Critical Thinking on Climate Change: Separating Skepticism from Denial

Published On: January 26, 2014
88 words
Views: 1902

Dr Richard Milne, School of Biological Sciences, presents Critical Thinking on Climate Change: separating skepticism from denial.

1hr 20min: This talk is about the psychology behind Climate Science denial and skepticism. It covers:

  1. The science of Climate Change – Could we be wrong?
  2. The claims of ‘skeptics’ – Do they stand up to scrutiny?
  3. Making sense of the debate – The crucial distinctions
  4. Understanding scientists – Consensus and the mavericks
  5. Understanding Denial – Why are some people immune to evidence?

About the Author: Santimvah

Santimvah
Climate State contributor.
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    M. Adams
    M. Adams
    November 1, 2012 7:11 PM

    Where are my science geeks? Check this guys out I think he’s my new hero.
    Smart and funny.

    Dr Richard Milne, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh

    http://youtu.be/gh9kDCuPuU8

    C Ibrkus
    C Ibrkus
    November 8, 2012 1:57 PM

    That is exactly about I talking on daily basis on all of appropriate events
    . We do not need politicians. We need smart people working for better live
    on the Earth. For everyone .

    Daniel Neville
    Daniel Neville
    November 27, 2012 12:22 PM

    A nice summary of the very often disingenuous tricks and claims of climate
    change denialists.

    Christopher Svanefalk
    Christopher Svanefalk
    December 11, 2012 11:19 AM

    Very interesting (and relevant) talk on the difference between genuine
    skepticism and denialism in the context of Global Warming.

    Sharon Katner
    Sharon Katner
    March 13, 2013 1:36 PM

    Check out this video on YouTube:

    Martin Hearn
    Martin Hearn
    March 25, 2013 2:41 PM

    didn’t you watch this video? it talked about cherry picking data and that
    the minimum sample size for climate today should be 30years. so even if the
    earth was cooling for last 17 years (which it isnt, as we’ve had 12 of the
    hottest years on record in that time), you need to look at what’s been
    happening for 17 years before that as well.

    Martin Hearn
    Martin Hearn
    March 25, 2013 2:46 PM

    they do know what caused ice ages. dr milne mentioned it briefly in this
    talk. it’s usually caused by osilations in earth orbit and tilt. you can
    investigate that further, as it wasn’t the main topic of this talk. i live
    in australia and i’d like to know what this billion dollar industy is that
    you talk about. i’d like a piece of that. we are suffering already from
    global warming. my dad is a research scientist with tuna and has been aware
    of this problem since the 70s.

    Galv140577
    Galv140577
    March 25, 2013 6:25 PM

    the antarctic is expanding

    Galv140577
    Galv140577
    March 25, 2013 6:30 PM

    “should be” so it fits the alarmists’ claim, when in reality it should be
    whatever period is relevant. I say that the period during which people are
    being forced to pay tyrannical carbon taxes to prevent global warming is
    the period during which there has been cooling. The last 17 years & it’s
    accelerating. By 2020 we will see the Thames frozen over like it was last
    time the Sun was this inactive. It’s still snowing here & it’s only 5 weeks
    until English summer begins on 1st May.

    Galv140577
    Galv140577
    March 25, 2013 8:41 PM

    XD LMFAO what are you? the replacement troll? How many more of you are
    lined up for me to destroy?

    naturfagstoff
    naturfagstoff
    April 3, 2013 9:20 PM

    A good scientist filters information before he starts to consider it. Or he
    will never reach any conclusion, he’ll be collecting data for ever. The
    analogies of detective-work, makes one ask the question: Has the crime ever
    occurred? Who died? What happened? To arrest people before crimes are done
    will reduce crime, but is not good detective work.

    naturfagstoff
    naturfagstoff
    April 3, 2013 9:28 PM

    the earth warmer in it self. Space is the real cooler of the earth’s
    atmosphere. The sun is the real heat source. No infrared rays from the sun,
    and temp on earth will be -200C. CO2 or not.

