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© Crown copyright Met Office
Where do I discuss climate science online?
• Twitter:
• Blogs: www.bishop-hill.net
climateaudit.org
judithcurry.com
allmodelsarewrong.com
© Crown copyright Met Office
Why do I discuss climate science online?
• Stay informed about what’s going on, and tell people what I’m doing
© Crown copyright Met Office
Why do I discuss climate science online?
• Tell people about my own science & discuss it
© Crown copyright Met Office
Why do I discuss climate science online?
• Crowd-source information for IPCC writing
© Crown copyright Met Office
Why do I discuss climate science online?
• Try to better inform a controversial debate…
• Be visible as a climate scientist discussing science
• For many people, the only impression they have of discussions between climate scientists is the Climategate emails
• Find out what other people think about the science and its implications, and why
• Includes both sceptics and activists
• Try to address misunderstandings / misrepresentations before they propagate further
• Again, includes both sceptics and activists
© Crown copyright Met Office
Who are the contributors to climate sceptic blogs?
• Very wide range of understanding and opinions:
• Some appear to be incurably cynical* of the entire concept of man-made global warming
• Some accept that warming is happening and there is a human contribution, but are unconvinced that it is a significant problem
• Some have little in-depth knowledge of the science
• Some are well-informed, & read (& occasionally find errors in!) scientific papers. Some are scientists themselves
* The label “denier” tends to offend & close off discussion
© Crown copyright Met Office
What are the attitudes towards climate scientists on sceptic blogs?
• Undercurrent of mistrust towards climate scientists, eg:
• Perceptions / accusations of malpractice / incompetence, esp. through Climategate / Hockey stick affairs
• Perceived political motivations – climate science seen as closely tied to Green or left-wing politics, or as part of government control & taxation
• Seen as scaremongering in order to gain funding
• Feelings of marginalisation – excluded from discussion
• Welcome discussion with scientists (sceptics often stonewalled)
• Often have genuine questions about the science and like to hear the answers
• Arrogant, impatient attitudes tend to send the discussion of the rails
• A civil attitude generally promotes a response in kind
© Crown copyright Met Office
Can a productive conversation be had?
• Yes!
• Don’t underestimate audience
• Stay calm, polite and respectful even when responding to criticism, and especially when correcting inaccuracies / misconceptions
• Exert your right to insist that others do likewise!
• Be open about scientific uncertainties – don’t worry about things being “misused”. This is science, not law.
• Remember a potentially large audience of “lurkers” (people who read without responding). Often this is the main audience you are reaching, not the people who are replying to you.
© Crown copyright Met Office
Is there room for doubt?
• Scientists are here to find the truth. Our job is to ask questions
• Level of certainty varies widely for different aspects of climate science
• Uncertainty cuts both ways in informing decisions
• Over-simplified messaging in “Climate communication” sometimes seen as brushing uncertainties under the carpet, and can close down scientific discussion
• “Doubt is not to be feared, but welcomed and discussed” – Richard Feynmann
© Crown copyright Met Office
A blog by a scientist where sceptics are invited…
Allmodelsarewrong.com
(Tamsin Edwards, Bristol University)
© Crown copyright Met Office
Not communicating climate change but communicating climate science
• I do not aim to convince people to take action to mitigate climate change
• Plenty of others trying to do that already
• Instead, my aim is to help people understand & trust the science so they can make their own decisions
• Reputation of climate science is tarnished. Need to rebuild trust
• Climate science is an active, evolving science, with big questions still to be answered
• Pretending we have all the answers is seen through and simply maintains the loss of trust
• Sitting round agreeing with each other is boring