Why Apocalyptic Claims About Climate Change Are Wrong

Michael Shellenberger, Founder - President of Environmental Progress: Environmental journalists and advocates have in recent weeks made a number of apocalyptic predictions about the impact of climate change. Bill McKibben suggested climate-driven fires in Australia had made koalas “functionally extinct.” Extinction Rebellion said: “Billions will die” and “Life on Earth is dying.” Vice claimed the “collapse of civilization may have already begun.” Few have underscored the threat more than student climate activist Greta Thunberg and Green New Deal sponsor Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. There is good evidence that the catastrophist framing of climate change is self-defeating because it alienates and polarizes many people. (Note, John Shanahan: The man-made global warming alarmists could also be just plain wrong that fossil fuels are a major source of global warming. See Ed Berry's articles and over 450 other articles on this website challenging the alarmists. Look under the main tab, ENVIRONMENT.)