    Mikeishere1st
    Mikeishere1st
    April 3, 2013 9:55 PM

    You’re calling me an idiot? I want everyone to look at this chart and tell
    me who is the idiot here? Me or HessenDragoonie? tinyurl (dot) com (slash)
    cadldg2 = NO WARMING in over 16 years! (With all the fear they seem to have
    about ‘catastrophic’ warming you’d think they’d be DELIGHTED AND RELIEVED
    to know it isn’t true but no, out comes their TRUE COLOR – a political
    agenda not science.)

    naturfagstoff
    naturfagstoff
    April 3, 2013 10:38 PM

    On the contrary, they (we) often say, what it it was the other way around,
    and the temperature dropped by 1-2 deg celsius? This would cause global
    problems for us human beings. Food production would drop drastically, and
    people would literary freeze to death. This can cause real problems for
    hundreds of millions of people. And on he goes with a new syllogism about
    Chernobyl and radiation. The same joke, as 3 times before, just with
    different parameters. And then the film Armageddon (Willis) …

    1000frolly
    1000frolly
    April 13, 2013 3:38 AM

    Did he really say “We in the UK have an impartial broadcaster, the BBC”.
    BWAHHAHAAHAHDOHAHADHFOOKOFFHAHAPuke,,,,

    napagusagain
    napagusagain
    April 28, 2013 11:37 PM

    And he actually tried to parse what he considered healthy skepticism and
    deniers.

    James Brown
    James Brown
    May 2, 2013 8:21 PM

    I mean chart

    naturfagstoff
    naturfagstoff
    May 3, 2013 4:38 PM

    Theory is theory. And I will not shut up. Furthermore I do not need the
    paper. You have to prove CO2 rises temperature. It does not. It keeps heat
    from the sun longer in the atmosphere. That is what the teory of Climate
    gases is all about. And time and time we have to say this: It is in the
    LOWER TROPOSPHERE, not at seal-Level, the temp should be rising, if the
    climate gases were responsible for warming. As You well know, this is
    barely the case. Thus there is no real proof that a 33% rise…

    Zephyr López Cervilla
    Zephyr López Cervilla
    May 3, 2013 4:44 PM

    That’s an easily refutable statement, there’re some animal species well
    adapted to live under high concentrations of CO2, eg naked mole rats (or
    any other burrowing animal for the matter). Plants also grow perfectly with
    more CO2. I’m not sure if you’re aware that the increase in atmospheric CO2
    concentration since the preindustrial period has been of about 40%. If you
    are at home with your windows closed, the CO2 concentration inside will
    increase several orders of magnitude over those levels.

    naturfagstoff
    naturfagstoff
    May 3, 2013 5:09 PM

    BBC = Bad Bad sCience

    martenbyebye
    martenbyebye
    May 3, 2013 6:45 PM

    1. please give me the precise reference for the article of this year April.
    2. I find it quite amusing and sad at the same time that the editor of a
    scientific journal actually resigned because he accepted a paper of Roy
    Spencer (because his paper was so flawed!!)! Doesn’t shine a good light on
    your source. Do you have another source showing that CO2 doesnt have a
    warming effect?

    grindupBaker
    grindupBaker
    May 3, 2013 7:22 PM

    For anybody interested in what “Global Warming” is (almost nobody knows
    apparently) it’s an increase in the ocean heat content. Surface temperature
    is a somewhat complex symptom that affects flora & fauna and it’s an
    okayish proxy that depends on how the ocean is mixing, absorbing and
    releasing its heat at any time, including any new heat, it isn’t “Global
    Warming”. For example if “final” (exc. natural periodic vagaries) CO2x2
    average surface temperature of +2.2 degrees C is required in order to

    grindupBaker
    grindupBaker
    May 3, 2013 7:22 PM

    balance in&out TOA radiation (debate-neutral mid point of “best estimates”
    skeptic Dr. Lindzen +1.6 & pro Dr. Hansen +2.8) then “Global Warming” will
    stop when the oceans are ~+2.2 degrees C warmer than about 60 years ago.
    It’ll take a few centuries to mix. Deepest 80% ocean is avge. ~4.4 and that
    will rise to ~6.8 with my example.

