Much like Obama’s approval rating, public opinion towards the significance of global warming has taken a turn for the worse. Global warming has generally been accepted by the public as true, with varying opinions as to the seriousness of the issue. The evidence has always seemed quite reliable. However, this faith in the evidence has been rocked by scandal. A leaked e-mail from the University of East Anglia UK admitted to intentionally tampering with the data to mislead the public. This scandal became known as Climategate and captured new headlines across the country. Whether or not Climategate is to blame for the public’s declining belief in global warming and how to best win back the public’s trust (in the theory of global warming) are both up for debate; a debate in which Nature and the Christian Science Monitor take opposing sides.
Nature magazine argues that for once in their lives, the public has been able to avoid the hysteria that the mass media has tried to provoke. The problem of global warming resonates with different people on different levels and many are going to make their stand more on political or personal grounds than in fact. But the facts still do matter to the public and the scientific community must take measures to ensure that the information that it publishes is indeed undeniable fact. Giving out questionable and disputable data only undermines what proponents for global warming are trying to achieve. Also, scientists need to learn from Washington’s example that closed doors are not a welcoming sight to many, that transparency is the desired method. And lastly, step back on the extremism. Don’t make mountains out of molehills and go claiming the end of the world over small details. However, do bring up legitimate fears. If scientists are simply honest with the people, then you can bet the public will be more willing to look at the facts and realize the dangers of global warming. (A Question of Trust)
The Christian Scientist Monitor takes the exact opposite view on both issues. They put heavy emphasis on the emails for the decline in public belief though. The article briefly mentions that the opinion was already in decline. However, it also points out that Climategate has caused a much faster decline in those who believe global warming is fact. One problem with the email was the amount of specifics describing how scientists have been bamboozling the masses. It’s one thing to be told that one is being lied to. It’s another thing to have it explained in clear detail how exactly it is that one has been deceived. The informality of the email has also sparked considerable outrage. In the public’s mind, the scientists should be taking these issues with the upmost seriousness and acting with professionalism. That the correspondents of the Climategate emails took such a serious issue so lightly was found offensive. (Jonnson)
While both articles try to blame people for the drop off in belief of global warming, neither has stopped to consider the weather. After all, isn’t the climate change debate all about the weather and whether or not it is getting hotter? Neither article mentions that the east coast experienced one of its coldest winters in a very long time. At one point, snow could be found in 49 of the 50 states. It can be hard to cultivate the belief that things are getting warmer when Florida is seeing snow for the first time in years.
Jonsson, Patrik. “Climate scientists exonerated in 'climategate' but public trust damaged.” The Christian Science Monitor (2010). 7 July 2010. Web. 6 Sept. 2010. http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/2010/0707/Climate-scientists-exonerated-in-climategate-but-public-trust-damaged
“A question of trust.” Nature (2010). Article : Nature 30 June 2010. Web. 6 Sept. 2010. http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v466/n7302/full/466007a.html
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