Thinking about climate change data skepticism
We sometimes get questions about the climate data used in our work and whether it’s realistic or inflated to ring the alarm bells. Honestly, at times, the data we present is alarming! But we trust it. Despite the scientific (and global) consensus on this subject, many people remain suspicious. One hypothesis, beyond simply denial, is a misunderstanding of how climate data is produced.
Where does distrust in climate data originate? We have a few ideas:
Scientific data can be difficult to interpret without specific expertise.
Misinformation spreads fast online and can erode trust in reliable information sources.
Some of the biggest industries are unapologetically casting doubt on climate science.
People tend to favor information that reinforces their existing beliefs. If someone holds that global warming poses no threat, they will likely dismiss data indicating otherwise.
Climate change science is not new. It dates to the 19th century, thanks to people like Joseph Fourier, Eunice Foote, and John Tyndall. Their extremely technology-limited discoveries still hold true today. Different sources contribute to our understanding of climate change; some provide historical details, and others provide contemporary accounts and future projections. These, among others, include:
Academic and research institutions, one being the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP). Their climate models (like CMIP) are used across the private and public sectors, in the IPCC reports, and right here at EK Consulting. These models are evaluated for accuracy by ‘hindcasting,’ or replicating the climate of the past 100 years.
Government agencies like NOAA that collect, analyze, and publish vast amounts of climate data, serving as a basis for many of the climate change projections we analyze.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), composed of leading scientists from around the world who analyze climate data and provide comprehensive reports about its impacts, risks, and solutions.
Even industries you wouldn’t think of. Exxon Corporation, for one, was a pioneer in producing credible climate change data in the 1970s and 80s. Their climate scientists conducted groundbreaking studies that revealed greenhouse gas emissions would significantly affect our planet.
Coming back to the original question of whether climate data can be trusted, consider these four reasons:
Academic institutions and government agencies publish transparent methodologies and results, making their studies easy for others to replicate and confirm findings.
Predictions made by earlier climate models, including those created through Exxon's research, have generally matched observed climate trends, providing legitimacy to present-day data.
Scientific research must go through an exhaustive peer-review process in which other experts review its data and methodologies to ensure its accuracy and credibility.
The overwhelming majority of climate scientists agree that climate change and its anthropogenic causes are real. Many verifiable studies and data point to similar conclusions.