    1000frolly
    1000frolly
    May 4, 2013 12:05 AM

    You forgot to insert the words “of non-scientific nonsense” between “lot:
    and “to”.

    1000frolly
    1000frolly
    May 17, 2013 2:16 AM

    “and most of the world population.. “. Are you ready to have a vote on this? -Like right now?

    tstruss912
    tstruss912
    May 17, 2013 3:47 AM

    Gov has experts who SHOULD handle such things based on evidence. That’s why
    your water is clean. Voting is not relevant. But, you should know that
    you’re in the minority, and that the minority is only as big as it is due
    to MASSIVE propaganda.

    N.R Dewi Nurmayani
    N.R Dewi Nurmayani
    May 30, 2013 1:45 PM

    Dr Richard Milne, School of Biological Sciences, presents Critical Thinking
    on Climate Change: separating skepticism from denial.

    Recorded on 11 October 2011.

    naturfagstoff
    naturfagstoff
    June 2, 2013 7:31 PM

    No fingerprint found for CO2 warming troposphere, measurements have been
    done with satellite. Warming at sea level and on ground based thermometers
    are showing increase, but in this part of the atmosphere, water vapor is
    the predominant cause of greenhouse warming. Temp ‘rise’ in lower
    troposphere is in the order +/-0,1C from 1979-2013, confirmed with
    satellite and weather balloons. Thermometer rise in same period: +0,4C,
    caused by water vapor, clouds and sunshine.

    Thurman Ulrich
    Thurman Ulrich
    June 20, 2013 2:26 AM

    The problem isn’t with the experts, it’s with the lobbyist groups. Very
    similar lobbyist groups that propel nations into war under the guise of
    being experts on the matter. You keep citing the number of experts as
    evidence of the events themselves, which is an appeal to authority, is it
    not? It is the merits of the arguments that are to be attacked.

    asargentb
    asargentb
    September 7, 2013 4:00 AM

    BAH!

    mik1984
    mik1984
    October 1, 2013 1:56 AM

    1. Who has anointed climate research experts to be experts on establishing
    the proper judgement on how we should handle the issue of climate change at
    the level of public policy? 2. Are you sure you are not overblowing the
    area of what is the”97%” climatologists actually agree on? “97%” may well
    agree to the mundane fact that climate change is primarily man made, but
    does that make you entitled you rubber stamp this as “97%” of experts
    endorsing the policies you are advocating?

    tstruss912
    tstruss912
    October 1, 2013 4:16 AM

    We live in a meritocracy. That’s how it is in EVERY facet of life in
    America. Should I decide what a corporation does, or should the CEO, a
    person expert in such things? Maybe I can browse on the net for a few hours
    and then be an expert LOL.

    mik1984
    mik1984
    October 1, 2013 4:49 AM

    US is a constitutional republic, I’m not sure that you understand what
    meritocracy really means. Whether the society should act regarding climate
    change more in the direction of prevention or more in direction of
    adaptation, whether radical actions should be taken now regardless of the
    costs or more conservative approach is to be taken, finally does “we the
    people” wish to make any scarifies in their living standard in order to
    prevent climate change – are all matters of public debate …. “lol”

    Giles Calder
    Giles Calder
    October 25, 2013 1:18 AM

    USE YOUR BRAIN

    timobrienwells
    timobrienwells
    October 25, 2013 10:58 AM

    We have had some warming of about .75 C over the last century and a
    half.CO2 is probably responsible for some of it.However the latest data
    strongly suggests that the CO2 effect is quite small and will not lead to
    dangerous warming.Even the last IPCC report[2013] concedes that Climate
    Sensitivity is not as high as previously assumed.Your turn Giles!

    ecologicchannel
    ecologicchannel
    November 6, 2013 3:39 AM

    Thank you!!! Great work.

