Friday, April 25, 2008

Anti-intellectual Climate Change Deniers

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Prof. Brook nails it.
An Adelaide professor says scientists must do more to stand up to "anti-intellectual" climate change deniers, by explaining the difference between good science and spin. University of Adelaide Professor Barry Brook, director of the Research Institute for Climate Change and Sustainability, said in climate science and policy there were still a few, apparently well-educated people who continued to deny the vast body of scientific knowledge and analysis.
He said they were variously called sceptics, denialists, contrarians, delayers or delusionists. "Whatever the label you attach to them, they are all cut of the same anti-intellectual cloth," Prof Brook said in an article published in the latest issue of Australasian Science. "Their business is the dissemination of disinformation, doubt and unscientific nonsense." Climate change deniers 'smear science'
Scientists must work harder at making the public aware of the stark difference between good science and denialist spin. Scientists should beware of feeding trolls by engaging them on their terms. Instead be strong, well-informed advocates for good science! Don’t think that it is enough to be merely passive bystanders. Good science alone invariably wins these silly debates, but usually not before denialist spin does much damage.
Active and forthright public communication of science is not only an obligation of scientists, but a critical necessity. This is especially true for climate change and environmental sustainability, where we are perilously close to running out of time. Make a Stand for Good Science

2 comments:

  1. Searching for this for some time now - i guess luck is more advanced than search engines

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anon,

    With a little bit of luck, you can assist Professor Barry Brook sharpen his Aussie arguments at his website BraveNewClimate, where trolls be disemvowelled.

    ~IANVS

    ReplyDelete