Exaggeration of science threatens the environmental movement

The environmental movement is at risk. Many advocates are distorting scientific evidence to support their claims and call to action. This approach only adds to public confusion and uncertainty in the environmental movement. Unless advocates and interests groups take a new approach, the environmental movement could be at risk.

Climate change is very difficult to attach to specific natural events. Most changes in our climate occur over long periods of time. The day to day impact of climate change is very hard to measure or detect which makes it difficult for climate change advocates to find an appropriate focusing event. In fact, some interest group’s desperate attempt to bring attention to climate change has lead to an exaggeration of scientific data. The Times reports that there has been a growing trend for interests groups to exaggerate and twist the scientific consensus. When these statements are made, the legitimacy of the environmental movement is hurt. Skeptics of climate change can easily disprove false claims, which can undermine the entire environmental movement. Instead of looking for specific natural events, advocates of climate change should focus their attention elsewhere.

Due to the nature of climate change, the focusing event will most likely not be a single natural disaster. Because of the complexity of our climate, it is impossible to attach a direct cause to one specific natural event. Although many environmental advocates rightly point to melting sea ice and rising sea levels as reason to act today, it is important not to over simplify and misrepresent the scientific consensus.

Instead of undermining scientists and adding to public confusion, advocates should use the change in the Obama administration as a chance to move forward on a new environmental agenda. With a new administration that puts a greater emphasis on environmental action and that is moving forward to pass new legislation, advocates should take a new approach to pushing their agenda. Advocates in favor of better legislation should work with the science and the Obama administration.