    Kit Blanke
    Kit Blanke
    November 9, 2013 8:19 PM

    I really wish this had never become politicized. I am an anthropogenic
    climate catastrophe skeptic. I am unconvinced by the evidence I have been
    given before, and came here to find better evidence. All I got from this
    guy was how my skepticism was a masquerade for wanting to disbelieve. I aim
    to learn the truth. And here, I found little.

    laurejon
    laurejon
    November 12, 2013 9:14 PM

    Climate change is real, and man made. Therefore climate scientists can now
    be laid off as their work is complete. We the public believe you, thank you
    for your work and good luck in your new careers.

    helixdq
    helixdq
    November 18, 2013 7:34 AM

    He lost me at what’s 463 * 132. Mathematics is not science, it’s a
    language, and a tool of thought. The answer to that question is arrived
    from complete logical deduction from a few axioms that are postulated
    (without evidence) to be true at the core of number theory. There is no
    need for consensus or empiricism among mathematicians, something is true if
    the demonstration is correct.
    This is completely and i do mean completely unlike the infinitely less
    precise process by which the “scientific questions” in his later table get
    their supposed factual answer. Clearly he wanted to make his muddled field
    of biology look much more rigurous than it is.

    PolemicContrarian
    PolemicContrarian
    November 20, 2013 3:37 PM

    Really good talk. Well in, Dr. Milne.

    Ron nooyer de
    Ron nooyer de
    November 21, 2013 8:43 PM

    The rest of the world took also measures to deal with acid rain?

    jmitterii2
    jmitterii2
    November 27, 2013 8:08 AM

    Fox Noise isn’t news. LOL! Most of us Americans make fun of Fox joke of a 24 hour GOP station. Even right wingers make fun of Fox. Its bunk news yellow journalism.

    wilburjmc
    wilburjmc
    December 12, 2013 2:03 PM

    i wish you would all watch this

    1000frolly
    1000frolly
    December 23, 2013 1:18 AM

    Fuck me!
    The hippies have taken over the University here!

    1000frolly
    1000frolly
    December 23, 2013 1:23 AM

    DiD this Hippie Goose really say; “We in the UK have an impartial
    broadcaster, the BBC”?
    I almost fell off my chair laughing.

    Khyrid
    Khyrid
    January 5, 2014 7:58 AM

    I have always been skeptical of man made climate change, mainly due to the
    politics surrounding it and the people who will look at a single sunny day
    and say “Oh it’s global warming”.

    In any case, I found this video to be excellent. His logic is solid and he
    doesn’t strike me as an evil pseudo science conspirator. On account of this
    video alone, I can honestly say my view has shifted closer to the alarmist
    side.

    4TIMESAYEAR
    4TIMESAYEAR
    January 10, 2014 12:13 AM

    “Gather only evidence against your chosen suspect” is bad science, but it’s
    exactly what the IPCC has done and it’s exactly what all the focus on CO2
    does. They were only looking at man-made CO2.

    Avian Eddy
    Avian Eddy
    January 14, 2014 5:43 PM

    At least the Climate Denier caricature is getting PAID for his
    misinformation. You lot do it for FREE :( #soldyourselfcheap

    William Freimuth
    William Freimuth
    January 15, 2014 2:44 AM

    Denial isn’t a crime……yet.
    As the costs rise, some are going to accountable.
    Good conscience seeks to mitigate disaster. The preponderance of evidence was long since more than adequate and minimal predictions have been vastly exceeded.

    R H
    R H
    January 18, 2014 4:34 AM

    There has been no global warming since 2001. Starting in 1987, the global
    warming doomsday pushers have been threatening disaster. It has been 27
    years and none of your dire predictions have happened.

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