REALITY BITES CLIMATE DENIERS

How reality silenced the climate change deniers

Ryan Cooper, January 28, 2016 (The Week) “The data came in last week…[2015 was] the hottest year ever recorded — whether you ask NASA, NOAA, the Japanese Meteorological Agency, the UK's Hadley Centre, or Berkeley Earth — beating the previous record set only last year…The press and climate scientists gave these their typical examination, and…[concluded they were] certainly caused by humanity's release of greenhouse gases…One traditional part of this routine was missing, however: the usual chorus of climate deniers and trolls nitpicking the data and/or loudly accusing the entirety of the scientific establishment of fraud…[T]hey were notably quiet, particularly compared to previous denier frenzies like the [2009-2010] ‘Climategate’ mess…Google Trends shows a marked decline in searches for "global warming hoax," (in blue below) somewhat but only partially offset by a slight rise in "climate change hoax" (in red)…[Several papers] have found that it's basically impossible to talk somebody out of believing conspiracy theories…But reasoned argument, citation of authority, or sheer fright aren't the only ways…[Denial needs] faux-intellectual toeholds, and is palpably harmed when they are blown to smithereens [by reality]…[T]his shows that denial is not irreversible…[S]ome combination of argument, ridicule, and counter-mobilization, buttressed by undeniable empirical reality [might]…” click here for more

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