Izidine Pinto, a Mozambican climate scientist working at the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute. "They are tangible and observable changes that climate scientists have extensively studied and documented."
2."The current climate changes are natural."
There was a tweet circulating on the Internet from a French person who incorrectly described global warming as a 'natural' consequence, in which humans have little or no impact. This is constantly echoed by users in virtual communities who question the presence of climate change caused by humans.
To justify this opinion, it is observed that throughout the history of the Earth, various cycles of warming and cooling have been recorded. Many of these periods were caused naturally by changes in the planet and the Sun.
However, scientists concluded that without the burning of fossil fuels caused by human activity, the recent warming trend would not have become so alarming.
3."Climate change is not our problem."
This is also frequently discussed on various networks, especially on X, formerly known as Twitter, in developing countries. They describe this as 'Western issues' with little relevance to everyday life. Some people also claim that climate action is a conspiracy by wealthy nations to hinder the growth of developing countries. Although countries like the USA, the UK, China, and the European Union are the largest contributors to historical emissions, climate change affects everyone, not just the culprits, especially developing countries that are less prepared to cope with these changes. The recent droughts in the Middle East and the floods in East Africa demonstrate these impacts. Farhana Sultana from Syracuse University highlights that climate change has unequal consequences, primarily affecting emerging economies.
4."The sea levels are not rising."
It is suggested that sea levels 'have remained the same' despite global warming, often using photos of coastal areas to illustrate the lack of visible evidence of rising sea levels. However, with global warming, glaciers are melting and, as a result, sea water is expanding due to rising temperatures. According to NASA, the oceans have absorbed 90% of global warming, leading to a sea level rise of 160 to 210 mm over the past 100 years, which has accelerated coastal erosion and increased the likelihood of flooding. Immediate action is necessary, as sea levels could rise by up to 2 meters by 2100, affecting millions of people in coastal areas.
5."Perhaps climate change is good for us."
In cold climates, such as Russia, the rise in global temperatures may initially seem advantageous, but soon the negative effects become significant problems that outweigh the benefits. According to the UN, a 1.5°C increase in average temperature could result in a cost of 54 trillion dollars by the end of the century. The consequences of climate change are broad and severe. Agricultural lands can turn into deserts, island nations may disappear due to rising sea levels, countries may face food shortages, and colder countries may experience frequent wildfires as the climate becomes warmer and drier.
After realizing that many of these myths are nonsensical and contradictory according to science, it is necessary to adopt an informed and proactive approach to prevent this type of information from circulating on the Internet. We also need to take measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, use renewable energy, conserve natural resources, and implement effective policies to tackle environmental challenges.
With a collective and conscious commitment, it is possible to tackle the problems caused by climate change to ensure a sustainable and balanced future. 🌱
FONTE: www.bbc.com
REPÓRTER: FERNANDA FERREIRA
REDATORA: CLEIDYANE SOUZA
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