Climate change is nowadays a frequently discussed topic. It is spoken of over television, the internet, newspapers and magazines, but the level of awareness is
still not as high as it must be.

Similarly, there are a number of myths regarding climate change that still prevail. In order to takes substantial steps to counter climate change, people must stay informed regarding the actual facts. Busting myths is a part of that process.

Let us take a look at top 20 myths regarding climate change:

1. Extreme weather has historically been the norm

Anthropogenic processes alter the natural cycles and are broadly defined as the human impact over the globe’s climate. Combustion of fossil fuels and deforestation are examples.

2. Why believe that humans are responsible for climate change?

High CO₂ emissions that arise from human activity is the number one contributor to climate change. Frequent climate hazards and warmer weather over time are some of the repercussions.

3. Cold weather and snowfall implies that climate change isn’t real

Cold weather and snowfall does not imply that climate change is not real. The seasons will be in place even if climate change attains its full potential. The earth orbits around the sun and has an axial tilt, which gives rise to seasons.

4. Climate models are as unreliable as weather forecast models

Climate and weather forecast models have differences amongst them. Weather forecasts predict how cool or warm is it going to be, or if it will be overcast. Climate models instead make predictions about how a place will look different 30 years down the line.

5. Back in the 1970s, a magazine claimed that the ice age was coming and all scientists agreed

All scientists never agreed to this notion. It was just what the magazine journalists, editors and a few of the people believed. The article writer has now himself debunked the theory.

6. We are warming because we are recovering from an ice age

The ice age prevailed 12,000 years back. Over the 10,000 years that followed, earth’s temperature increased by 4^OC. But human activity has heated up the earth by 1 ^OC over past 150 years. In next 85 years, earth will be warmer by 1 to 4^OC owing to human activity.

7. Scientist overlook urban data for their findings

Scientists do not ignore urban findings for their results. They decisively conclude that cities heat up more than rural areas owing to higher greenhouse gas emissions.

8. It once used to be warmer

Through the earth’s history, there have been warmer phases, but there used to be greater differences in earth and sea levels.

9. Climate change has positive impacts as well

Even flu has positive impacts, but overlooking the negatives is not the requisite way to go about it. Promotion of climate change as positive is inspired by political or social interests.

10. Arctic is losing ice while Antarctic is gaining ice

No, Arctic and Antarctic are both losing ice. This does not do us good as sea levels rise, leading to floods and humanitarian crisis. Salty sea water renders fertile land infertile.

11. A number of scientists are opposed to the idea of climate change

We should keep faith in the scientists who reveal results of their own findings. Their research is truly reliable. 97% climate experts have a consensus that global warming is caused by humans.

12. Climate change is no settled science

We do come across fresh findings in research related to climate change. But meteorology and cancer research also fall in the same category. In spite of that, both of the latter sciences provide us with sufficient resources to act, warn against risks and make decisions.

13. The sun is causing climate change

Sun does heat up and sustains life over the planet. But earth’s warming trends are not in sync with the solar cycles.

14. Global warming is now called climate change because there is no evidence of warming

Climate change is a broader term that adds more scope to the issue. Till a few years back, media used the term global warming while research forums frequently used the term climate change.

15. Greenhouse gases are small in quantity and don’t make a difference

As compared to nitrogen and oxygen, greenhouse gases are lesser in quantity. But we survive the night due to the greenhouse effect, else it may be too cold. Vegetation induces greenhouse effect. Human induced CO₂ emissions are an excess, and induce climate change. Those, we must reduce.

16. Climate change will not affect me

Climate change affects all living organisms. The trend has prevailed since decades now. As an example, a higher intensity and frequency of tornados and hurricanes are a direct result of climate change.

17.Climate change is an issue for the future

Action against climate change should not be delayed for a safer present and future. Sea levels must be maintained at the present position and so must the percentage of CO₂ in the atmosphere, which renders a direct effect over average temperatures across the world.

18. National governments alone can act against climate change

We can make a difference at an individual level as well by committing to sustainable sources of energy, going vegan, planting trees and being a part of global movements against climate change. 

19. Climate change is but an environmental issue

While the issue is environmental, the repercussions go far beyond. It renders an effect over food production, access to energy and fresh water, sea levels, wildlife habitats, average temperatures, and frequency of natural calamities.

20. Climate change is a natural cycle

Events of climate change that have occurred in the past were a result of natural factors. But human induced carbon emissions in the environment are a significant influencer for climate change. CO₂ concentration in the atmosphere is now higher than it have been in
past 3 million years.

Conclusion:

Climate change comes by as a matter of significant proportions and must be acted upon at individual, organizational, local, national and even international levels. Choices
that we make in terms of lifestyle, household energy use, and family sizes all affect climate change.