Explode those Climate Myths

21/05/2007

Our planet's climate is anything but simple. All kinds of factors influence it from massive events on the Sun to the growth of microscopic creatures in the oceans and there are subtle interactions between many of these factors. Yet despite all the complexities a firm and ever-growing body of evidence points to a clear picture: the world is warming this warming is due to human activity increasing levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and if emissions continue unabated the warming will too with increasingly serious consequences.Yes there are still big uncertainties in some predictions but these swing both ways. For example the response of clouds could slow the warming or speed it up. With so much at stake it is right that climate science is subjected to the most intense scrutiny. What does not help is for the real issues to be muddied by discredited arguments or wild theories.So for those who are not sure what to believe here is our round-up of the 26 most common climate myths and misconceptions.