Climate change does not exist

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Daily sea surface temperature (°C) averaged over the extra-polar global ocean (60°S–60°N) for all 12-month periods spanning June to May of the following year. The last 12 months (June 2023 to May 2024) are shown with a thick red line, the period from June 2015 to May 2016 with a blue line, and the period from June 2022 to May 2023 with an orange line. All other years are shown with thin grey lines. The light-red colour shading highlights the margin by which daily values in 2023–2024 exceeded previous daily records. Data source: ERA5. Credit: Copernicus Climate Change Service/ECMWF.

Scientific evidence overwhelmingly supports the reality of climate change. According to the World Meteorological Organization’s 2023 report, 2023 was the warmest year on record, with greenhouse gas levels, sea surface temperatures, and sea level rise at unprecedented heights. The past nine years, from 2015 to 2023, have been the warmest on record. These findings align with NASA’s analysis reporting a significant rise in the average global temperature since 1880, primarily occurring since 1975, at an alarming rate.

Contrary to the narrative that climate change does not exist, scientific consensus globally confirms that climate change is real and largely caused by human activities. The European Climate Risk Assessment (2023) and the World Economic Forum Global Risk Report (2024) further emphasize the severe impact of human activity, requiring urgent action to mitigate climate change effects. Among the effects that extreme weather is causing are food and water security threats and the impact on ecosystems. Additionally, the Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) presents evidence of human-driven global warming, highlighting the pressing need for drastic reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

Myth

Climate change does not exist. It is a hoax intentionally created for political or financial profit.

Facts

A prevalent conspiracy theory asserts that climate change does not exist, suggesting that the scientific consensus on this matter is either exaggerated or entirely fabricated. The overwhelming scientific consensus contradicts the myth of climate change as a hoax. 97% of climate scientists agree that human activities are causing global warming and climate change. This consensus is supported by most leading science organizations worldwide.

NASA’s ongoing temperature analysis reveals that the average global temperature has increased by at least 1.1°C since 1880, primarily after 1975. The IPCC’s findings also support this, predicting a more than 50% chance that global temperature rise will reach or surpass 1.5°C between 2021 and 2040 under current emissions scenarios. The European Climate Risk Assessment (EUCRA) echoes these sentiments, revealing that Europe is the fastest-warming continent, facing increasing extreme weather events that threaten the continent’s stability.

Additionally, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA – US Department of Commerce) in 2023, the upper ocean heat content was the highest on record. WMO reports that by 2023, the average height of the world’s oceans was the highest ever recorded since 1993, due to the oceans getting warmer and ice melting. The oceans rose more than twice as fast in the last ten years (2013-2022) than they did from 1993 to 2002.

Myth's Fallacy Explanation

The fallacy that climate change is a hoax often arises from misinformation, selective skepticism and cherry-picking data, or science denialism. By dismissing extensive scientific research and the consensus among experts this myth undermines efforts to address one of the most critical global challenges of our time. Climate change is a critical and urgent global issue. Changes have been documented in the atmosphere, oceans, cryosphere, and biosphere due to climate change. The consensus among scientists worldwide and extensive research highlights the need for climate action in order to mitigate its effects on ecosystems, human societies, and the global economy.